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Office of International Services

How To Apply For Curricular Practical Training

Please begin the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) application process early.  We recommend you start at least one month prior to your expected start date.

Secure a position. You will need an offer letter in order to apply for CPT. The offer letter from your employer must include the following items: (1) Job title, (2) job description, (3) salary, (4) number of hours you will work per week, (5) start date, (6) end date, and (7) employer’s office location. If you are working remotely, the offer letter should include the employer’s address AND your home address, along with confirmation that you are working remotely. If you do not have all of the details listed above please request these details be added, as you will not be authorized for CPT until all 7 components are confirmed in writing by the employer. If you will be working remotely, the offer letter must explicitly state that you will be working remotely. If you need help finding a position or would like to improve your interviewing skills, resume or want to learn about the expectations of American employers, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor at the Career Development Center.

E-mail or hand the CPT Employer Form to your future employer and ask them to complete it, sign it (digital signatures accepted), and give it back to you. You will upload it in GlobalHome as part of your CPT application.

  1. Follow this link to go the CPT request in GlobalHome.
  2. You will have to view a presentation on CPT rules and regulations and pass a quiz to prove your understanding. You will have to pass the quiz with a score of 100% in order to move forward.
  3. Complete the CPT application, which includes uploading your offer letter and employer form. You will also have to list which course you will take for your CPT enrollment and enter the name of your academic advisor. Your request will then automatically be forwarded to your advisor for review.
  4. If you are a graduate student, your request will then be forwarded to your DGP to review and approve.
  5. At this point your application will be forwarded to the Career Development Center for review and approval. Once they have approved your CPT application, the Career Development Center will forward your application to OIS.  You will receive an automated email from OIS when this occurs.
  6. OIS will review your application materials to confirm if you qualify for CPT. If your application is approved by OIS, you will receive your work authorization documents within 10 business days. OIS will e-mail you when your work authorization documents are ready. You may not begin working until you have these authorization documents in hand from the OIS office; to do so would be a violation of your immigration status.

PROCESSING TIMES: Total processing time (from when you submit your application in GlobalHome to when OIS issues the new I-20) is 2-3 weeks. OIS reserves the right to take up to 10 business days to process your I-20 from the time we receive your application from the Career Development Center. The total time will depend on how long it takes your academic advisor, DGP (if applicable), and the Career Development Center to review your application. Any questions or issues with the information you provided will slow down your processing time. OIS cannot expedite processing of your CPT application. If your new I-20 cannot be obtained in time for your requested start date, then you will need to negotiate a later start date with your employer. Please note: it is not possible to backdate your CPT start date. Do NOT begin your employment if your CPT has not yet been approved.

You should always accept a job offer in good faith! When you accept an offer, you should have every intention of honoring that commitment. Accepting an offer only as a precautionary measure is misleading to the employer and may restrict opportunities for others who are genuinely interested in that employer. It may also harm the Career Development Center’s relationship with the employer and cause them to deny your future CPT applications.

If you accept an offer, notify the Co-op office and withdraw from any recruiting processes immediately. Let employers that are actively considering you for a job know that you are withdrawing. It is also good practice to speak with your academic advisor or DGP if you are faced with a dilemma about accepting a job offer. Your academic advisor or DGP can help you make the best decision and advise you about professional expectations. For more information regarding students’ responsibilities when accepting job offers please visit the NACE – the National Association for Colleges and Employers or contact the Career Development Center.