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The University of Tennessee

Center for International Education

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Student Services » Practical Training » Curricular Practical Training


Curricular Practical Training

What is CPT?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as training that must be "an integral part of an established curriculum." The employment must be directly related to a student’s current major field of study. If the work is not a required or an elective component of a student’s degree program, the student must apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Am I eligible?

CPT can only be used during a student’s program of study. A student must be in legal F-1 status in order to be eligible to apply. In addition, a student must also have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one full academic year. Graduate students in programs that require immediate participation in CPT may have the academic year requirement waived.

Students are not limited (in theory) to the amount of CPT they may use. Note: Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for any OPT. Full-time CPT is defined as more than 20 hours per week, while part-time CPT is defined as 20 hours or less per week. Students engaging in part-time CPT must be enrolled full-time.

In order to apply, students must have an offer of employment from an employer offering work that qualifies as CPT. Permission to work is granted by CIE. Students may engage in CPT only for the specific employer, location and period approved by CIE. Each CPT period is granted based on the official UT academic semester calendar published by the Registrar.

Four Qualifying CPT Categories

  1. Degree Requirement - The practical experience is required of all students in the degree program and the major field of study. If a particular major or curricular track requires CPT, the student may qualify.
  2. Regular Course Requirement - The work experience is part of the regular requirement for a course in which a student will be receiving credit. The course requirement must be stated in the UT catalogue. Independent study courses DO NOT normally qualify.
  3. Established Academic Internship - The work experience is part of a placement made by one of UT’s CO-OP offices or is a placement made by an academic department into one of their established internship programs. Note: This internship opportunity must be available to all students in the department/college. It cannot be created for one particular student.
  4. Gathering Essential Data - The work experience is required in order to gather essential data that is crucial to the successful completion of the thesis/dissertation. Note: The authorized CPT period should reflect only the amount of time necessary to gather the essential data. CPT in this category will not be granted during a student’s last semester.

Steps to Follow

You must attend a CPT seminar to obtain the necessary information and documents. Please refer to the International Student Services calendar of events for dates and times of Curricular Practical Training seminars.

There are several steps involved in obtaining the permission to engage in CPT.

  1. Obtain an employment letter from the employer. The letter should be on letterhead and should clearly state the job title (e.g. intern, trainee), the job description, the location of the job (i.e. city, state), the exact starting and ending dates, the number of hours per week, and any salary agreements. (If any detail is missing, CIE will not be able to grant CPT.)
  2. Get a letter from your Academic Advisor on UT letterhead verifying that the Curricular Practical Training is a integral part of your degree program. Sample letters are available available during the seminar.
  3. Submit every original I-20 you have obtained from every school you have attended as an F-1 student.
  4. Fill out the CPT Student Form.
  5. Submit a copy of your I-94 (front & back).
  6. Submit an academic history dated no more than two weeks, which is available in the Registrar's Office, 209 Student Services Building.
  7. Submit a copy of your class schedule, which is available at Circle Park Online or the Registrar's Office.

Quick Check List

Please turn in the materials to CIE as a package.

  • Letter from Employer.
  • Academic Advisor’s Letter.
  • All I-20s (submit copies).
  • CPT Student Form.
  • Copy of I-94 (front & back).
  • Academic History.
  • A copy of your class schedule.

The process takes two weeks to complete once you submit everything to CIE, so PLAN ACCORDINGLY (same-day permission is not possible). REMEMBER: You CANNOT begin employment until you have been granted work permission for CPT on your I-20 by CIE !!

Note: All international students on CPT must maintain the required health insurance coverage.