Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary employment authorization for an “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
- CPT can only be authorized prior to your degree completion for a work experience that is in your major field of study and considered to be “an integral part of an established curriculum.”
- CPT can be authorized for a work experience (e.g., internship, job in your major field of study) that is part-time (20 or fewer hours per week) or full-time (over 20 hours per week) if you meet the CPT eligibility requirements.
If you are authorized for a cumulative total of 12 months or more of full-time CPT at a degree level, you are ineligible for Optional Practical Training at that degree level.
Eligibility: You must meet ALL of the following criteria in order to request CPT
- You are a degree-seeking student in valid F-1 status;
- You completed one full academic year (Fall & Spring semester) of continuous full-time enrollment
- Summer enrollment does not count towards the one year full-time enrollment requirement
- You are currently enrolled full-time at CU Boulder or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL);
- If CPT will occur during winter or summer break, you must be enrolled in the next consecutive term (e.g., Summer-> Fall; Winter-> Spring)
- Maintaining an on-campus presence through enrollment in at least one on-campus course requiring physical presence on campus even in your final semester
- If you plan to graduate in the summer, you must still be registered for credits that require on-campus presence in the summer; enrolling in only distance credits is not sufficient.
- You have a job offer (offer letter and position description) for employment in your major field of study (not minor or previous major) where there is a direct employer-employee relationship (not 1099 contract employment);
- The job is not related to marijuana industry (including working in a lab extracting CBD oil for medical purposes); AND
- You must complete the CPT Agreement Form (including employer and Career Services signatures).
Do not start working until you have a new I-20 authorizing your CPT.
To learn more about CPT:
- Review the CPT Request Process presentation.
- Review the CPT Instructions/Process Handout.
- Review the Career Services website and/or meet with a Career Counselor.
- You may also refer prospective employers to the Employer's Guide to Hiring International Students.