Internship Procedures for International Students

Internships for international students

Unpaid - Volunteer Internships

• Unpaid/Volunteer Internships are open to all international students.
• Stipends and other forms of monetary compensation cannot be accepted.
• It is not necessary to seek eligibility for such an internship via the Center for International Education (CIE).
• An internship course is optional.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• CPT is an employment option available to students who have an F-1 visa.
• CPT internships are paid and require enrollment in an internship course.
• Students are able to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the regular semester, and a maximum of 40 hours per week during the summer and vacation periods.
• The length of employment may not exceed a period of 12 months, unless for a degree requirement.
• Students MAY NOT begin work at their internship site until given final approval by CIE.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Who can apply?

All students MUST first be approved to participate in CPT by their CIE advisor.

Some initial requirements include:

• Any undergraduate student or graduate student with an F-1 visa.
• Student must have been in the US for at least 9 months.
• Graduating seniors and last semester graduate students are not eligible for CPT.
• Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units.

Why should I participate in CPT?

• CPT offers students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a professional environment.
• Employers are often looking for more than good grades they want to hire student with practical work experience.
• Some academic programs require an internship, which is why many students apply for CPT.

How do I apply?

First obtain approval to participate in CPT by your CIE advisor. Then discuss with your CIE advisor whether you will be enrolling in the Career Development Center's Internship Program or a department-based internship program.

Career Development Center Internship Program

This Internship Program is for College of Business, College of Liberal Arts students and Film and Electronic Arts majors only.

Department Based Internships

In addition to the Career Development Center Internship Program you can also obtain academic credit for your internship through your department. Your CIE advisor can give you the proper documentation for a department based internship, contact your major advisor in your academic department to discuss possible internship courses

Is there a deadline?

Yes, the deadline to obtain CPT approval is the Add/Drop deadline for each semester.

Enrolling in the Career Development Center Internship Program

1. Visit the Internship Office or a Career Counselor for assistance on searching for internships at the Career Development Center.
2. Gain approval to participate in Curricular Practical Training by your CIE Advisor, through an appointment.
3. When you have secured an internship you must bring the following documents to the Internship Program Office, located in the Career Development Center, Brotman Hall 250:
   • Detailed letter of offer from the employer (on company letterhead with representative's signature) listing specific duties, starting and ending date for the position, and salary information. Pick up an Example Letter in the Internship Office.
   • Memo from the Center for International Education which indicates the student's request for approval to engage in curricular practical training with your advisors initials. This must be completed at least two weeks prior to intern employment start date.
4. Submit the above materials to the Internship Office and make an appointment to meet the Internship Program Coordinator.
5. The Internship Program Coordinator will review the documents listed above and provide specific information regarding the Internship Program's requirements.
6. If the internship is approved, the Internship Program Coordinator will then prepare a memo to be submitted to the Center for International Education, certifying the student's enrollment in the Internship Program, and student's intent to participate in an approved internship course. All students will be required to enroll in one of the Career Development Center Internship Program classes (see table below) during the term in which they are completing the internship placement; summer interns will take the internship course in the Fall.
7. Copies of all documents listed above will be kept on file in the Internship Program office, and the student will return all original certification materials to the Center for International Education for final approval.
8. Upon final notification from the Center for International Education, the student is eligible to begin working at the assigned site.

Classes for Internships

Course	Majors	Notes
CBA 493	Business Majors Only	Request internship approval and enrollment at the Internship Office.
EDP 492	For College of Liberal Arts Health and Human Services, and College of Education Majors	Request internship approval and enrollment at the Internship Office.
FEA 492	FEA Majors Only	Instructor Consent Required

Refer to http://my.csulb.edu for current schedule

Questions regarding these procedures may be directed to: