Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or other type of required practicum that may be available to F-1 students. It is an opportunity for F-1 students to participate in off-campus employment during their program of study to gain practical experience in their major field of study. The employment/training must be an integral part of the school’s established curriculum and relate directly to the student’s major field of study. This means that the student must be enrolled in an appropriate internship course, or the internship is required for the degree program.
Employment (Paid and Unpaid)
Employment is defined as any situation where one party provides services that benefit another, and in exchange receives some type of benefit from the party to whom the services were provided. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor consider both monetary and non-monetary compensation in exchange for services as employment. Thus, both paid and unpaid positions are considered "employment" and will need authorization before the start of the work experience.
In some circumstances, students may participate in limited unpaid volunteer activities without employment authorization (i.e., volunteering at a service or humanitarian organization). If you are interested in volunteering, more detailed information may be found in the Volunteering section of our website. Before volunteering, please consult the ISSO to find out if authorization is required.
Failure to obtain proper authorization, even for an unpaid position, can result in a violation of status.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time
During the academic year (required semesters), CPT is limited to part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) and you must continue to be enrolled as a full-time student. Full-time CPT (more than 20 hours per week) is generally available to students only during the summer break or vacation semester.
Ph.D. candidates may pursue full-time CPT when they are in their dissertation stage if approved by their Faculty Advisor.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Non-degree students or students enrolled in Post Baccalaureate Program are not eligible for CPT.
CPT Application Process
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To be eligible for CPT at Brandeis you must:
- Be a full-time degree-seeking student
- Have declared a major (for undergraduate students)
- Have been enrolled full-time for at least a full academic year (2 consecutive semesters)
- Note: Graduate students enrolled in a degree program that requires ALL students to complete an earlier internship may be eligible for CPT before completing 2 consecutive semesters.
- Have secured an internship/job offer
- Be enrolled in the appropriate internship course to receive academic credit for your proposed CPT employment.
- The course must be listed in the University Bulletin and be specifically designed to award academic credit for employment or practical training experience
- If students are completing the CPT in the last semester of the program, the CPT course cannot be the only course on their schedule. Students must enroll in an additional in-person or hybrid to maintain status.
- Students must be registered for the appropriate course concurrently while participating in the proposed CPT employment
- Students can contact the Course Instructor to register for the appropriate internship course or register for the course directly in Workday
- Students should register for the course BEFORE applying for CPT
Do not complete the CPT request in the ISSO Portal until you have confirmed that you are registered for the appropriate course during the appropriate term
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate F-1 students must register for an internship course concurrently while participating in the proposed employment to be eligible for CPT. At Brandeis, there are several internship course options for undergraduate students after they have completed 2 semesters in F-1 status and declared a major.
Fall/Spring Semesters
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Department 89 or 92 Courses: These courses may be available within various departments for students with declared major(s). For example, a business major student can take BUS 89; an anthropology major student can take ANTH 92; a psychology major student can take PSYC 92, etc.
- If you have more than one major, you can enroll in an internship course for either major based on the type of employment you would like to pursue. For example, if a student who majors in Fine Arts and Computer Science would like to do an internship in Computer Science, they will need to register for COSI 89/92
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If there is not an internship course in your department listed in the Course Bulletin, students can contact their department to see if they are eligible to add a 92 course, or consider INT 89 (see below)
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When your minor requires an internship:
- F-1 regulations permit CPT for majors only. If your minor requires an internship, the activity must be integrally related to your major field of study AND the minor
- Common minors that require internships include: Legal Studies, Social Justice and Social Policy (SJSP), and Environmental Studies (ENVS)
- INT 89a/b: Available to all undergraduate students that meet the CPT eligibility requirements (found in the "Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility" box above) as an alternative to a major specific internship course
- Department Course 93 or Department Course 99: This course is available for students who may need to do an internship for their thesis or an independent study. Please contact your ISSO Advisor to see if you may need to apply for CPT when you take Department Course 93 or Department Course 99 (i.e. NEUR 92a, BIOL 99)
Summer Semester
Graduate Students
Each graduate school department at Brandeis has different requirements that will affect eligibility for CPT. Students must register for the appropriate internship/practicum course concurrently while participating in the proposed employment to be eligible for CPT. Contact your Program/Faculty Advisor for recommendations for the appropriate courses (i.e. BUS 297, HS 230, COSI 293, BIOT 293)
Course Listings:
International Business School Internship Information
Heller School Course Catalog
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Ph.D. students working on their dissertation may be eligible for CPT if the training/employment is an integral component of the dissertation
Your CPT employment dates are determined based on the Brandeis University Academic Calendar.* If a student is in their final term, CPT can only be authorized through the last day of final exams.
