Curricular Practical Training

CPT is a possible benefit of F-1 status, not an entitlement. The primary purpose of F-1 status is study, not employment. The ISSO will make determinations of CPT eligibility and will authorize CPT where the proposed training satisfies federal regulations and the UTD CPT program.

F-1 students who apply for internships and are eligible for CPT authorization are providing implicit consent for ISSO to update their SEVIS record with the CPT employment.

Fast Facts

• Starting your internship or co-op experience without an approved, correct CPT I-20 is a violation of your F-1 status. You cannot legally begin working until you have received your CPT I-20 and the start date has arrived. Authorization is only valid once it is on your I-20. If your CPT is extended, you must receive your updated CPT I-20 before continuing employment.
• You must have a job offer to apply for CPT. CPT is issued for a specific set of dates, for a specific employer, at a specific location.
• Employment must be directly related to major and degree level.
• CPT may only be used for internships and co-op experiences.
• CPT authorization is required for F-1 students even if the internship is unpaid. Students who engage in unpaid activities that would constitute ‘employment’ under labor laws are considered ‘employed.’ If an unpaid internship is not covered by an authorization such as CPT or OPT, F-1 students are risking their immigration status.
• You cannot continue CPT after your program completion date. The program completion date is the semester’s degree conferral date in your graduating semester, unless you chose to completing studies based on defense date for thesis or dissertation.
• If you have more than 364 days of full-time CPT, you lose eligibility for OPT. ISSO will not approve more than 364 days of full-time CPT, even if you wish to forfeit your OPT eligibility. Use our calculator to find the total number of full-time CPT days you have used.

Application Dates

CPT Eligibility

• Lawfully enrolled full-time in a U.S. university (in a valid U.S. immigration status that legally allows full-time enrollment) for at least one academic year (two consecutive long semesters) immediately prior to the semester in which the CPT will take place.
• Valid F-1 status at the time of CPT application.
• Currently enrolled in an internship class.
• Good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA for graduates, 2.0 GPA for undergraduates). If good standing is not maintained, CPT authorization will be canceled.
• Meet all CPT requirements of the UT Dallas Jonsson Career Services (all ECS students), JSOM Career Management Center (all JSOM students) or UT Dallas University Career Center (all other students).
• Have not failed a previous CPT course.
• No incomplete grades.
• Must have completed at least one semester at UT Dallas.
• Have not completed your degree requirements.
• Must attend mandatory CPT workshop.*

*CPT workshops are MANDATORY for all students applying for Curricular Practical Training. Your workshop requirements depend on your program of study.

• Computer Science and Engineering students must attend a JCS orientation instead of the ISSO workshop.
• All other students must complete the ISSO CPT workshop online in iComet or in-person ISSO workshop.
• As a courtesy, the ISSO coordinates with the Naveen Jindal School of Management MAS 6102 classes each semester. If the CPT Workshop is presented during your class, you must attend class on the day of the presentation and stay for the entire workshop to receive credit.

CPT Application Process

1. Attend a CPT workshop
2. Report your internship
   • ECS students report to Jonsson Career Services (JCS). 
   • JSOM students report to the JSOM Career Management Center through Orion.
   • All other students report to the University Career Center through Handshake.
3. Enroll in the appropriate CPT class
4. Request CPT I-20 from ISSO
   • ECS and JSOM students – the CPT request will be submitted to ISSO on your behalf. Watch your UT Dallas email address for updates.
   • All other majors – submit a CPT Request eForm in iComet.
     • Log into iComet using your NetID and password, then select F-1 Current Students -> CPT Request. Complete the eForm and click submit.
     • The information you input on the form must match the information approved through Handshake. If the information is inconsistent, your request may not be approved.
     • You will indicate whether you need to apply for a Social Security Number. This is how you get your SSN Letter from the ISSO. It will be attached to your CPT I-20.
5. A $100 Practical Training Fee will be assessed when the CPT is processed.
6. The ISSO will send you an email when your CPT I-20 is ready. Check ISSO processing times.
7. Verify all information is correct. The authorization information is on page two of the I-20. You are responsible for checking that your start date, end date, and employer information is reflected correctly before you start working.
8. Upload a copy of your signed CPT I-20 in iComet.

CPT and Enrollment

• CPT courses are considered to be ‘face-to-face’
• You must enroll in an approved CPT class and obtain academic credit for CPT participation. JSOM students may have the opportunity to participate in one zero-credit hour CPT. Check with your academic advisor about your CPT credit hours.
• Undergraduates must be enrolled full-time each fall and spring semester, even if participating in a CPT.

CPT Reduced Course Load

Graduate students may be eligible for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) based on their participation in a full-time CPT (more than 20 hours per week) that meets the CPT RCL requirements. Part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week) does not qualify for CPT RCL.

You can only use RCL due to CPT once every other long semester. If you use this RCL, you will be required to carry a standard full-time course load in the next long semester, unless approved for reduced enrollment by the ISSO based on another reason, such as a documented medical illness. For example, if you use the RCL due to CPT for fall, then you must take standard full-time course load in spring.

CPT RCL Eligibility

• CPT lasts at least 11 weeks
• CPT is full-time (more than 20 hours per week)
• You did not use this option in the previous long semester.
• You must be enrolled in a UTD course for the entire semester. If your CPT course lasts the full session, then you can maintain your F-1 status by only enrolling in the CPT course. If the CPT course is an 8-week course, then you must enroll in at least one additional course in that takes place in the alternate 8-week session or lasts for the full semester.
• Students are typically not eligible for CPT (and accompanying Reduced Course Load) in first semester of new major/program or immediately after OPT. Per university policy, students must have an established GPA and be in good academic standing in the program that the internship applies to.
• Your academic program may have additional enrollment requirements.Check with your academic advisor.

Full-Time CPT Calculator

If you have more than 364 days of full-time CPT, you lose eligibility for OPT. This calculator will help you calculate the total days of full-time CPT that you have used at your current degree level.

Number of CPT’s:

CPT Frequently Asked Questions

Resources While Working in the U.S.

• UT Dallas Resource – Taxes for International Students
• The Department of Labor (DOL) Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act
• Social Security Administration (SSA) Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employee Rights and Responsibilities
• Internal Revenue Service References for Foreign Students and Scholars
• UT Dallas Career Center
• UT Dallas Jonsson Career Services