ISSC processing time is up to 10 business days, please plan ahead. During peak seasons, processing time may be more than 10 business days.
Each academic unit has specific timelines, policies, eligibility requirements, and forms that you need to be aware of. Please consult with your academic advisor to fully understand your academic unit’s specific CPT process.
Do not apply for CPT before you have enrolled in your internship class.
We highly recommend that you attend a CPT information session prior to beginning the application process.
Approval Process
The authorization process for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) may seem difficult to navigate. The ISSC works closely with your academic unit to determine your eligibility to participate in an internship using the CPT work authorization. The following factors are taken into consideration before we can consider your application:
F-1 Regulations
Full-time enrollment:
In order to maintain F-1 status, a student must enroll full-time. A graduate student is required to enroll in 9 credit hours with a minimum of 6 credit hours in person, or if the graduate student is an RA, TA or GSA, they are required to take 6 credit hours with a minimum of 3 credit hours in person. Undergraduates are required to enroll in 12 credit hours with a minimum of 9 credit hours in person. Enrollment must cover the entire academic term through session C courses or a combination of session A and B courses.
Curricular Practical Training:
The Curricular Practical Training (CPT) regulation [8 C.F.R. 214.2(F)10(i)] states:
- i) Curricular practical training. An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion academic training. Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training. A request for authorization for curricular practical training must be made to the DSO. A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement.
Academic unit:
ASU’s academic units develop the curriculum and determine the courses necessary to complete their degrees. This would include any experiential learning opportunities such as internships.
Although the federal regulations put forth a minimum number of credit hours a student must enroll in to maintain full time enrollment, each graduate program may also determine the course load required each semester to make academic progress toward the degree which is greater than the minimum set by the federal regulations.
ISSC’s Role:
The ISSC works in conjunction with the academic units by requesting their input as to whether the requested internship allows each student to meet both the enrollment requirement and the CPT regulatory requirement. In other words, is this internship opportunity an integral part of the established curriculum?
