Skip Navigation

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization benefit of F-1 status for training that is physically located in the U.S. and integrally related to the student’s academic program. Not all opportunities will qualify for CPT; a strong curricular connection must be documented. CPT is recommended for unpaid opportunities and is required for all paid off-campus training experiences. 

Eligibility
Timing Considerations
Application Process
FAQs

CPT can only be authorized if the work or training experience fulfills one of the following academic objectives:  

  • A course offered in the Johns Hopkins University course catalog that will appear on the student’s official transcript. Most schools offer an elective course that meets CPT requirements. Check with your academic advisor to see if there is a qualifying course in your program
  • An internship, practicum, or co-op that is required of all students in your program or track 
  • A placement required to complete your graduate thesis or dissertation research  
Examples Where CPT Cannot be Used
Employment Without an Academic Objective

Employment that only offers “excellent” or “relevant” experience in a student’s field of study but does not meet one of the objectives listed above does not qualify for CPT. Students may consider applying for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training for these types of opportunities. 

Self-Employment or Unsupervised Work

Receiving training is central to CPT and activities where there is no supervisor to provide training are not appropriate for this authorization. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, consulting and starting a business. Students may consider applying for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training for these types of opportunities.

Examples Where CPT Can be Used:
CPT for Internships, Fellowships, Practicums, and other Temporary Training Related to your Program

CPT can be used for paid or unpaid training, employment, internships, fellowships, practicums research positions, or co-ops that are related to your program’s curriculum [through course enrollment]. Regardless of job title, work that is done in your field of study for which you can receive academic credit should be authorized in advance using CPT. 

CPT for Additional On-Campus Employment

CPT is normally for training at off-campus locations, but it may also be used for on-campus training in situations where a student has already reached the on-campus employment maximum of 20 hours per week and has been offered an additional position on-campus that meets the CPT eligibility requirements above.  

Supplemental Work for Fully Funded PhD Students Receiving Stipend/Compensation from JHU

The university considers international PhD students who have full graduate stipends (“guaranteed funding”) to be employed for 20 hours per week of on-campus employment, regardless of how many hours are listed on any appointment letters. Thus, no additional work is allowed under F-1 on-campus employment rules. Graduate students who receive a stipend/compensation from JHU do not fit neatly into the F-1 employment rules. These students are required to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form and are paid through the university’s payroll system.  Graduate students receiving a stipend/compensation from JHU who wish to undertake additional on-campus employment during a required semester are only eligible to do so if the supplemental position and student meets the CPT eligibility requirements.  KSAS and SOM PhD students are required to enroll full-time each summer, so any additional on-campus work must be eligible for and authorized through CPT.  

Student Eligibility

In order to be eligible for CPT, students must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Currently in valid F-1 status 
  • Have completed at least one academic year before starting CPT 
  • Are in good academic standing and making satisfactory process towards degree completion 
  • Have not completed all degree program requirements and must continue to maintain full-time enrollment during all required terms/semesters 
  • Have secured a training offer directly related to their field of study 
  • Must be able to enroll for a course in their program that corresponds to their practical training activity [such as a practicum or internship course] 

CPT Timing Considerations

  • An application for CPT should be submitted at least two weeks before starting the training, internship, practicum, or any other employment   
    • Applications that are submitted with less lead time may not be able to be approved   
    • You cannot begin working before OIS has authorized you for CPT. Working without prior approval is considered a violation of F-1 visa status 
  • OIS can only begin authorizing CPT for a particular semester after registration for the semester opens. [For example, summer term registration typically opens in early March]
  • CPT authorization must end before the start of the next semester*  
    • *For internships/practicums that are required for degree completion, OIS may authorize students for the entire duration at once 
  • CPT to fulfill an elective course is authorized on a term-by-term basis  
  • Final Term CPT: Can only be part-time for 20 hours or less per week [unless a full-time practicum is a requirement for degree completion], even if you are approved for a Reduced Course Load  
  • Further participation in CPT requires submission of a new application and additional enrollment in the appropriate practicum/internship course

The Academic Year Requirement

  • Summer semesters at JHU do not meet the length requirements to count as a semester except for MPH students, as described below   
  • For Public Health students on the Term system: Completing 4 terms constitutes an academic year  
    • MPH students enrolled full-time in Summer term at BSPH can count it towards CPT eligibility because it is the same length as terms 1-4 
  • Students transferring schools and/or changing degree levels may be able to use time as an F-1 student in the prior program to meet the one year requirement, if the student has continuously enrolled for required semesters
  • Students who changed to F-1 status may count previous full-time semesters in another immigration status toward the requirement   

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT

Part-time CPTFull-Time CPT
20 hours or less per weekMore than 20 hours per week
Can be requested during the academic year and during school breaks [Fall, Spring, Summer, Intersession]Can be requested during recognized school breaks [Intersession, Summer – if not required in your program]

Permitted if your program has a required full-time internship [must be specified in the program’s course catalogue]

CPT Application Process

Steps to Request CPT Authorization: 

