Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

General Overview

Off-campus employment, including paid, unpaid, volunteer, or remote work, requires authorization through CPT. 

• Employment must be directly related to your major.  Students with double majors can use either degree for CPT. 
  
• To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed a full-time course of study for at least one academic year (either a fall and a spring semester or a spring and a fall semester).
  
• Students must be enrolled in a designated internship course during the same semester as the employment. For more information on how to enroll, click here.
  
• The total employment (on and off-campus combined) cannot exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students may apply to work more than 20 hours per week during summer term (given it is not the student’s first or final term) and during the breaks between semesters.
  
• Students may ONLY begin working after receiving authorization from ISS in the form of new I-20 with CPT authorization.
  

Application Process for CPT

1. Attain a copy of your Job Offer Letter. See below for Requirements.

2. Complete the CPT Request Form

3. Enroll in an Internship for Credit Course

Upon completion of the steps above, submit your Job Offer Letter and completed CPT Request Form to ISS.  Email the documents to international@wooster.edu or drop them off Lowry 229 at least five business days before the requested start date. Documents must be received by ISS and reviewed prior to employment start.  You may ONLY begin working after receiving authorization from ISS in the form of new I-20 with CPT authorization.

Unauthorized employment will result in the termination of your SEVIS record. Students in violation of employment regulations cannot apply for reinstatement.

Connecting Employment to the Major

While there are many great opportunities out there, not all of them meet the requirements of Curricular Practical Training (CPT).  Jobs and internships must be directly related to the student’s current declared major.  Students will need to clearly show this connection.  See page 3 of the CPT Request Form for more details. 

If the connection to the student’s current major is not clear, the CPT request will be denied. If more clarification is needed, ISS will provide additional guidance.

APEX Fellowship & CPT

APEX Fellowships help to assist with funding an unpaid internship experience. Contact APEX for more information about their application process.

Material on this website is general and for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional legal advice, and you should not rely on it solely when making decisions about your immigration status or reporting requirements.