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F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of authorization for off-campus experiential learning and academic activities that are directly related and integral to your major field of study. Examples of experiential learning include an internship, practicum, cooperative education, or fieldwork.
CPT experiences can be paid or unpaid but must be related to your major. It must be approved by an academic advisor or faculty member in your department and authorized by the International Center. CPT authorization must always be granted BEFORE starting or extending employment - the International Center cannot approve CPT for a start date that has already passed. Failure to obtain authorization before starting any CPT experience may be viewed as unauthorized employment, leading to a loss of F-1 status.
Beware of Internship or Job ScamsAll students should be aware of the possibility of job or internship scams. Scams may include getting offers from companies that seem but are in fact not real. Many job scams are designed to get you to pay a fee as a condition of getting the job or internship. If you have to pay a fee upfront, even if you are promised "reimbursement" at a later time, your internship is likely not legitimate. Read more about how to recognize job scams. |
To qualify for CPT, you must be in valid F-1 student status. In addition:
CPT is a pre-completion option for training experiences in your major. Once you have completed your degree requirements (i.e., you have no further academic work you need to complete), you are no longer eligible for CPT.
CPT may be authorized for the following types of experiential learning:
If a student's degree program has a practicum or fieldwork requirement (i.e., all students must complete a certain number of hours in a practicum or fieldwork setting in order to qualify for the degree), then CPT is:
CPT is usually done on a part-time (20 hours per week or less) during the fall and spring semesters. Full-time CPT (over 20 hours per week) is permitted during the summer vacation period.
Full-time CPT (over 20 hours per week) is generally not granted during the fall and spring semesters.
Any student who is authorized for one full year or more (365+ days) of full-time CPT loses eligibility for OPT at their degree level.
F-1 students engaged in paid internships must have CPT or another form of employment authorization. However, even for unpaid internships, the International Center strongly recommends students to apply for CPT. By obtaining CPT authorization even for unpaid training or internship activities, a student:
Note that in many cases internship providers will also require students to obtain CPT approval as a condition of participating in the unpaid internship, in order to demonstrate that the interns are engaged in academic activities rather than employment.
Unpaid Internships Defined. It is also important to realize that the US Department of Labor has set out several criteria that identify when an internship may be legitimately unpaid. Employers who fail to meet the criteria for unpaid internships may be expected to offer paid employment instead, and the interns may be expected to have appropriate authorization. Because an unpaid internship may actually be employment under Department of Labor guidelines, CPT authorization is strongly recommended for that purpose as well. The main criteria that determine whether an internship may be unpaid include the following factors:
If all of the criteria are satisfied then the internship may be considered a legitimate unpaid internship. However, in the event of any uncertainty, then obtaining authorization is recommended.
If you are planning to include an unpaid internship experience as a part of your employment history (i.e., on your resume or CV), then we strongly recommend obtaining a letter from your internship provider that verifies the dates and location of your internship, that your internship was unpaid, and a brief description of the duties and objectives associated with the internship. This information may be useful in the event that you are ever asked to document that the activities were appropriately structured as an unpaid internship.
Under current US federal government practice, CPT approval has an impact on your OPT only in the rare case if you do one full year (12 months or more) of full-time CPT. If this happens, you will lose your eligibility for OPT. Part-time CPT or full-time CPT under 12 months should not have an effect on your OPT eligibility.
CPT is authorized on a term-by-term basis and cannot extend past the start of a new term. Any practical training experience that extends into a new term will require a new CPT application and authorization. Exception: graduate students who have a multi-term internship or practicum requirement, or who are approved for CPT for research activities that are deemed integral to an approved thesis or dissertation requirement, can be authorized for CPT that extends beyond one term. However, students in this situation are obligated to continue to register for internship or research credits and maintain full-time enrollment each term.
You can be authorized to engage in CPT in your final term as long as the following requirements are met:
Some students who are considering CPT may want to think about pre-completion OPT instead. Like CPT, pre-completion OPT allows for work related to your major. However, there some advantages and disadvantages, depending on each student's plans. See the table below. While pre-completion OPT requires preparation well in advance, it does not need a job offer to get started and does not require registration for internship credit, which is a typical requirement for most CPT requests.
