Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with a school. International students wishing to participate in an off- campus training program must obtain CPT.
CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum. In practical terms, "integral part of an established curriculum" means (as defined by SEVP) an opportunity mut be required by the curriculum or, if not required, the student must received credit for the training. A student must be enrolled in their program's internship course to be eligible for CPT.
ELIGIBILITY: Students are allowed to apply for CPT if
- you are currently in valid F-1 status.
the training is “a required part of your academic curriculum.” or, if not required, the student must
- receive credit for the training.
- the training is “directly related to the student’s major area of study.”
- you maintain F-1 status for at least one academic year (3 consecutive quarters).
- the training is paid or unpaid.
- you register for an internship class.
- you are NOT in the filing fee status, such as reinstatement or change of status.
- you are NOT in the final quarter at Louisiana Tech University.
- you maintain your full-time F-1 student status during the academic year while on CPT.
- you have been in the academic program related to internship in question for a full academic year (3 full-time quarters)
CPT APPLICATION CHECKLIST:
- Have an offer of employment. Ask your employer to provide a detailed letter on the company’s letterhead with all the required information. Please see the attached company’s sample letter.
- Have a letter from your academic advisor. Your advisor can complete the attached form or prepare his/her own letter.
- Be registered for an internship class that is listed in the LA Tech racing form. If you are not registered for the internship course during that quarter, we will be forced to cancel your CPT.
LIMITATIONS: Please note that:
- CPT authorization will only be given for one quarter at a time.
- The student must be registered for the course and must submit the letters to the ISO each quarter for which CPT is requested.
- The student may not mix or combine any two or more categories of employment. For example, you may not work on-campus for 20 hours per week, and have part-time CPT concurrent.
- CPT may affect your OPT if a student completes 12 months of full-time CPT. The student is no longer eligible for OPT
- There is no restriction on compensation during CPT. It can be paid or unpaid CPT.
- You may not start working until you received your SEVIS I-20 from the ISO with authorization to engage in CPT.
Our office must review and authorize all CPT requests. You must bring all the required
documents on the checklist above to apply for CPT. Please contact us at 318-257-4321 or iso@latech.edu to schedule an appointment if you have any questions.
