On-Campus Employment

Only DEGREE-SEEKING students are permitted to apply for CPT. ESL and Exchange students are not elgibile and all applications from ESL or Exchange students will be rejected.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization for international F-1 students that allows the student to participate in an internship that is part of their academic program. CPT is only available for students who are in a program at TDU in which they will earn a degree. ESL and exchange students cannot apply for CPT.

Students participating in CPT will work as an intern in addition to keeping a full-time student status. CPT authorization allows students to work as an intern while they are still enrolled as a student. CPT is not available after a student graduates.

Every international student is NOT eligible for CPT. Only those students who have already completed a full year of their program can apply.

Before applying for CPT, you must first enroll in an internship course. Once you have done this you can begin the CPT Authorization Request by clicking the ‘apply now’ button on this page.

Before you apply for CPT, read this information thoroughly and contact the ISSS Office if you have any questions.

• A student who is eligible for CPT meets the following conditions:
  • full-time student who has already completed at least one full academic year
  • currently holds F-1 visa status
  • has not yet completed the academic requirements for their program
  • is enrolled in an academic program that requires an internship in order to earn the dgree OR is enrolled in an academic program that will allow the internship to count as academic credit OR is enrolled in an academic program where the internship is required in order to complete thesis or dissertation research.
• While working as an intern under CPT the student must remain enrolled as a full-time student. CPT is an internship that is meant to enhance a degree program, not simply to provide income for international students.
• While working as an intern under CPT the student may only work for the employer authorized on the I-20 during the application process. You are not permitted to change employers.
• CPT may be approved for part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). For the Spring and Fall semesters, CPT will generally be part-time because you are expected to remain enrolled full-time in classes. If you are looking for a full-time internship your academic advisor must provide written support.
• CPT authorization is given in one semester blocks. If you wish to participate in the internship after the first semester of eligibility, you must go through the CPT Aurhorization Request process again.
• CPT will NOT be authorized after you have already completed your academic program.

If you are an international student with an F-1 visa status, have already completed at least one year of your academic program and believe that you will qualify for CPT because your degree program requires an internship or will give academic credit for an internship, you can begin the first part of the CPT Authorization Request by clicking the “Apply Now” button on this page.

If you do not meet those requirements, you are not eligible for CPT. Do not begin an application if you do not think you are eligible.

Part of the application process for CPT is to attend a workshop so the ISSS Office can give you all the relevant information. CPT workshops are held on the first Tuesday of every month at 3:30pm. Please come to the ISSS Office at 3:30pm on the first Tuesday of any month to attend the CPT workshop. Every student requesting CPT authorization is required to attend a workshop.

Only DEGREE-SEEKING students are permitted to apply for CPT. ESL and Exchange students are not eligibile and all applications from ESL or Exchange students will be rejected.