Curricular practical training is an 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. CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum.
ISS authorizes all CPT, and applications should be submitted well in advance of employment start dates for timely processing. Employment may not begin until authorization is given. Authorization is shown on a print-out of page 2 of a student's I-20.
CPT applications can be found and submitted through ISS Request.
Eligibility Requirements
- Not available for students in English language training programs
- Limited to college, university, conservatory, or seminary students
- May be granted for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment (20 hours per week or more)
- Must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a SEVIS-approved school for one full academic year to be eligible
- Exceptions provided for graduate students who are required to engage in curricular practical training prior to completion of a first year of studies.
CPT Limitations
- Work must be directly related to and commensurate with the level of the student's course of study
- Part-time only during academic semesters, unless it can be academically justified
- A cumulative of 12 months of full-time CPT will disqualify a student from OPT
- May be full-time during vacation periods
Primary Types of CPT Authorized by ISS
- Required CPT: a compulsory internship/field practicum to fulfill degree requirements. It may a specific course or training.
- Elective CPT: a course that is credited to the requirements for a studentʻs degree. It may be an internship or practicum course within the field of study. This work permission is typically limited to the semester the student is enrolled in the course requiring the employment.
- UH Cooperative Education: employment with special restrictions offered through the Mānoa Career Center.
CPT Requirements: Compensation Is Not the Key Factor
Under U.S. federal regulations, whether a training opportunity is paid or unpaid does not determine the need for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization. What matters is whether the training is an integral part of the student’s academic program and directly related to their major field of study.
CPT authorization is required for any off-campus training—such as internships, practicums, or cooperative education—that meets these criteria, regardless of compensation.