Pre-Completion OPT | Curricular Practical Training | |
---|---|---|
Approval Process | Requires application to USCIS which may take 3 months processing time | Approved by International Center once academic department approves the internship experience |
Job Offer Requirement | Does not require job offer to apply | Requires internship offer |
Internship Credit Registration | Not required | Registration for at least 1 internship credit is required if CPT is done for optional (non-required) internship experiences; mandatory internships needed for degree may or may not require internship credit, depending on academic program's policies and procedures |
Impact on Post-Completion OPT | Used time is deducted from overall 12 months of OPT eligibility; e.g., 3 months of pre-completion OPT will leave 9 months of post-completion OPT eligibility | No impact on post-completion OPT unless student is authorized for 12 months or more of full-time (20+ hours per week) CPT |
To qualify for CPT, you must have a job offer from an internship provider. The internship site should provide a letter written on company letterhead that provides the following information:
Once you have an internship offer, it must be reviewed by an academic advisor or faculty member in your department. For Fletcher School students, please complete this form for review by the Office of Career Services and the Registrar.
The academic advisor must determine if the training provides an appropriate learning experience in your major. If your department approves of the experience, they will assist you in registering for internship credit. Registration for internship credit is mandatory (except for programs that have a non-credit internship requirement) and must be completed before requesting CPT approval from the International Center.
If you are a student in Arts& Sciences, Engineering, or SMFA you must register for internship credit through Tufts Summer Session. Undergraduate students will be charged $990 per SHU for the internship course. Graduate students will be charged per their program policies.
Request Deadline
Submit your request for CPT to the International Center by the following deadlines:
School | Fall Semester Deadline | Winter Break Deadline | Spring Semester Deadline | Summer Semester Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|
All schools (except Fletcher) |
End of the add period | N/A | End of the add period | A&S & E students - before the first day of either summer session 1 or 2
All other schools- by the end of the add period |
Fletcher School | End of late registration period | N/A | End of late registration period | Six weeks prior to the start date of Fall classes |
Students in all schools (except Fletcher) should contact their International Student Advisor if they have an exceptional circumstance that allows enrollment in a CPT-qualifying course after the standard deadline.
Requesting CPT
Access the online International Center Portal and access the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request through the Request Center. Follow the instructions provided on the application. The International Center will review your request within 5 - 7 days. If there are any questions, we will contact you.
Summer CPT Registration and Fee Reminder
Remember as indicated above in Step 2, most CPT authorizations require registration for internship credit in the same term when the internship is taking place. This includes the summer session.
Once the International Center approves your request, you will be notified to pick up a new I-20 that contains your curricular practical training authorization (on page 2 of the new form). Sign the I-20 at the bottom of page 1. Also, review the I-20 to ensure that name of your CPT employer and the CPT dates are correct. Talk to your International Center advisor if you have any questions.
Between May and August, graduate and undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences, SMFA, and Engineering must register for an internship (or similarly appropriate course) through Tufts Summer Session in order to obtain CPT authorization. Students should not register for a Summer CPT course through SIS. To do so, you must complete the Summer CPT Online Registration Form. Once your CPT application has been reviewed and approved by the International Center, the Registrar will be notified, and they will add your course in SIS.
Summer session courses for CPT can range from 1-3 SHUs. The International Center staff cannot advise on the number of SHUs earned for a course related to CPT; but for most departments an internship course over the summer requires at least one SHU. Please consult with your academic advisor and department or program regarding the number of SHUs required for your summer internship course.
*Graduate students applying for CPT to satisfy a degree requirement do not need to complete the Summer CPT Online Registration Form. Consult with your department or program for course information related to the degree requirement.
Please Note:
Undergraduate students will be charged $990 per SHU for the internship course. Undergraduate students who are currently receiving financial aid based on high needs may be eligible for subsidy tuition. Make sure to answer the financial aid question on the registration form. You will be notified if you qualify for the subsidy.
Graduate students will be charged per their program policies.
For help understanding your Tufts bill, charges, and payment options, contact Tufts Student Services at 617.627.2000 or studentservices@tufts.edu .