F-1 Student Resources

The International Student and Scholar Services

ISSS helps with the following services:

  • Document Processing and Advising: F-1 and J-1 student visas, and U.S. tax filing requirements for non-residents

  • Assistance with Living Abroad: Advice on personal adjustments and cross-cultural matters and referrals and/or advocacy efforts on behalf of international students to on-and off-campus service providers
  • Orientations: Fall/Spring/Summer International Student Orientation (ISO) for new students, orientations cover academic expectations, immigration regulations, campus life, and cultural adjustment.
  • Training: Job Success Strategy Series, Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 visa holders, H-1B visa workshop

Visa Interview Information:

The process of applying for a visa is complicated and the outcome difficult to predict.  Here are some websites with tips for maximizing your chances of approval.

These are just two of many many sites.  Please research and prepare thoroughly to make sure nothing gets in the way of you studying with us!

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information for MS AE International Students (F-1 Visa Holders)

WARNING: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS INTENDED AS GENERAL GUIDANCE ONLY.  INTERNATIONAL STUDENT REGULATIONS ARE COMPLEX AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE ISSS WEBSITE ALWAYS TAKES PRECEDENCE. 

ALWAYS DISCUSS YOUR PLANS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICE AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY APPROVE.  GET ALL APPROVALS IN WRITING AND DOUBLE-CHECK ALL DATES AND AUTHORIZATIONS.

Students in the MSAE program are encouraged to seek out internships or gain practical work experience during their time in the program. For international students on an F-1 visa that want to do an internship in the U.S., a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization is required.

What is CPT and who is eligible for CPT?

For more information about CPT visit the ISSS website.)

The MSAE program has set up a dedicated course (Econ 696: Internship) for international students to enroll in. If you are seeking CPT approval please follow these steps:

  1. Find a company that wants to hire you (paid or unpaid)
  2. Work out terms, including start and end date, job title, and tasks to be accomplished/skills you will develop. The start date cannot be before the beginning of the semester, and the end date should not be after the last day of the semester unless the internship will last two semesters.
  3. Identify an internship advisor. This can be the MSAE Academic Program Director or another faculty member with whom you have a good working relationship.
  4. Provide the following information to the MSAE Academic Program Director and your internship advisor (if different):
  • Number of units (Either 2 or 4 units. 2 is all that is needed);
  • Internship start date;
  • Internship end date - No later than the last date for grade submission for the semester. December 31 for fall and May 15 for spring are suitable, but please double-check against the academic calendar. If you wish to extend your internship beyond this time you will need to enroll in a new internship class for the following semester and re-apply to extend CPT after you have enrolled in that class.
  • Job title
  • Part-time (20 hours or less) or Full-time (20-40 hours)?
  • Name of the company;
  • Tasks to be accomplished/skills to be developed;
  • Directed Study/Internship form;
  • Current GPA;
  • Expected program completion date (Usually this is the last day of finals in May);

5. The internship advisor will incorporate the information you provide into a syllabus and will send this along with the directed study form to CASA for approval;

6. CASA will create the ECON 696 Internship course for you to sign up AFTER receiving the syllabus and the Directed Study/Internship Form. Sign up for this course as soon as it is available

7. Request CPT approval through the myISSS web portal. When the CPT request is created, enter the advisor's name/email address and a CPT Recommendation request will be sent to your advisor, who will fill out the recommendation form online.

8. ISSS will process the CPT approval request. Contact them for further details. Double-check the start and end dates of your CPT authorization before beginning work. You cannot start working until your CPT request has been approved.

Please note:

  • You should try to complete Step 4 about a month before the desired start date of the internship so that your visa and employment are not delayed by bureaucratic issues.
  • If the deadline for the semester's tuition payments has already passed, you will need to pre-pay the necessary amount of tuition before you can enroll in the 696 internship course.

These rules may change or there may be details the department is not aware of. Always consult with ISSS before doing anything that might change or affect your visa status.

Internship credits count as elective credits.

More info on CPT is available on the ISSS webpages.