Important Update: Court Action on Duration of Status (D/S) Rule:
On Monday, September 14, 2026, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Massachusetts (Presidents' Alliance et al. v. DHS) has issued an injunction,
temporarily blocking DHS from implementing this rule for F and J visa holders. As
a result, the rule ending D/S will NOT take effect on September 15th as originally scheduled, and the current D/S framework
remains in place for now.
What this means is that:
- You and your dependents may continue to be admitted and to remain in the U.S. for Duration of Status, as long as you continue to comply with the terms of your program.
- You do not currently need to apply for an Extension of Stay under the fixed-admission-period system the new rule would have created
- If you are an F-1 student, you are not subject to the rule's new limits on changing your educational objective, transferring institutions, or pursuing additional programs of study – these restrictions also do not go into effect while the preliminary injunction is in place.
- No action is required on your part at this time.
On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule establishing a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure for F nonimmigrant academic students and J exchange visitors. This rule is effective on September 15, 2026, and will impact several aspects of the F-visa and J-visa program regulations. For detailed information regarding the DHS Final Rule, we encourage you to visit Study in the States, the official online resource managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) by clicking HERE. Accordingly, updates to our website content are in progress.
At Nova Southeastern University, we empower you with the edge to excel in a competitive world. Our Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program combines real-world training with academic excellence. As an F-1 student, you'll gain hands-on training through internships, cooperative education, or practicum experience, preparing you for a successful career journey.
What is CPT?
F-1 students can seek off-campus employment authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which includes internships and practical experiences essential to their academic program. This must comply with guidelines established by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Eligibility
To qualify for CPT at NSU, as an F-1 student you must
- be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at an I-20 issuing institution.
- secure an internship directly related to your major.
- complete the NSU CPT Application Packet with approval from your academic adviser.
- submit the completed CPT Packet to intl@nova.edu.
Application Process
Important Dates
End Date: CPT cannot extend beyond the last day of the course for which the CPT authorization has been granted.
Choose the appropriate NSU CPT Application based on your program:
You will need a letter from your prospective employer, including:
- Company letterhead or bona fide company email.
- Date the letter was issued, physical address, and contact information.
- Confirmation of full-time (more than 20 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week or
less) status.
- There is no limit on how many times you can apply for CPT. Federal regulations, however, will not allow a student to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) if 12 months or more full-time CPT has been granted at the same level of education. Part-time CPT does not affect your ability to apply for OPT.
- Full description of training and duties.
- Signature of the authorized hiring officer.
Important: If your employment is arranged through a staffing agency, make sure the letter confirms your employment status and includes the agency's conditions.
CPT Requirements
To be eligible for CPT, the training must be part of the established curriculum and directly related to your major, confirmed by the department Internship Coordinator. You must also:
- maintain valid F-1 status.
- have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (8 months) at the current
educational level.
- Exceptions:
- New graduate students in programs requiring CPT in the first two semesters may start CPT after applying.
- Integrated program students cannot apply for CPT after completing their last undergraduate year.
- Exceptions:
- remain enrolled full-time during CPT.
You will receive internship credit for the training. Degree curriculums which mandate practical training for all students are not required to enroll in an internship class unless required for the degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
CPT is typically approved one semester at a time. For ongoing internships, an updated letter with new dates is required. For new internships, a new application process is necessary.
Approval takes approximately 7-10 business days after submission of all required documents and registration for the internship class.
You may begin working only after CPT approval and receipt of your Form I-20 with CPT authorization.
Yes, but the combined work hours during a full-time school semester cannot exceed 20 hours. Full-time work is permitted during vacation periods.
You must wait one academic year before beginning off-campus employment after changing education levels.
Yes, through authorized CPT and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
No sponsorship is needed during CPT. For post-graduation employment (OPT), employers may choose to sponsor you for an H-1B visa.
Contact Us
Phone:
(954) 262-7240 or
800-541-6682, ext. 27240
Email:
intl@nova.edu
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed weekends and major holidays
Address:
Nova Southeastern University
3300 S. University Drive
Horvitz Admin. Bldg, 2nd Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004