ALERT: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Changes
Effective Immediately Fall 2026
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has observed a rise in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements, specifically those not constituting an integral part of an established curriculum. Regulatory Citation: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)(B)
According to the SEVP guidance, International Student Advisors should authorize CPT “only when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student's major area of study.” The SEVP directive provides further clarification regarding CPT eligibility:
- CPT must be a core and essential part of a student's studies, without which, they would be unable to complete the degree.
- CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.
- CPT authorization should be granted only if its absence would make the attainment of their degree an impossibility and if the experiential learning associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing this degree.
Types of Curricular Practical Training at USC:
- You have a mandatory internship course in your program, without which you cannot earn your degree.
- The course in which you will be enrolled is during the same semester of your employment.
- Please note: Course Required CPT is absolutely necessary for unpaid, off-campus internships required by a class.
- In order to write your dissertation, you need to collect data through an off-campus work experience.
- You will be enrolled in dissertation prep hours for the entirety of your off-campus work experience (including summer, if applicable).
CPT Prerequisites for Eligibility
- CPT must be a core and essential part of your studies, without which, you would be unable to complete the degree.
- CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.
- CPT authorization should be granted only if its absence would make the attainment of your degree an impossibility and if the experiential learning associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing the degree.
- You must have been fully enrolled as a student for at least one academic year (nine months or thirty weeks).
- Exchange students do not qualify for Curricular Practical Training because they do not have this necessary prerequisite.
- Your graduation cannot be delayed due to your Curricular Practical Training.
- You need to have an offer of employment (paid or unpaid) before CPT can be authorized. Remember, even unpaid internships require CPT authorization.
- CPT must occur before your program end date on the Form I-20.
- You must obtain your CPT I-20 before starting to work. Failing to obtain CPT approval before starting your CPT training experience will lead to immediate termination of your immigration record.
How to apply for CPT
- Meet with your program's ISSS advisor to determine eligibilty.
- Complete the CPT application (see the ISSS Forms Library).
- Complete and sign student section yourself.
- Work with an academic advisor to sign the advisor section.
- Request your employer to sign the employer section or provide a signed offer letter with all of the required information.
- After completing the CPT application, submit the application and a copy of your Program of Study to iss@sc.edu.
- Within 5-7 business days, you will obtain a new Form I-20 via email from an international student advisor.
- After checking for accuracy on page 2, print and sign your new I-20.
Participating in an off-campus experiential learning opportunity without CPT authorization violates F-1 status and could result in serious consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions about CPT
The ISSS office does not have the knowledge or authority to help you find an internship. Please contact the Career Center and they will help you look for and apply for jobs.
Contact your ISSS advisor immediately. Working without CPT authorization is a violation of F-1 status and could result in SEVIS record termination.
YES! CPT is required for ANY type of off-campus work. This is a federal regulation.
Students may work 20 hours a week of CPT during Spring/Fall semesters, and 40 hours during summer and winter breaks. Full-time CPT is only approved during major academic semesters under special circumstances. Be sure to meet with your ISSS advisor to discuss your situation.
No. CPT is meant for temporary and required experiential employment opportunities. Your job should be an internship and have a defined end date.
SPTE 295 is a class that has a required internship aspect. It's even listed in the course description.
No. Unless your academic program explicitly requires immediate field experience (such as the Masters of Social Work program), student must wait for one academic year to be eligible for CPT.
Complete the CPT application form located in the ISSS Forms Library. Get signatures from your academic advisor and your employer and email the form and a copy of your Program of Study to iss@sc.edu.
Yes. However, you must still follow on-campus work rules and maintain full-time enrollment.
Students are permitted to engage in 20 hours per week of on-campus employment and 20 hours per week of CPT, as long as the CPT is approved by the designated school official and meets all regulatory requirements. USC policy caps combined on-campus and off-campus work hours to 40 hours per week.
There are limitations on hours depending on which type you use. You can have more than one CPT job if needed, and can apply for multiple semesters. 12 months of full-time CPT at an educational level eliminates eligibility for OPT at that same educational level. Your Academic department may have other restrictions. Be sure to speak with professors and academic advisors.
No. An I-20 should not be extended for the sole purpose of using CPT. Students can only extend an I-20 for academic reasons.
No. You must submit a CPT request for each semester and meet the requirements every time. If there are additional jobs, each job needs a separate application.
Yes. In order for ISSS to approve any type of course-related CPT, we must see that the student is registered in said course.
Yes. CPT is approved on a semester-by-semester basis. If your work experience spans two semesters, you need to submit 2 CPT applications, one for each semester. If you are utilizing CIP CPT, this means you will also need to re-enroll in the CIP program each semester.
Unfortunately, effective Fall 2026, international students are not eligible to participate in the CIP program.