Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
F-1 students may be authorized to participate in CPT if it is an integral part of their respective curriculum.
Curricular practical training is defined as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requests students who want to engage in CPT show evidence of direct course relevance and that the CPT opportunity meet one of the following conditions:
STEP 1) Please review the CPT Overview video before you start.
STEP 2) Fill out the NSU CPT Application, choose the one that applies to you:
STEP 3) Letter from prospective employer including the following:
CPT is only approved for the semesters/term you have registered for the internship class. This often means that CPT is approved one semester/term at a time. You will need to submit another CPT E-form application and get it approved again through our office.
Granted that you have submitted all of the correct information and have registered for your internship class, it will take approximately 3-5 business days to be approved from that day. You will receive an email once your CPT Form I-20 is ready and approved.
We recommend students apply for CPT in advance so that if any problems come up, you have time to makes the necessary changes and can start your CPT on time.
You may begin working once your CPT has been approved by our office and you have received your Form I-20 with CPT listed on page 2.
DO NOT begin working before you have gone through the application process and the CPT shows as approved on your I-20.