Curricular Practical Training Information for Faculty and Staff

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization benefit for  F-1 students who are enrolled in a program that has practical training e.g., internship component . All CPT employment needs to have a direct connection to the student’s major field of study. Since not all degrees at USF require or have the option for students to engage in practical training (internships) or employment as part of the program, not all F-1 students are eligible for CPT. A student may ask you, as their academic program, if they are eligible for CPT. The best way to determine whether they are eligible is if practical training is an “integral part of the established curriculum”. The USF course catalog needs to show that practical training is part of the degree or part of a course for the degree.

There are two major types of CPT that we use at USF. 

• CPT for a Degree Requirement: a program that requires a number of practical training hours to satisfy degree requirements. 
• CPT for a Course Requirement: a program that has a required or optional course with practical training requirement. 

CPT based on a degree requirement can allow students more flexibility in their employment start and end date, but if CPT is based on a course requirement, the employment dates need to be within the term of that course.

In order for ISSS to process CPT for a student we need three things:

• The academic advisor, professor, or department approval stating that the student is in good academic standing, the students' program of study, expected degree completion, employer information, and to confirm, to the best of their knowledge, that the employment is related to the major field of study, and indicate employment start and end dates. This approval should also state what course or degree requirement the student is satisfying with this practical training. When students submit their CPT request via their MyISSS Portal, they will enter the name and email of the USF staff member who will approve their request. The system will send an electronic form for them to complete.
• A letter from the employer, written on letterhead and signed by the supervisor or hiring body, and containing the title of the position the student will hold, a description of job responsibilities, the exact start and end dates of employment, the working address, and the hours per week that the student will work. Students should refer to our CPT employer letter to ensure the letter has all the required information.
• Proof of course enrollment printed from Self-Service (if applying for CPT based on a course requirement). 

*For more CPT information and a CPT advisor letter template you can view the student instructions.

Please use this information for your individual understanding and to advise students about academic related issues. ISSS should be the sole advising body for students seeking information about CPT, as the regulations are much more detailed and nuanced as outlined here.