Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an academic program allowing students to participate in an internship, training, or employment for credit.
The Deadline for submission of 8W2 Spring 2023 CPT forms is: March 6th.
Handshake:
ALL INTERNSHIPS MUST BE FOUND THROUGH HANDSHAKE.
Please ensure that your employer is a registered employer though Handshake. Please ensure that your internship is listed in Handshake. Internships not found through Handshake will NOT be allowed.
Please follow the link to complete an experience form on Handshake: https://unt.joinhandshake.com/stu/experiences/new
Select one of the following Experience Types:
- Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Students: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and IT Internships (Undergraduate for-credit)
- Graduate Degree-Seeking Students: Computer Science & Engineering Internships (Graduate for-credit
Attach a copy of your Offer Letter, Employer Form, and Advisor Form to your Handshake Experience.
CPT Eligibility Criteria:
- You must have completed two long semesters. Spring and Fall are considered as long Semesters. Summer is not a long semester. You are not eligible to do CPT in your very first semester.
- You must have maintained F-1 status to be eligible for CPT.
- If you have completed your degree requirements, you are ineligible for CPT and must apply for OPT.
Important Information:
- If you are working Part Time (20 hours or less a week) at your internship, you must be enrolled as a full-time student i.e., 9 credit hours Graduate
- If you are working Full Time (more than 20 hours a week) at your internship, you can be enrolled as a Part Time student. You may just enroll in the internship class. You do not need to be enrolled in other classes for that semester.
- CPT for shorter periods of time does not affect your OPT eligibility. Part-time CPT does not affect your OPT eligibility either. You only lose your OPT if you complete one year or more (365 days or more) of full-time CPT.
- Students who work on campus for 20 hours a week may also work part-time CPT (20 hours or less).
-The student’s total work hours for each type of employment (on campus and part-time CPT) may not exceed 20 hours while school is in session.
-Please keep in mind, this is only for students who will have part-time CPT.
-This does NOT apply to full-time CPT students. Students who are authorized for Full Time CPT cannot work on campus.
- CPT is approved for each Semester, and you MUST apply for a new CPT I 20 each semester.
- If it is too late to register for the course, then it is too late to apply for CPT for that particular semester.
- You cannot do CPT if you are finished with all of your degree requirements. You must apply for OPT. You MAY NOT extend your program just for CPT.
CPT Application Process
- Consult with the Career Center to begin the process of searching for an internship.
- Find your internship on Handshake.
- Ensure your job offer is an Internship Offer letter, not a full-time job offer.
- An internship job offer must contain a specific start date, a specific end date, a specific employer, a specific location where your work will be performed, a reference to the number of hours per week you will work and a description of your position duties. The job must be in your Major field of study.
- If your employer is not registered or your job offer is not listed in Handshake, please contact the UNT Career Center for instructions on how to register your internship in Handshake.
- DO NOT begin employment prior to the start date.
- DO NOT continue employment after the end date.
- CPT dates should align with specific Semester session dates i.e., Full Term, 8W1 or 8W2. 5W sessions will not be considered for CPT.
- UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: Complete the Employer Form and the Advisor Form: F-1 Curricular Practical Training | International Affairs (unt.edu)
- GRADUATE STUDENTS: CSCE Graduate students must use this Advisor Form for advisor approval: CPT-Form.pdf (unt.edu) .
- Submit your forms by attaching your Offer Letter, Employer Form, and Advisor Form to your Handshake Experience for processing and signing of the Advisor Form by the Advisor.
- Forms submitted directly to the department via email will not be allowed.
- Undergraduate students will be enrolled in Cooperative Education course CSCE 4920 for 1 credit hour.
- Graduate students will be enrolled in Internship course CSCE 5932 for 1 credit hour.
- You CANNOT drop the internship class once your CPT has commenced even when the internship is cancelled or terminated. Dropping the internship course once you have started your CPT is a violation of your F1 status.
- After your Employer and Advisor Forms are completed and signed, submit your CPT request, and upload your CPT forms through iNorthTX.
- An immigration advisor will review your CPT request and you will receive an email confirmation with a CPT I20 that has Off Campus Work Authorization on pg. 2 once your request has been processed.
Allow 5 -7 business days for processing or even longer during peak periods in the CSE Department.
Applications are processed in 5-7 business days in the International advising office.
Following CPT Completion:
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To receive a credit for CPT you have to write a report of your internship experience and submit it to the CPT Advisor at the end of your internship.
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Report your experience! After you complete an internship, student teaching, practicum, co-op, study abroad, or service learning, it’s important to complete this form.
Visit the International webpage for additional information