Curricular
Practical
Training
at UC Merced
What is Curricular Practical Training ?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an
employment opportunity, in the United
States, available to an international
student in their field of study, while in
valid F-1 visa status.
Curricular Practical Training
In order to be considered CPT the experience must
be an “integral part of the established curriculum”
and “directly related to the field of study”.
The program may not be restructured, ad hoc, as a
work-around to F-1 visa regulations.
CPT benefits student academic training – it does not
benefit the supervisor or provide a revenue stream to
“interested parties.”
CPT
Credit-bearing training opportunities that
are an integral part of an established
program of study may be used for CPT.
Non-credit internship or training
opportunities that are required by an
established program of study may also be
used for CPT.
Eligibility for
Curricular Practical Training
Student must have maintained fulltime enrollment for
one full academic year (2 semesters) to be eligible.
Exception: Graduate students whose established
academic program requires immediate curricular
training are eligible only if the training or internship is
listed as a required element of the academic degree
program in the current UC Merced General Catalog.
Eligibility exceptions for CPT
A student who applies for and is granted a
reinstatement to F-1 may be eligible for CPT if the
student accumulated fulltime enrollment of at least
one academic year prior to falling out of status.
If the student did not complete one academic year of
fulltime enrollment prior to reinstatement, the “year
“ begins after the reinstatement is granted.
If the training is a required, existing part of the
established academic curriculum for the field (such as
work on an archaeological dig), an exception to the
12-month rule may be considered.
Time and CPT
Students must apply for and use CPT prior to the
completion of the academic program.
A student who has completed all of the academic
credits required for his or her degree program is not
eligible to apply for CPT.
CPT approval will not be given if the credits are in
excess beyond the amount required and/or are not
integral to the completion of the degree program.
Eligibility Exceptions for
Curricular Practical Training
Students approved for an authorized reduced course
load taken during the first academic year are still
eligible to apply and receive approval for CPT.
Time and CPT
CPT may be approved for full-time (20 hours or more
per week) or part-time (less than 20 hours per
week). Certain conditions apply that determine
whether the CPT can be full- or part-time.
CPT can be approved for holidays, vacation periods,
or during the semester.
Time and CPT
Students may apply for full-time or part-time CPT
during their winter or summer vacations only if it is
accompanied by registration for an approved creditbearing course with UC Merced (such as research
units toward the degree) or if it is a published
requirement of an established curriculum.
Time and CPT
Time spent in a study abroad program may count
toward the one academic year requirement only if
the student had completed at least one semester of
fulltime enrollment in the United States prior to going
abroad.
Study abroad outside of the United States, if longer
than five months, could negatively impact a
student’s F-1 status – and CPT eligibility – if the
student’s study abroad program does not permit
student to maintain active enrollment status at UC
Merced.
Time and CPT
The curriculum of a student’s degree program and
the terms of the CPT training offer determine if CPT
should be full-time or part-time.
Students using 12 months or more of full-time CPT
(20 hours or more per week) are no longer eligible
for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at their current
degree level.
Time and CPT
At UC Merced, given the current structure of the
academic programs, CPT is authorized by the
semester.
CPT authorization from International Students and
Scholars requires a letter from the CPT employer;
approval from the dean, faculty advisor and/or
academic advisor; and proof of current student
registration at UC Merced.
Applying for CPT
A student meeting the eligibility requirements
for CPT must also:
Be registered for the credit-bearing course and
have written approval from their department
stating that course is an integral part of the
degree program – or –
Show that the proposed CPT activity is a required
part of the established curriculum and have
written approval from their department – and Present a confirmed offer of employment
Applying for
Curricular Practical Training
at UC Merced
Office of International Affairs
UC Merced Application Process
for Curricular Practical Training
The student will discuss the CPT with their Academic Advisor, determining the
feasibility of a CPT experience in the particular degree program. The department
must agree that the credits acquired during the CPT (if training is not already a
requirement for the established curriculum) will be used as part of the degree
audit for certification.
The student may be required to provide documentation including but not limited
to a letter from the company at the end of the CPT acknowledging that the
student accepted and fulfilled the original job requirements, and may be
required to prepare an academic paper.
UC Merced Application Process
for Curricular Practical Training
The student will seek and acquire a CPT employment
opportunity which is in their field of study.
The student will submit a completed CPT Request Form to ISS.
The student will request a signed offer of employment on
company letterhead stating the following:
beginning and end dates of employment/internship,
the number of hours per week they will work,
the salary,
the duties of the position,
full name, and full address of company location where they
will be working, and
the name and contact information for the supervisor
UC Merced Application Process
for Curricular Practical Training
Student will return to their academic or faculty
advisor and request CPT approval letter on the
school’s official letterhead. No electronic approvals
will be accepted by the ISS
The approval letter for graduate students must be
signed by the faculty member responsible for
awarding the course credits, the Dean of Graduate
Studies and Research and the Dean of the School.
Undergraduate students should see an international
student advisor for guidance on this letter.
Letters Required for
Curricular Practical Training
The letter format and signatures will vary
according to the specific CPT opportunity,
and whether the student is enrolled in an
undergraduate or graduate degree program.
UC Merced Application Process
for Curricular Practical Training
Student makes an appointment to discuss CPT with
International Student Advisor Suki Nawaz,
snawaz@ucmerced.edu, and submits documents at
that time
Student brings an original letter of employment,
original signed letter from department and proof of
enrollment for course(s) or published requirement for
training as part of existing degree program.
UC Merced Application Process
for Curricular Practical Training
Ms. Nawaz will access the SEVIS database record and
approve the student for CPT for the dates stated on
the letter of employment and the signed approval
letter from your school or academic department.
The student will receive a new I-20 which will list the
CPT approval and the dates approved for the CPT on
the third page.
On Curricular Practical Training
A student in Curricular Practical Training is still
considered to be in F-1 status. This F-1 status must
be maintained according to the regulations at all
times.
If the CPT requires a change of address - even for a
summer or semester – the new address must be
reported to the Office of International Affairs (OIA)
within 10 days of the move.