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Virscend Student of the Month

What is CPT?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum. It is designed to provide students with practical experience in their field of study through internships, cooperative education programs, or other types of work-study arrangements. 

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Eligibility Requirements

  1. The student must have applied and been accepted to Virscend University, and enrolled for one full academic year (two semesters) before being eligible for CPT. ​

    • ​Exception: Graduate students whose programs (MBA) require immediate participation in CPT can apply for CPT when they start the program.

  2. Students must be registered for a minimum of 9 units per semester.

    • Exception: if the student needs less than 9 units to complete the program and is in the last semester of study, they are eligible to continue CPT with less than 9 units.

  3. Students must maintain the minimum satisfactory cumulative GPA to retain CPT employment. GPA is calculated at the end of every semester for CPT.

    • ​Students earning a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above are eligible for Full Time or Part Time CPT

    • Students earning a cumulative GPA of 2.50 – 2.99 are eligible for Part Time CPT only

    • Students earning a cumulative GPA of 2.49 and below are not eligible for CPT

  4. The proposed employment must be directly related to the student’s major field of study  and it must be approved by the Director of Student Success.

  5. Students must participate in and pass the CPT/Internship course (MBA 508) every semester they wish to continue CPT.

  6. In order for a student to be approved for CPT, he/she must have a Social Security Number. If the student does  not have a SSN and need assistance please visit https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/work/obtaining-a-social-security-number​​​

Contact Form

Frequently Asked Questions
What program are you interested in?

​Administrative Support

If you have any further questions regarding CPT, please feel free to reach out to the Virscend University DSO at jordan.austria@virscend.edu or the Director of Student Success at ryan.swindell@virscend.edu.

Types of CPT

Part-Time CPT: Work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session.

Full-Time CPT: Work more than 20 hours per week. 

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Application Process

  1. Get an Offer: Secure a job offer related to your field of study. Have your employer issue an offer letter that includes all the information required. See Offer Letter Template for guidance.

  2. Approval from Academic Department: Obtain approval from the Director of Student Success, confirming that employment is an integral part of your curriculum.

  3. Complete the Internship Cooperative Agreement: Fill out the Internship Cooperative Agreement including an authorized employer signature. 

  4. Submit Request to DSO: Complete and submit the CPT Request Form with attached Offer Letter and Internship Cooperative Agreement. 

  5. DSO Authorization: The DSO will review your application and, if approved, will issue a new Form I-20 with the CPT authorization. You cannot begin CPT employment until you receive this authorization.

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Application Timeline

  1. Students must have submitted the online CPT Application with attachments of:

    • Offer Letter

    • Internship Cooperative Agreement 

    • Must be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the desired start date. 

  2. Please allow 5-10 business days for the DSO and Director of Student Success to review and approve the submitted materials. 

  3. Once approved, the DSO will issue a new Form I-20 with CPT authorization.

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Duration and Limits

  1. No Limit on Part-Time CPT: There is no regulatory limit on the amount of part-time CPT a student can do.

  2. Full-Time CPT Limit: If a student accumulates 12 months or more of full-time CPT, they become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same educational level.

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Impact on OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Engaging in CPT does not affect the student’s eligibility for OPT, provided they do not exceed 12 months of full-time CPT. Part-time CPT has no impact on OPT eligibility.

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Documentation

Form I-20: The CPT authorization will be recorded on the student’s Form I-20.
Employment Authorization: Students must show their Form I-20 with the CPT authorization to their employer as proof of employment eligibility.

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Compliance and Reporting

  1. Maintain Status: Students must maintain their F-1 status while engaging in CPT.

  2. Report Changes: Any changes in employment (e.g., job termination, change of employer) must be reported to the DSO.

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Additional Notes

  1. Unpaid Internships: Even unpaid internships require CPT authorization if they are a part of the student’s curriculum.

  2. Concurrent Employment: Students can engage in multiple CPT opportunities simultaneously, provided each is authorized and meets the eligibility criteria.

CPT is a valuable opportunity for F-1 students to gain real-world experience in their field of study, enhancing their educational and professional development.

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Links and Resources

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