Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary work authorization given to F-1 students to receive training that is directly related to their major field of study. As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), CPT is “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school” [8 CFR§214.2(f)(10)(i)]. The regulations also state that CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum.

Submit your CPT application to OISS at [insert updated link here!!]. Applications must be submitted at least one week before the requested start date.

Quick Facts about CPT

  • You must be registered for credit hours concurrent with your CPT authorization.
  • CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program.
  • CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program.
  • You must have a job offer at the time of application.
  • CPT applies to both paid and unpaid positions.
  • CPT must be authorized by OISS before you start the position.
  • CPT is employer-specific. Separate authorizations are required for each employer.
  • CPT is semester-based. Separate authorizations are required for each semester.
  • Only part-time CPT (i.e., up to 20 hours/week) is available during the Spring and Fall semesters. Full-time CPT (i.e., over 20 hours/week) can only be authorized during the summer and winter breaks.
  • 12 months or more of full-time CPT will make you ineligible for OPT (part-time CPT does not affect your OPT eligibility).
  • Learn more by taking the CPT Tutorial Canvas Course (required in order to apply for CPT)

Quick Links to CPT Forms

Who is eligible for CPT?

Students who meet certain conditions may be eligible for CPT:
1) Student is in valid F-1 status.
2) Student has been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at a SEVIS-approved school in valid U.S. immigration status for one academic year prior to applying for CPT.
3) Student is required to enroll in a course that directly ties the practical training experience to their academic program.

Available dates for CPT

CPT during the spring and fall semesters is approved on a semester basis, while summer CPT is available anytime between the end of the spring term and the beginning of the fall term. The requested dates indicated on the CPT Faculty Advisor Form and the CPT letter from the employer should fall within the ranges listed below. Separate CPT requests are required for each time period if employment continues beyond these ranges:

• Summer 2025: May 7, 2025 – August 24, 2025 (Can be full-time)
• Fall 2025: August 25, 2025 – December 16, 2025 (No more than 20 hours/week)
• Winter Recess 2025-2026: December 17, 2025 – January 11, 2026 (Can be full-time)
• Spring 2026: January 12, 2026 – May 5, 2026 (No more than 20 hours/week)
Special note: Winter recess can also be considered part of the spring semester for CPT purposes, and if necessary, students can apply for a part-time spring semester CPT starting already as early as 12/17/2025

Exception: Due to the nature of the Preceptorship Program, B-ARCH students may submit one CPT request for the full duration of their Preceptorship.

Types of CPT available at Rice

All CPT authorizations require a curricular justification and course enrollment that is concurrent with the CPT. There are three options that may be available to students at Rice, depending on their degree program.

CPT that is a part of an established curriculum, for which the student will receive academic credit

All students who meet the general CPT eligibility requirement can use this type of CPT, as long as they are taking a course in their major field of study that requires off-campus employment as part of the completion of the course.

With the exception of B-ARCH students, this is the only type of CPT that is available for undergraduate students.

CPT that is a required and established part of the student's degree program as listed in the Rice General Announcements

Students in degree programs where the Rice General Announcements (https://ga.rice.edu) list an internship or practical training as an official degree requirement can use this type of CPT. Enrollment in a course that directly ties the practical training experience to your academic program and is concurrent with the CPT is required.

This is typically only available for certain non-thesis Masters programs and the B-ARCH program.

CPT that is an integral part of the student's thesis/dissertation research

Graduate students in Thesis-Masters or Doctoral programs, where the CPT will form an integral part of the student's thesis/dissertation research, are eligible for this type of CPT. Enrollment in research hours is required. Students are no longer eligible for CPT after their thesis/dissertation defense.

What course should you register for?

OISS cannot advise on academic requirements. You should meet with your faculty advisor to discuss what classes are available for practical training at your department or school. The class must be taken concurrently with the CPT authorization and it must relate directly to your degree program and the practical experience you are gaining through CPT. The course tied to CPT can be structured as:
• An internship or practicum course
• An independent study that focuses on the student's practical training
• A research course
• A project-based course that incorporates the CPT experience

During the summer, students can register for up to 3 credits of INT or RES courses at no cost.

How to Apply for CPT

STEP 1: Take the CPT Tutorial Canvas Course

Successfully completing the CPT Tutorial Canvas course is required before you can apply for CPT authorization. Course certificates are valid for one year, so if you have completed the Tutorial within the last 12 months, you don't necessarily have to take it again. However, it can still be a helpful resource and a refresher if you would like to remind yourself of some of the CPT rules.

Completion time is estimated as 45-60 minutes. Please note that you don't have to complete all modules at once, but you can save your progress and return to the Tutorial at a later time.

Access the CPT Tutorial Canvas course here: https://catalog.rice.edu/courses/cpt---curricular-practical-training-2024-2025

STEP 2: Secure a CPT letter from your employer

In order to authorize CPT, OISS requires that employers verify certain details regarding the position, listed below. This required information should be provided in a signed CPT letter on the employer's letterhead. The offer letter can be used for this purpose only if it includes all the items indicated below. If a letter cannot be provided, the employer may use our CPT Employment Information Form. CPT requests with incomplete letters/forms will not be processed.

