Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION MATERIAL

Employment under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) permits you to work off campus in a job directly related to your field of study. There are important differences between CPT and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Make sure you read the info on OPT to understand which might work best for your situation. You might use both kinds of practical training, though not simultaneously.There are two kinds of Curricular Practical Training:

• training that is required by the established curriculum, but carries no academic credit. However, there are very few programs at the University of Oregon requiring such training.
• training that is an integral, but not required, part of the curriculum, and that does provide academic credit. Many internships fit into this. Academic credit is necessary if you wish to use this. It means you must talk with your academic adviser to receive credit, perhaps through something like a practicum course that is already in your major department. You must enroll for the credit, pay tuition for it, and receive a grade or P/NP.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For all forms listed here, please refer to "download application material" section above.

Procedures:

1. Meet with your academic adviser to discuss your training, and have that person endorse the certification form.
2. Make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser. Bring a copy of the job offer, the completed forms, your unofficial transcript from Duckweb, and your Form I-20.
3. The International Student Adviser will endorse your Form I-20 to note the name, dates, and location of your employment. This is the only authorization needed to make your employment legal. Your employment authorization is specific to that job.

There is no limit on the amount of part-time CPT you can use. Also, part-time OPT will not subtract time from your CPT. However, if you work one or more years of full-time CPT, you lose eligibility for Optional Practical Training.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Taxes: Income earned by F-1 visa holders is subject to applicable federal, state and local income taxes unless exempt by virtue of a tax treaty. Employers are required by law to withhold those taxes from paychecks.

If your employer would like information about tax withholding for international students authorized to work, please refer them to Taxation of International Students.