UC Irvine International Center
Curricular
Practical Training
Index
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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