  1. Obtain a letter from the employer or internship/practicum placement site. This letter must be from the training provider/employer, and must include the following: 
    • Start and end dates of the internship/practicum
    • Number of hours worked per week
    • Name and address of workplace
    • Name and title of supervisor
    • Your job title
    • Description of your duties
  2. Submit the Curricular Practical Training Request eForm in iHopkins 
    • Go to http://ihopkins.jhu.edu  
    • Login in with JHED ID and password 
    • In iHopkins, click on “F-1 Practical Training” in the menu on the left, then click “Curricular Practical Training Request” 
    • You will be required to upload your employment letter, confirm that you will receive academic credit for the training, and enter a detailed explanation of the relationship between your JHU program and the CPT position. Sample explanations are available here. You will also enter academic/faculty advisor information on the form 
  3. OIS reviews the CPT request and issues CPT authorization on an updated I-20 
    • Review of your CPT request begins after the academic/faculty advisor completes their portion of the CPT form 
    • OIS requires up to 10 business days to review the request and may reach out by email for additional information 
    • OIS determines CPT approval and authorization is not guaranteed
    • If approved for CPT, you will receive an email with instructions and an electronic I-20 with your CPT authorization details listed on page 2
  4. Enroll for the appropriate course
    • If your CPT request is approved, you will receive an email from OIS that specifies required course registration to ensure that your CPT is valid. It is your responsibility to enroll for the appropriate course with the assistance of SEAM and/or the Registrar at your school.  Failure to register for the internship/practicum course will invalidate your CPT approval and may result in loss of your F-1 status 

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no practicum or internship course available in my program. Do I qualify for CPT authorization?

CPT must be for work/training that is integral to your program’s curriculum and therefore needs to meet a course or program requirement in order to be authorized. Contact your academic advisor to see if course credit is offered for experiential training. If not, you may qualify for Pre-Completion OPT to work in your field of study during your program.  

Can CPT be for full-time experiences [more than 20 hours per week]?

CPT is for training in your field of study and not solely for employment experience purposes. You must continue to be enrolled as a student and have remaining program requirements to be eligible for CPT. CPT can be authorized for more than 20 hours a week during vacation periods [such as summer break, if summer is not a required term in your program]. Additionally, full-time CPT may be authorized for internships/practicums that are required for a degree program. CPT authorization on a full-time basis for 365 days or more will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training [OPT]. 

Can I change employers or extend the dates of my CPT?

CPT is employer and date specific. You will need to submit a new CPT request in iHopkins with a revised CPT employer letter in order to change the details of your CPT authorization. Your academic advisor will also need to review the new request. We require 10 business days to process the request.  

I am a Peabody student and I have multiple performances. Do I need to request CPT for each one?

Yes. You must apply for CPT authorization for each off-campus employer. CPT cannot be backdated, and you must apply in a timely manner to ensure you receive authorization before the performance start date. Enrolling for the practical training course once per semester will cover all performances for that semester, but you must obtain separate CPT authorizations from OIS for each employer. 

Do I need to request CPT for employment based outside of the U.S.?

CPT is authorization for U.S. based work while you are within the country. If you have a required practicum/internship that takes place outside of the U.S., please notify the OIS. CPT authorization cannot be granted for employers that are not within the U.S.  We do not recommend working for an international company/organization while you are physically inside the U.S.

Is there a limit on how many times I can request CPT?

All CPT authorizations must be for work/training that is integral to your program’s curriculum. If your program permits repeat enrollment in the practicum/internship course, and your training opportunity requires that you participate for multiple semesters, OIS may be able to grant you CPT provided you submit a complete CPT request for each semester. OIS determines CPT approval and authorization is not guaranteed. CPT cannot be authorized for continued employment without an academic objective. CPT authorization on a full-time basis for 365 days or more will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training [OPT].  

Can my internship/practicum be outside of the Baltimore/Washington DC area?

F-1 students are required to maintain full-time enrollment for each required term of their program. Students participating in elective CPT opportunities during their program’s vacation period such as summer break [if summer is not a required term in your program] may work out of state. During a required semester [typically Fall and Spring] you must maintain full-time enrollment at JHU. [Exceptions exist for students participating in an internship or practicum that is required for their degree program and takes place during a regular semester/term.] Contact OIS with any questions.   

My internship is unpaid. Do I need to request CPT?

OIS recommends obtaining CPT authorization for all training experiences that are related to your field of study and occur off-campus, whether the position is paid or unpaid.  Receiving any type of benefit, whether in the form of monetary payment, or “in-kind” [non-cash exchanges such as a travel stipend, stocks, or housing], could be considered employment by immigration officials, even if not officially categorized as an employee. [Position titles may vary, such as intern, fellow, or a regular staff position.] Consult an OIS advisor if you have questions about a particular opportunity.  

If you are truly volunteering for a role that is unpaid, refer to Volunteering in F-1 Status for more information.  

I am in a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s degree program. What are my CPT options?

You may request CPT during your undergraduate and graduate programs. In the final semester of your Bachelor’s program, you will need to request a new I-20 to reflect that you are changing into a Master’s program. You cannot request CPT during the summer break “between” your Bachelor’s and Master’s I-20. You may apply for OPT to work between the two programs. Consult an OIS advisor with any questions.  

Does using CPT impact my ability to apply for OPT?

Part-time CPT authorization does not deduct from your eligibility for 12 months of Optional Practical Training.  However, CPT authorization on a full-time basis for 365 days or more will eliminate your eligibility for OPT.