Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
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Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, allows F-1 students to gain practical work experience directly related to their academic program. Essentially, it's a work-study, internship, or similar experience offered through a partnership between your school and an employer, and it must be a required or integral part of your curriculum.
Spring 2026 CPT Workshop Dates (An email will be sent out with the teams link. All sessions are virtual.)
Thursday 02/12 10am
Monday 02/23 11am
Wednesday 03/11 1pm
Monday 03/24 3pm
Friday 04/10 2pm
Thursday 04/23 10am
CPT FAQs
Full Time CPT: 40 hours a week. One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT (We recommend doing only 11 months of full-time CPT).
Part Time CPT: 20 hours a week. Any amount of work within that limit is permissible. Importantly, part-time CPT does not deduct
- Training relates directly to the student’s major area of study.
- Completed a year of academic courses or If you are in a program that requires an internship/practicum before the one year eligibility
- Training is an integral part of the school’s established curriculum.
Student must receive an offer letter before CPT can be authorized. - Graduate students on an assistantship who are working 20 hours are required to complete the GA Workload Waiver. You must attain approval from the Chair of your department or Program Director must submit the request for the waiver to be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School before you make a request for a CPT.
- Student must meet the eligibility requirements.
- Student requests CPT: log in to Terradotta at
- https://louisville-isss.terradotta.com/_portal/ and complete the CPT
- form.
- The Academic Advisor / Program Director will receive an email to approve or denies the CPT request. If approved the form goes to your Coordinator / DSO at ISSS.
- If your CPT has been approved, a copy of your Form I-20 with the CPT authorization will be sent to you. A copy of your I-20 will be available on Terradotta.
- Student signs the Form I-20 and applies for a Social Security number.
- The student can begin work from the CPT start date on the Form I-20.
- Student must have a training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.
- CPT must be authorized on SEVIS before the student can begin work.
- Ends the student’s program end date on the Form I-20.
- One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT (We recommend doing only 11 months of full-time CPT).
- Graduate students on an assistantship who are working 20 hours are required to complete the GA Workload Waiver. You must attain approval from the Chair of your department or Program Director must submit the request for the waiver to be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School before you make a request for a CPT.
- You must be careful not to begin work prior to this approval and the start date requested and you should not continue employment beyond the date authorized on your I-20 unless you apply for and are granted an extension of your permission to work. Either situation constitutes unauthorized work by USCIS.
- If you get another CPT offer, you must fill out the OPT form on Terradotta again.