Working Off-Campus: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

It is important to always get authorization before starting any off-campus employment. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an opportunity to gain experience in your field of study while you are still enrolled as a student. You could be eligible for CPT if:

• You are in valid F-1 status at the time of application and have completed one academic year of full-time studies.
• You abide by all rules surrounding full-time course registration while on CPT. 
• The CPT experience is either:
  • Satisfying a program requirement placed on all students (full-time registration may vary based on program in this case), or
  • Not a requirement placed on all students to graduate, meaning the student will register for a course related to their CPT in the concurrent term.

Volunteering is perfectly fine, as long as you are not getting paid. Always speak to an ISSS Advisor before accepting any employment or internship to verify your next course of action. You must be authorized for CPT before you can begin working. Talk to an ISSS advisor about your eligibility for CPT during one of the ISSS advising times listed below.