Curricular Practical Training

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Curricular Practical Training
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Definition of Curricular Practical Training
(CPT)

• CPT is defined by the U.S. Immigration and
  Customs Enforcement (ICE) as employment which is
  an integral part of a students course of
  study. This work experience may be required by
  the students degree program. It may also be an
  elective if it is an important part of the
  program. (http//www.ice.gov/graphics/index.htm)

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Definition of Curricular Practical Training
(CPT)

• CPT may include work/study, internships,
  cooperative education or any other type of
  internship or practicum which is offered by
  sponsoring employers through cooperative
  agreements with the school.

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Eligibility for CPT

• Students must be in good academic standing with
  the university.
• Students must have been lawfully enrolled on a
  full time basis for one full academic year( two
  full semesters/nine months) to be eligible for
  CPT.

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CPT Reporting to SEVIS

• Applications are not mailed and there is no
  extensive waiting period required for the
  approval of CPT.
• CPT application is processed by filing an event
  in SEVIS electronically.
• Long processing times are not required.
• CPT is granted for one semester at a time.
  Students must reapply for each semester of CPT.
• Please remember you are only authorized to work
  during the dates of CPT listed on your new I-20.

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Documents Required from the Student for the CPT
Application

• Submit an Original offer letter from the employer
  on the companys letterhead.
• No e-mailed scanned copies of the offer letter or
  faxed copies of the offer letter can be accepted.
• Complete the CPT application that is provided at
  this workshop.

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Offer Letter Requirements

• The offer letter must contain the following
  information within the body of the letter.
• A. Physical address where you will be
  working. This may or may
• not be the corporation's physical
  address.
• B. Employment starting and ending dates.
  These dates must be
• within the selected semester.
• C. A brief description of your work duties
  and how the job
• relates to your educational program.
• D. The number of hours you will work per
  week.

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CPT Application Process

• Acquire the CPT application packet at this
  workshop.
• Complete the CPT application.
• Obtain the required signatures. Make an
  appointment to see your international advisor and
  submit the application along with the original
  offer letter.
• The advisor will review the application with you.

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CPT ProcessDuring After Meeting with Your
International Affairs Advisor

• The advisor reviews the application and the
  students offer letter. Advisor insures that the
  student has been fully enrolled and verifies
  there are no holds on the students account.
  Advisor signs the application if all documents
  meet the CPT requirements.
• The student will then take the application along
  with a copy of the offer letter to the Career
  Opportunities Center (COC) for their signature.
  COC will complete a Coop registration form and
  submit to the Registrars office, requesting the
  student be enrolled in Coop for the specific
  semester.
• COC will sign the CPT application and the student
  will return the application to the I/A office and
  submit a request for a new I-20 for CPT.

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CPT Request Entered in SEVIS

• The international student advisor will review the
  CPT application and submit the request
  electronically to SEVIS.
• All approved CPT requests should be returned the
  next day electronically from SEVIS.
• Student advisor emails the student to ask them to
  return to I/A office to review and sign their
  approved CPT I-20.
• Student signs the new I-20 and provides the
  employer with a copy of this document.

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CPT Extensions

• If the student decides to request another
  semester of CPT, the student needs to request
  from the employer a new original offer letter
  with the new employment dates.
• The student will obtain a new CPT packet from the
  I/A office and follow the same procedure for
  requesting CPT approval.
• CPT extension should be submitted at least two
  weeks prior to the expiration of the first CPT .

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Commons Errors

• Offer letter has been faxed, scanned or
• e-mailed. (Only original letters can be
  accepted)
• Offer letter does not contain in the body of the
  letter the required information
• A. Physical location where you will work
• B. Beginning and ending dates of the CPT
• C. Description of your job duties and how
  they relate to your degree.

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Sample of Offer Letter

• ABC Motor Company
• 1520 Grand Avenue
• Johnstown, Missouri 65122
• Dear Jim Jones
• We are happy to offer you a coop position as
  an engineer trainee with our company for the
  summer of 2007. Your coop program will begin
  June 1, 2007 and end August 18, 2007. You will
  be working 40 hours per week at our plant located
  at 1825 New County Road in New Madrid, Missouri
  65788 assigned to our engineering department.
• As a engineer trainee you will utilize your
  academic training in mechanical engineering to
  review our quality control processes for
  different automotive parts.
• Regards,
• John Smith, Director of Human Resources

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Additional Concerns

• CPT authorization is for one semester only.
• Students are only authorized to work for the
  employer listed on the I-20.
• Participating in full-time CPT for one year or
  more eliminates your eligibility to apply for
  OPT.
• Student must be fully enrolled by the required
  SEVIS registration date which is normally the 4th
  week of class.

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Cautions

• Be sure the offer letter submitted is an original
  document and the required information is within
  the body of the letter.
• Submit applications at least five business days
  prior to your employment start date.
• Check to insure there are no HOLDs of any type on
  your account.

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Addition Help

• If you have questions or concerns about CPT
  please make an appointment to see your
  International Student Advisor.
• Please call 341-4208 to make your appointment.
• Current student advisors
• Carmina Arriola, Kim Walker, Harold Tubbs