*These dates may be subject to change.
Your CPT dates must fall within the term dates listed below:
Spring 2025: January 14, 2025 - May 13, 2025
Summer 2025: May 14, 2025 - August 26, 2025 (for continuing students)
Undergraduate students: If Summer 2025 is the final term, the last day of CPT must be on or before the last day of final exams (August 8, 2025)
Graduate students: If Summer 2025 is the final term, the last day of CPT must be on or before (August 19, 2025)
Fall 2025:
August 27, 2025 - January 11, 2026 (for continuing students)
August 27, 2025 - December 22, 2025 (for graduating students)
All employment on CPT must be related to your major field of study. All paid positions will require CPT and unpaid or volunteer positions may also require CPT employment authorization. If you have any questions about wether you need to apply for CPT to engage in a certain type of employment you should speak with your ISSO Advisor.
Once you have an offer of employment you will need to obtain an official "Employment Offer Letter" written on the company letterhead and signed by your employer. The letter must contain ALL of the following elements:
- Employer's name (offer letter must be on company letterhead)
- Job title
- The physical address of the employment location (street, city, state, and zip code)
- Exact employment start and end dates
- Your CPT start date must be a date that is at least 5-7 business days in the future
- The start and end dates for CPT must fall within the dates of the academic term for which you are enrolled in the CPT course. These dates are published on the ISSO Curricular Practical Training (CPT) webpage
- Specification if the job is full-time (more than 20 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week or less)
- Name of your supervisor
- List of job responsibilities/job description
- Signature of your employer
For guidance on the format of the CPT Employment Offer Letter, see our Sample Offer Letter (pdf)
To avoid delays in processing, you must submit your CPT request in the ISSO Portal at least 5-7 business days before your CPT start date.
- Log in to the ISSO Portal with your Brandeis credentials
- Click on the Request Center tab, then click on the “CPT Request” icon
- Complete the CPT Request, including the questionnaires, file uploads, electronic signature documents, and the Academic Advisor Approval section
- Make sure to enter your company's name and NOT your Supervisor's name in the field that asks for "Employer's Name"
- It is essential to review the instructions carefully in the ISSO Portal to select the appropriate individual as the "Approver" to approve your request
- Click “Submit” (not “Save”) to submit the CPT Request
The designated Approver will be sent a notification to approve your CPT request. Once the Approver has approved your request, an ISSO Advisor will review and process your CPT Request
Your CPT will be processed within 5-7 business days and a new Form I-20 authorizing you for CPT and will be prepared. This Form I-20 will also have a valid travel signature for future use.
You will receive an email from the ISSO with instructions on how to download your new Form I-20. Once you have downloaded your Form I-20, please:
- Review page 2 to ensure that the dates and the employment information are correct. It is your responsibility to make sure that your employment information is correct before you begin your CPT
- Print your Form I-20, and sign and date page 1
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- You cannot begin your CPT employment until your CPT Form I-20 has been issued and you have reached your CPT start date
- You must report any change in your CPT to your ISSO Advisor
If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you may need to apply for one in person at the nearest Social Security Administration Office. Visit the Social Security Number information page for the details on how to apply for a social security number.
If you need to extend your CPT within the same academic term, you must contact your ISSO Advisor at least 10 days BEFORE your currently authorized CPT expires and then complete a "CPT Extension Request" in the ISSO Portal.
If you need to extend your CPT into a new academic term, you will need to submit a new "CPT Request" in the ISSO Portal. Remember that your CPT start date must be in the future and you must submit your CPT request at least 5-7 business days BEFORE your new CPT start date.