UC Irvine International Center Curricular Practical Training Index • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CPT Eligibility What is CPT Completing the CPT Application Online Information Where to Find the Application Application Timeline Where to get the correct dates for CPT Is CPT for you? A Complete CPT application (sample) CPT Process When can you start your CPT CPT Extension A Note About the Offer Letter Recommendations CPT ELIGIBILITY: Enrollment in three consecutive quarters Job offer in your field of study Normal degree progress Enrollment in UCI class that requires off-campus work 1 C URRICULAR P RACTICAL T RAINING (CPT) IS A TYPE OF OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT THAT ALLOWS F - 1 STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN EMPLOYMENT OFF-CAMPUS. I T IS DEFINED AS ANY REQUIRED INTERNSHIP THAT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ESTABLISHED CURRICULUM STUDY. FOR A PROGRAM OF READ THE A P P L I C AT I O N ONLINE CPT I NSTRUCTIONS ! I S CPT FOR ME ? Discuss with your academic advisor if CPT is for you. Types of CPT 1. Degree Requirement CPT may be authorized when an internship is a requirement of a degree program (i.e. all students in the program must complete an internship to obtain the degree). Class enrollment in specific course is a requirement. 2. Course Credit CPT may be authorized for students who enroll in a course that requires employment to earn a grade, or a course where students design their own research project based on the employment. Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with the employment. Employment may take place in Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer. Authorization will be granted on a quarter-only basis. However, if a you wish to work for a period longer than the last day of the quarter, you must enroll in the next available quarter before authorization can be extended beyond the current term (see Application Process, below). APPLICATION TIMELINE AT LEAST 2-3 MONTHS PRIOR TO ANTICIPATED CPT START DATE (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO START EARLY) 1. Discuss with your academic advisor if CPT is for you. 2. Find an employer/company where you can do this curricular work. 1-2 MONTHS PRIOR TO CPT ANTICIPATED START DATE (CAN BE EARLIER) 1. Enroll in required course. Your academic advisor will provide you with the course number/code. The IC is unable to tell you which class you need to take. 2. Obtain an offer letter [on company letterhead] including dates, employment, number of hours per week, wage, and worksite address. 1-2 MONTHS PRIOR TO CPT ANTICIPATED START DATE AND NO LATER THAN 7 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO ANTICIPATED START DATE. 1. Type or clearly handwrite your personal and internship site/employer information. 2. Submit your CPT complete application to the IC. At least 7 business days prior to start date of internship 1st day of Internship 2 Completing the CPT Application PRINT THE CPT APPLICATION WHERE TO GET THE CORRECT DATES FOR CPT? For Current and Future CPT dates visit the UCI Registrar’s Calendar: General Academic Calendar 2013-2014 Summer Session 2013 (except MBA students) School of Law Academic Calendar 2013-2014 MBA Summer Session: email your academic advisor as dates are different than the general academic calendar. Start date of CPT will be when instruction begins. End date of CPT will be the date the quarter ends OBTAIN AN OFFER LETTER • • • • • Letter must be printed on employer’s letter head Address of employer Length of employment Wages if applicable Responsibilities (how it relates to your field of study) • Letter must be signed by employer A COMPLETE CPT APPLICATION Complete CPT application form Proof of Enrollment Copy of I-94 card Copy of offer Letter: Proposed dates, hours per week, wages and work site. CPT PROCESS 1 Turn in your application to the IC. You will meet with an advisor and your application will be reviewed. 2 3 Walk-in days/hours: The IC will issue a new I-20 in 7 business days with CPT authorization on the 3rd page. RETURN TO THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER TO PICKUP YOUR NEW I-20 Or By appointment The new I-20 will serve as your employment authorization. www.ic.uci.edu 4 Present I-20 to your employer 5 Note: Starting work before you receive authorization from the IC is not permitted! CPT EXTENSION ADDITIONAL TIME NEEDED 1 CPT EXTENSION If your authorized CPT requires additional time (beyond the quarter end date) you can apply for an extension of the current CPT You will need: A copy of previous offer letter A new CPT application with additional dates and detailed explanation for additional time needed* Copy of I-94 Proof of enrollment (for upcoming quarter) Turn in the application during walk-in hours (www.ic.uci.edu) A NOTE ABOUT THE OFFER LETTER If your CPT is going to last more than 1 quarter, the letter must state the proposed dates. Make several copies of your offer letter. Your internship application will be done on a quarterly basis as needed. E.g. If your offer is for 6 months. You will apply for one quarter at a time. This will require more than one application at different times. R ECO M M E N DAT I O N S You must have been enrolled in 3 consecutive quarters Transferred in students from other institutions may be eligible for CPT the first quarter at UCI; however an appointment with an advisor is required. Transferred in students who did OPT prior to transferring in are eligible not eligible for CPT during their first quarter Apply early: backdating is not permitted Work with your academic advisor for a timely CPT application Full time CPT during the academic year is not permitted You can only start your CPT on the first day of the quarter, not earlier International Center Thank You