Apply Now!
Apply Now!

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Ask a Question

Eligibility

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.

Students who were previously approved for OPT at the same educational level are ineligible for CPT.

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

Requirements

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.

 

Procedure

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 and company logo (e.g. address, phone number, etc.)
    • If the position is remote, it must be stated on the offer letter.
CPT Application Process
  1. The student’s CPT will be under review once a complete CPT application is received.
  2. Once reviewed, 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. Your CPT will be approved once your enrollment in the Internship Course is confirmed, and a CPT Form I-20 will be emailed to you, along with information & supporting documents for your SSN application (if applicable).
  4. 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.

Failure to complete necessary assignments and the Internship Completion form will result in failure of the BUS 440/640 Internship Course.

FAQ

When can I apply for CPT?

If you meet the CPT eligibility criteria (listed in the Eligibility section above) you can apply for CPT up to a month prior to the start of the session or semester, and no later than Friday of Week 3 of every session. CPT applications should be received no later than 5 business days prior to your desired CPT start date.

When can I start my CPT internship?

You can start your internship as early as the first day of the session or semester, and no later than Monday of Week 4. You must first apply for CPT and receive a CPT Form I-20 before starting your internship.

Should I choose part-time or full-time CPT?

Either part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (21 or more hours per week) CPT  is permitted. To maintain OPT eligibility, students must not engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT per educational level. IAU is not responsible for keeping track of accrued full-time CPT for its students.

 

What positions are acceptable for CPT?

The position must be directly related to your program of study, also known as your “major(s)”. If paid, the position must be on W-2 tax filing status (1099 independent contractor not permitted). Self-employment is not permitted on CPT. In-person, hybrid, and remote positions are acceptable.

What are the company requirements for CPT?

The company can be located anywhere in the US. If they are located out-of-state or too far from your campus, the position must be remote (and this must be specified on the offer letter). CPT employers are not required to be part of E-Verify.

Do I need to be paid on CPT?

While we encourage you to seek paid internship positions, either paid or unpaid CPT is permitted. Only students receiving a paid employment offer are eligible to apply for a SSN.

How much CPT must I complete to meet my program requirements?

If your program requires two internships, you must complete CPT and successfully pass the corresponding Internship Course (BUS 440/640) in at least two sessions. Both internships can be completed with the same company and within one semester.

How can I maximize my CPT employment time?

If eligible, IAU students can enroll in up to two semesters of CPT during their program. This is possible when starting CPT in Session 1 of a semester. When starting CPT in Session 2 of a semester, students can engage in one session plus up to one more semester of CPT during their program.

Will CPT affect my OPT eligibility?

Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for OPT. Students are responsible for keeping track of their accrued full-time CPT time.

Can I enroll in CPT during my Summer vacation?

Students must be enrolled in full-time courses (or on approved final term RCL) for the semester(s) in which they plan to engage in CPT.

What is the cost of enrolling in CPT?

There is no fee to apply for CPT. Students applying for CPT must always be enrolled in the corresponding Internship Course (BUS 440/640) which is worth 1-unit per session and bears tuition.

How can I meet my internship requirements if I am ineligible for CPT or uninterested in engaging in CPT?

There are alternative options to meet your internship requirements. Please contact the Office of Career Services to learn more.

Join the Blue Eagle Family!