Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT Basics

CPT is F-1 authorization for paid and unpaid experiential learning activities that are integral to the established curriculum of an academic program and directly related to the student’s major field of study. CPT authorizes a variety of opportunities such as employment, internships, fellowships, practicums, etc.

CPT is only before graduation. Students become eligible after two semesters of full time in person study unless their degree requires earlier training. An elective internship course cannot be a student’s only course in their final term.

Students must complete the procedure detailed below to receive their updated Form I-20 with CPT notated on page 2 per the current OGS processing time. Students must not begin any activities for their role before CPT is authorized.

• 1. Determine CPT Eligibility
• 2. Employer Offer Letter
• Authorization Dates
• 3. CPT Request Form
• 4. Email CPT Request to OGS
• 5. Need More CPT?

1. Determine CPT Eligibility

CPT Request Procedure

Check how your program’s curriculum incorporates practical training experience: CPT-Eligible Course List. Undergraduate students must have declared a major as part of CPT eligibility.

Enroll to complete the Canvas CPT Module and download your 100% score on the CPT Final Quiz as proof you understand the conditions of this F-1 authorization.

2. Employer Offer Letter

Organization must confirm these details in writing; see this sample offer letter (PDF).

• Position title and description of activities for role
• Supervisor’s name, title, and email address
• Organization’s street address, even if role is remote
• Number of hours per week: During required academic terms, hours may not exceed 20 in any week totaling all roles (paid and unpaid, on-campus and off-campus).
• Position start and end date: See below for maximum range when training is for course credit and/or required in specific term of program.

3. CPT Request Form

Enroll in your program’s curricular internship course if applicable.

Complete CPT Request Form (PDF) page 1 and obtain the page 2 signature from your academic advisor, coordinator, dean, or director.

4. Email Complete CPT Request to OGS

Send these three files to internationalservices@georgetown.edu and check the OGS processing time. Incomplete requests delay authorization.

• 100% CPT Final Quiz score
• Offer letter with all required details
• CPT Request Form (PDF) signed by student on page 1 and academic program on page 2

Begin activities for your role only after you receive the CPT Form I-20 from OGS via email and its page 2 authorization start date is current.

• Full time CPT = No weekly hours restriction (eligibility limited to summer vacation or if degree requires all students to train above 20 hr/wk in specific term).
• Part time CPT = Maximum 20 hours each week (not 20 hr/wk average), totaling all roles paid and unpaid, both for Georgetown and with any other organization(s).
• Withdrawal from an internship course voids CPT authorization.

5. Need More CPT?

CPT Extension = Brief continuation of original role (within maximum dates if term-bound). Email the completed CPT Extension Request Form (PDF) to internationalservices@georgetown.edu with employer documentation of your new requested CPT end date. Stop working on your authorized end date unless you receive an updated I-20 from OGS amending your CPT. Account for the OGS processing time, because CPT cannot be extended after its end date.

Except for a CPT Extension, to affiliate again with the same organization (or another employer) during your studies requires an entirely new CPT Request (not all degrees incorporate multiple practical experiences). Just as you would not retake a lecture or lab you already passed, CPT is not for repeat roles: Any subsequent CPT must have clear curricular basis and must constitute a discrete opportunity that develops new knowledge and skills, as evidenced by the job description in your offer letter. Begin activities for another CPT only once authorized on your I-20.