Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Graduate students (Master and Doctoral) are eligible for Day 1 CPT and are required by the established curriculum to participate in an internship immediately.

Undergraduate students (Associate and Bachelor) must first complete one academic year (i.e., two terms) as a full-time student at IAU or at another SEVP-certified institution. Please note that the one academic year cannot be for ESL or learning the English language.

Students must be enrolled in full-time courses or on an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) for Program Completion in order to participate in CPT.

Non-degree students and students in the Doctor of Management (DM) program are not eligible for CPT.

F-1 students engaging in 12 or more months of full-time CPT are ineligible for OPT.

Undergraduate (Associate and Bachelor), and graduate students (Master and Doctoral) are required to complete a minimum of two (2) internships to meet the internship requirements of their program. For F-1 students, that is through Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Internships must be directly related to the program of study. F-1 students receiving a paid CPT internship offer must be on W-2 tax filing status.

After securing a CPT position, IAU DSOs MUST receive pertinent CPT documents at least five (5) business days prior to the employment start date. A student cannot start working without receiving the CPT I-20. Unauthorized employment will result in termination. You must apply for CPT before or within the first 3 weeks of the session.

CPT Application Documents

1. Internship Application & Cooperative Educational Agreement signed and completed by both the employer/HR and the student.
2. Offer Letter (sample) sent from your Employer/HR to [email protected]. Offer Letters sent from students will not be accepted.

   The Offer Letter must contain, but is not limited to, the following information:

   • Start Date (as early as the current session start date)
   • Supervisor’s Name and Signature
   • Job Description and Job Duties (must be business-related)
   • Please include the statement: This employment will serve as “Curricular Practical Training” while the student is pursuing his/her [PROGRAM NAME] at International American University.
   • Must be on an official letterhead that includes company contact information (e.g. address, phone number, etc.)

CPT Application Process

1. The student’s CPT will be under review once both documents have been submitted. Information provided from the above documents must be consistent (e.g. start date, contact information, etc.) in order for an IAU DSO to process.
2. Once approved, the Office of Student Support will register you in the corresponding BUS 440/640 Internship Course required for CPT and send you an updated electronic registration form; the Office of Student Finance shall assess the applicable tuition.
3. Students are responsible for completing weekly assignments in IAUonline as well as having their supervisors complete the Employer Satisfaction Survey found under Week 8 upon the end of the course.