Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment authorization for international students in F-1 status. As an international student, if you wish to accept employment off-campus, you should pursue Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including internships and practicums that are offered by employers. CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program and you must have a job offer at the time of application. Your CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program.

There are 8 steps to request a CPT I-20:

Meet with your academic advisor to determine whether the specific training opportunity will be approved for academic credit within a course required by your major. Not all departments allow students to take part in CPT.
Register for the appropriate VCSU course required for your major that is related to the training opportunity that you and your academic advisor discussed.
Request that the instructor of the course complete the VCSU CPT Instructor Approval and CPT Letter listed below and write you a letter that includes all of the needed details outlined in the VCSU CPT Instructor Approval and CPT Letter listed below.
Request an Employer Offer Letter from the company hiring you. Provide them with the VCSU CPT Employer Offer Letter listed below so they have an example of what needs to be included in the letter and they understand your CPT from an employer perspective.
Submit the following to the Department Chair or Dean of the department your major is under:
1. Signed VCSU CPT Instructor Approval and CPT Letter form listed below
2. CPT Objective Letter from the instructor that includes the course syllabus
3. Employer Offer Letter
4. Signed VCSU CPT Department Approval form listed below
The Department Chair or Dean will review your materials and if they approve of you completing a CPT they sign the VCSU CPT Department Approval form and email it back to you.
Schedule a time to meet with VCSU's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Shannon Hone, by emailing shannon.hone@vcsu.edu and bring the following to your meeting:
1. Signed VCSU CPT Instructor Approval and CPT Letter form listed below
2. CPT Objective Letter from the instructor that includes the course syllabus
3. Employer Offer Letter
4. Signed VCSU CPT Department Approval form listed below
5. Signed VCSU CPT I-20 Request form listed below
Your materials will be reviewed by the PDSO and if approved, your new CPT I-20 will be issued.