• Specific start and end dates of the position (please see the "Available Dates for CPT" section above)
• Number of hours per week
• Employer's address. If the position is hybrid or remote, the letter should indicate this as well.
• Brief description of job duties/responsibilities

STEP 3: Work with your faculty advisor to determine your curricular justification and complete the CPT Faculty Advisor Form

Meet with your faculty advisor to complete the CPT Faculty Advisor Form. Please provide a copy of your CPT offer letter to your faculty advisor. If you have more than one major, the form should be completed by the faculty advisor from the major that directly relates to the CPT opportunity.

When completing the form, make sure that the name of the employer (typically the company, not your supervisor or hiring manager), the CPT dates, and the number of hours per week match the information on your CPT letter. Please also see the "Available Dates for CPT" section above for more information on eligible CPT dates.

Access the CPT forms here:

CPT form for Undergraduates
CPT form for B-ARCH Students
CPT form for Graduate Students

STEP 4: Submit your CPT request to OISS

Submit your CPT request to OISS at least one week prior to your requested start date at [INSERT NEW LINK HERE!!] (netID login required).

To ensure that your request is sent to the correct OISS advisor, please select your degree level, school, and program information correctly.

Please note that under no circumstances can you begin employment until you have received your new I-20 with the CPT authorization.

STEP 5: Respond to questions and review CPT I-20

Make sure to respond to any questions from OISS in a timely manner and provide updated/corrected documentation to OISS if needed.

Once you receive your CPT I-20, you'll find the CPT authorization at the top of the second page. Please review the information carefully and notify OISS immediately if you notice any errors. If any of the specifics regarding your CPT change, please contact OISS immediately or submit a CPT update request at https://bit.ly/cptupdates.

FAQs for CPT

I've completed the Tutorial in Canvas but lost the certificate of completion. How can I retrieve it?

You can download the certificate of completion from your Rice Catalog "student dashboard" under the Completed tab! OISS will accept the certificate for up to one year after its date of completion. If you completed your Tutorial more than a year ago, please complete the current tutorial to get an updated certificate of completion.

1) Login to catalog.rice.edu
2) Click on your name in the top right corner and select "Student Dashboard"
3) Choose Completed courses
4) Click on "Download" to get your certificate of completion

Why is CPT limited to one's "major field of study"?

U.S. federal regulations mandate laws for students on an F-1 visa under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The guidance from SEVP has established that CPT employment must be "directly related to the student’s 'major field of study.'"

Who is my Faculty Advisor who needs to sign the CPT Form?

For undergraduate students, this is either your "Major Advisor" or your "Divisional Advisor," who is contributing to your academic curriculum.

For graduate students, this is your faculty advisor.

What if my CPT continues longer than one semester?

CPT is authorized on a per-semester (i.e., fall, spring, and summer) basis. You need to submit a separate CPT request for each job and for each semester. Please see the "Available Dates for CPT" section above for more information.

Exception: Due to the nature of the Preceptorship Program, B-ARCH students may submit one CPT request for the full duration of their Preceptorship.

When can I begin working?

If your CPT is approved, you will be issued a new I-20, which will have the CPT authorization with specific dates listed. You may only begin work once you have received the I-20 and are within the authorized dates for your CPT. Working (even unpaid) off-campus before receiving CPT authorization or outside of the authorized dates is a violation of your F-1 visa status and will result in the termination of your F-1 record in SEVIS.

What if I find a position that is directly related to a minor?

CPT cannot be issued for work related to a minor. The regulations specifically state that the training must be related to the student's major area of study.

Do I need CPT if I just want to volunteer?

True volunteering does not require CPT, but F-1 students need to be careful about volunteering vs. unpaid work, which does require authorization. For more information, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/volunteering.

Can I use CPT if I want to start my own business?

No. You need to apply for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) in order to conduct entrepreneurial activities on an F-1 visa. Please schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor to discuss Pre-Completion OPT.

Can I have multiple CPTs at one time?

Yes, as long as you make sure your total work hours do not over the allowed limit. During the Spring and Fall semesters, you may work up to 20 hours per week total. This includes all CPT positions during the same semester. During the summer break and winter recess, you are eligible for full-time CPT. Also, keep in mind that each CPT must be authorized separately.

Does CPT affect OPT?

It can. If you reach 12 months of full-time CPT, you will no longer be eligible for OPT. Part-time CPT authorizations do not affect OPT eligibility.

What if something changes after my CPT has been authorized?

If any of the specifics regarding your CPT change, please contact OISS immediately or submit a CPT update request at https://bit.ly/cptupdates.

Please note that the CPT update request form can only be used if the CPT dates still fall within the same academic term (see "Available Dates for CPT" section above) and there is no change in the curricular justification.