Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Required CPT applies when an internship, practicum, or similar training experience is a required component of a specific academic program for all students in that program, regardless of immigration status.

Optional CPT applies when a student participates in an internship or practical training experience that is not required for all students in the program but is integral to an established credit-bearing course that is listed in the course catalog and counts towards the student's degree.

CPT is reviewed primarily from a curricular perspective and only secondarily from an employment perspective. It is based on the requirements and structure of the academic program, not solely on a student’s desire to work. Accordingly, CPT must fulfill a specific academic objective that is directly tied to the student's program of study. Employment sought solely because it is beneficial, relevant, or provides valuable professional or personal experience does not qualify for CPT authorization.

Eligibility Requirements

• Student must have been lawfully enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program and physically present in the U.S. for at least one full academic year (3 quarters or 2 semesters) before becoming eligible for CPT. (There is an exception for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in CPT.)
• You must have an internship or training offer that is directly related to your field of study.
•  You must be registered in a qualifying co-op or internship course that grants academic credit for your internship OR the internship must be required for all students to graduate from your program, regardless of immigration status.
• CPT is limited to 20 hours per week, except for:
  • Students registered for full-time co-op programs
  • Students participating in CPT during an approved vacation or break term
  • Students whose programs require full-time practical training (for example, minimum clinical hours)
• CPT must not cause a delay in the completion of studies.
• CPT that takes place during a student's final term cannot be optional and must fulfill an academic requirement.
• CPT employment cannot continue beyond a student's graduation date.

Procedure

• Students participating in the cooperative education program must first meet with their Steinbright Career Development Center Co-op Advisor to initiate the CPT process.
• Students who are not participating in the cooperative education program must meet with their academic advisor to confirm that the proposed CPT is integral to their academic program's established curriculum.
• PhD students requesting CPT for off-campus work related to their dissertation require secondary approval from the Graduate College.
• Once the student has received confirmation, they will submit their CPT application to ISSS for final review. CPT application forms can be found on the ISSS Student Portal.

Duration of CPT

• CPT start and end dates are driven by official term start and end dates listed in the Drexel academic calendar. Students may not engage in CPT-related employment activities before the official CPT start date.
• Extensions beyond the last day of the term (for example, during break week) may be considered by ISSS on a case-by-case basis; however, such extensions cannot continue into the following term.
• Term-by-term CPT authorization is required for all non-Steinbright Career Development Center-designated experiential education programs. On the other hand, CPT for Steinbright Career Development Center-designated co-op programs are authorized according to the established co-op cycle.
• Use of full-time CPT for one year (364 days) or more eliminates eligibility for Optional Practical Training. Use of part-time CPT or international co-op (see below) does not affect eligibility for Optional Practical Training.

International Co-op Approved by Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC)

• CPT authorization is not required for international co-op occurring outside of the US.
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment during each term they are participating in co-op.
• The student's SEVIS Record will remain active.
• Students are advised to obtain a travel signature on their I-20 before departing the U.S. Students who are not able to request a travel signature prior to their departure should follow the instructions on our Travel webpage to submit a Travel Signature Request in a timely manner before returning to the U.S.
• Students may NOT work remotely while physically present in the U.S. without proper work authorization, regardless of where the employer is located. Working in the U.S. without work authorization is considered one of the most serious violations of F-1 status.
• For more information about international co-op, please review SCDC's International Co-op webpage.