Curricular Practical Training

CPT will only be authorized for training required of all students to complete a program of study with employers who have an established cooperative agreement with the school.

Curricular practical training (CPT) is defined as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

CPT is not supplemental training experience, but rather a required part of an established curriculum.

All CPT at UWB requires course registration. Those courses are all in-person, meaning you have a face-to-face component (on-campus) with faculty. You cannot take CPT in another state during an academic quarter unless you are completing the training remotely from Washington state.

Application

See detailed information about applying here.

CPT is required for:

  • Unpaid training or internships
  • Paid training or internships
  • Fieldwork
  • Participation in a practicum
  • Offsite experiences with a sponsoring employer

CPT Eligibility:

  • At present, ISS will only authorize CPT for the following courses: BNURS 424; BHS 496; BEDUC 435, 443, 483, 484, 495, 529, 543.
  • Limited to F-1 students who have completed 3 cumulative academic quarters without interruption to their enrollment or SEVIS record.
  • Undergraduate students are not eligible for CPT if they have not yet declared a major.
  • Training must be required of all students in the program of study.
  • Must be registered for qualifying course credit (talk to your academic advisor to see if you are eligible).
  • Training must last no longer than one quarter for each authorization. Each enrolled course needs a separate request and authorization.
  • Must be applied for and approved prior to start of training.

CPT cooperative agreement:

  • Your school must establish and maintain a cooperative agreement with your training provider.
  • The cooperative agreement might be a Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement (MOU/A) or an individual letter that details your training by the employer.
  • An offer of employment or work contract is not the same as a cooperative agreement.
  • Start/end dates and purpose of the training must align with the curricular requirement. If your training is not curricular, please look at OPT.

Important:

  • CPT cannot be issued retroactively. CPT must be applied for and approved prior to the start of the corresponding employment. Working without authorization is considered a serious violation of your F-1 status. This violation will result in the termination of your F-1 status, without grounds for reinstatement, and the possibility of barred reentry to the United States.