Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Information for Students
What is CPT?
CPT is off-campus work authorization granted by the ISS office that permits an international student to pursue an internship/work experience for degree credit.
When can I apply?
Eligible F-1 students may apply for CPT as soon as they are enrolled for semester in which they plan to do CPT.
The deadline to apply for CPT is the same as the Add/Drop deadline for the semester. Find the specific date by checking the OU Academic Calendar.
Workshop
Complete the mandatory workshop before you apply for CPT:
- Login to canvas.ou.edu
- Click Courses on the left
- Click All Courses
- Click Browse More Courses at the top right
- Search for CPT.
- Click Join this Course for the course labeled ISS CPT Workshop
- Click Enroll in Course
- Click Go to Course
Information for Advisors and Faculty
CPT is off-campus work authorization for an internship or work experience completed before the student graduates that is authorized by International Student Services as permitted under F-1 federal immigration regulations. In order to qualify as CPT, the proposed internship/work experience must be curricular in nature and count toward degree requirements.
ISS relies on the professional opinion of the academic or faculty advisor to determine whether an internship/work experience meets the Federal Immigration Regulatory requirements. Enrollment in credit bearing hours for the internship is required and the credit hours cannot be in exccess to the number of credit hours needed to complete the degree program.
When an international student applies for CPT, the academic/faculty advisor must write a letter on departmental letterhead that follows the example template provided to the student in the CPT Application Packet.
If you have any questions about CPT or the application process, contact our office.
