Internship Procedures for International Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• CPT is an employment option available to students who have an F-1 visa.
• CPT is a paid or unpaid internship that requires authorization from the Center for International Education (CIE).
• Undergraduate students must participate in Department Based CPT, or the Career Development Center Internship Class. Forms are available at CIE.
• Graduate students may only participate in Department Based CPT.
• 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 stated by degree requirements.
• Students MAY NOT begin work at their internship site until given final approval by CIE.

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.

Is there a deadline?

• 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 Center for International Education (CIE) to pick up a CPT packet.
2. Once you have secured an internship, submit the completed packet and your original letter of offer to the Career Development Center front desk. This must be completed at least two weeks BEFORE your internship start date.
3. Complete enrollment in the CDC Internship Class.
4. The Internship Program Coordinator will review the documents and contact you regarding your application.
5. Once enrolled, the Internship Program will contact you to pick up your CPT packet to submit to CIE.
6. Upon final notification from the Center for International Education, you are eligible to begin working at the assigned site.

Additional Information: