Curricular Practical Training

• Students should speak with their academic advisor prior to beginning the CPT request process. This will help determine how the internship/employment experience is related to your program, required course registration, and any other academic department-related requirements.
• ISS can only authorize CPT after the student registers for the academic credit hours tied to their CPT.
• Students must be authorized for CPT by ISS before beginning employment.
• CPT authorization comes in the form of an updated I-20.
• Employment must be directly related to the student’s major.
• CPT employment can be paid or unpaid.
• Students MAY work on campus AND be authorized for CPT at the same time.
• Students MAY work on full-time CPT during ANY semester.
• CPT is a semester-based authorization. A request must be submitted for each semester a student wishes to participate in CPT.
  • CPT Authorization Dates:
    • The earliest start date one may request is the day after the last day of courses for the previous semester.
    • The latest end date one may request is the last day of courses for the semester in which CPT is requested.

In order to apply for CPT, students must:

• Be currently in valid F-1 student status
• Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in an approved SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year
  • Students who have transferred to Metro State may begin in “Day 1” CPT if they already meet this requirement
• During the fall/spring semesters, student must be enrolled in a full course of study while on CPT
  • Exceptions:
    • Students on full-time CPT can study part-time if approved for a Full-Time Equivalency (FTE)—or, for those in their final semester, a Reduced Course Load (RCL)
    • Students on part-time CPT can study part-time in their final semester, if approved for an RCL
• If student is participating in CPT during their final semester, they should be enrolled in at least one course required for degree completion

1. Receive employment offer for an off-campus position directly related to your major. Obtain an offer letter from your prospective employer, on company letterhead, with the following required details:
   1. Name, address, and contact information of employer/site supervisor
      1. If your physical work site is not at the employer address, the letter must include the complete work site address or remote work.
   2. Description of work to be performed
   3. Start and end dates of employment appointment 
   4. Hours to be worked per week
2. Review Metro State’s Internship Program information
3. Meet or speak with a faculty learning evaluator (this person can be identified by consulting with the Dean of your academic program)
4. Complete the Academic Internship Agreement (AIA)
5. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form
6. FTE or RCL (if applicable)
   1. If the student will be participating in full-time CPT and will be enrolled in part-time courses, the student must complete the Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) Request Form and submit as part of the student’s CPT application.
   2. If the student is in their final semester and will be enrolled in less than a full-time course load, the student must complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form and submit as part of the student’s CPT application.
7. DSO review request
   1. A DSO will review the request. If eligible, the DSO will enter the CPT authorization in SEVIS and issue a new CPT approved I-20.
   2. The CPT authorization information will be found on page 2 of the I-20.
8. I-20 received
   1. You will receive your new CPT authorized I-20 by email.