DEFINITION: Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, is off-campus training that occurs prior to graduation.
ELIGIBILITY:
- The student has been “in lawful status” for at least one (1) academic year, unless the student is in a graduate program that requires an internship earlier.
- In addition, CPT may be approved only if the following conditions are met:
- The practical training is directly related to student's major AND the training is completing a specific graduation requirement
OR
- The practical training is directly related to students major AND academic credit can be awarded for the training (Student must be registered for the course(s) at all times during the period of authorized CPT).
Students with an F-1 visa may NOT work as waitresses, bartenders, cashiers, or in other positions that are not required by a degree program.
Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are INELIGIBLE for post-completion OPT. Part-time CPT (20/hr or less) does not affect OPT eligibility.
PROCEDURES:
1. Make sure you understand how restrictive CPT is. Please contact iss@uwosh.edu if you have any questions
2. Search for an Internship or Practicum
Students with an F-1 student visa may begin searching for an internship or practicum just prior to meeting the requirement of being “in lawful status” for at least one (1) academic year (or earlier, if the student is in a graduate program that requires an earlier internship). Students may begin the search by:
3. Apply for an Internship or PracticumStudents with an F-1 student visa will compete with other UW Oshkosh students and with other students in the Oshkosh community for internship and practicum opportunities. Be prepared! To apply for a job, you will probably be asked, at a minimum,
- To submit a job application, available from the employer;
- To submit a resume;
- To submit a cover letter explaining your skills & experiences;
- To submit a list of references and/or letters of recommendation;
- To interview.
To prepare your application properly, make an appointment with a UW Oshkosh Career Advisor or with your faculty advisor.
4. Apply for CPT AFTER Receiving an Internship or Practicum Offer
Students with an F-1 student visa must have a job offer before applying for CPT. You may NOT apply for CPT unless you have an Employment Letter with a specific employment start date.
To apply for CPT:
1. Pick up a "Request for Employment" form letter from the OIE and share it with your employer.
Your employer must send an Original Letter to our office (UW Oshkosh, Office of International Education, Dempsey 202, 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901) and send an email to iss@uwosh.edu containing ALL of the following information:
- Title of curricular practical training;
- CPT start date;
- CPT end date;
- Number of hours of work per week;
- Location of practical training;
- Supervisor's name;
- CPT provider’s address, including street, city, state, zip code;
- Brief description of focus of the training (must be directly related to your major).
2. Complete the Office of International Education CPT Application Form. Your faculty advisor has to confirm your ELIGIBILITY for CPT as listed above
3. After receiving your CPT Application Form, the Office of International Education will determine whether the employment can be approved. If your employment gets approved, OIE will update your SEVIS record and your I-20.
You are legally allowed to start your CPT and any position-related training only AFTER you have received your updated I-20; therefore, you must have the updated I-20 before your effective CPT start date.
