Cpt Handout And Co-Op Agreement printable pdf download

F-1 CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING

Global Education Office (GEO)

2120 Mesa Vista Hall

FOR THOSE ENROLLING IN CO-OP

MSC06 3850 1 University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM 87131-1056

Phone (505) 277-4032  Fax (505) 277-1867

geo@unm.edu

Web:

EXPLANATION

As an F-1 student, you may only work off campus in the U.S. if you have received special written work authorization approved by the U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This handout will explain one type of USCIS off-campus work authorization that can only be taken

BEFORE COMPLETION OF STUDIES called, “curricular practical training,” or “CPT.”

USCIS defines “curricular practical training” as employment that is an integral or important part of your curriculum, including: alternate work/study,

internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required employment, internship or practicum. To be considered curricular practical training,

the work must be related to your major field of study, and must also be an integral or important part of your studies. Training which is REQUIRED by

your degree program always meets the requirements for curricular practical training, regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for

your work. Training which is NOT REQUIRED by your degree program may meet the requirements for curricular practical training if you receive

academic credit for the employment experience through CO-OP or enrollment in an official internship or practicum course (as listed in the UNM

course catalog – Independent Study does NOT qualify). If you have a training opportunity, which involves employment, check with the international

advisor to determine if it qualifies as CPT. You must have a job to be authorized for this type of practical training.

II.

HIGHLIGHTS

 A job offer is REQUIRED to be authorized for CPT

 The employment must be an integral or important part of your curriculum, but can occur anywhere in the U.S.

 Students must be enrolled in the CO-OP program OR in an official practicum/internship course, or the work must be a

requirement for everyone in the degree program

 Changing employers is allowed only AFTER receiving additional approval and authorization for the new employer

 CPT authorization is granted by GEO. Students do not need to mail an application to CIS; however, students MUST apply within

specific UNM deadlines (check well in advance of the date of work)

 During the period of CPT, students are in F-1 visa status since CPT is considered to be part of the program of study

III.

CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

You must have a specific position that is directly related to your major field of study and it must be appropriate for someone having

your level of education

You must have been enrolled as a full-time student in legal non-immigrant status for at least 9 months before CPT begins (unless you

are in a graduate program which REQUIRES internship participation of ALL students prior to the end of the second semester)

The training/work/internship must either be REQUIRED for completion of your degree program (i.e., ALL STUDENTS IN THE

PROGRAM MUST COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP TO RECEIVE THE DEGREE) or you must be officially enrolled in the CO-OP

program or in an official internship or practicum course (as listed in the UNM course catalog AND be receiving academic credit for the

degree at the time of the training.

There are restrictions on when students may apply for part or full-time CPT. Students can take CPT:

Part-time (20 hours or less) or Full-time (more than 20 hours): during the summer vacation or between semesters

b) Part-time: during the course of study provided the training does not exceed 20 hours per week total

Note: You cannot apply for CPT at all once you have completed your program of study

Students authorized for part-time CPT cannot work more than 20 hours per week

There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time CPT, but if you participate for 12 months or more, you will

not be eligible for optional practical training (see below)

YOU CANNOT WORK OFF-CAMPUS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE

INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR!

IV. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Curricular Practical Training and Eligibility for Optional Practical Training

If you participate in 12 months or more of “full-time” CPT, you are not eligible to apply for optional practical training. However, if you

participate in less than 12 months of full-time CPT, you will still get all 12 months of optional practical training. Participation in authorized

“part-time” CPT does not “add up” and therefore, does not affect your eligibility for optional practical training.

Revised 10/2011

Cpt Handout And Co-Op Agreement

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