As regulated by U.S. federal law, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus internship or practicum which is “an integral part” of an international student’s academic program. If a student is required to complete an internship before graduating in his/her major, s/he must obtain approval for off-campus employment from the Office for Global Education.
To apply for CPT, the student must ask his/her academic advisor to complete the Curricular Practical Training Advisor Form verifying that employment is an integral part of the academic program. The completed form must be returned to the Office for Global Education for approval and entry into the SEVIS system. Any international student at University of Lynchburg must have this form completed prior to beginning employment to comply with federal regulations regarding off-campus employment.
A copy of the Internship Offer Letter from the employer must also accompany the form.
F-1 students may participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) that is directly related to the student’s field of study, provided that the training is appropriate for the level of study, and is an “integral part of the established curriculum.” CPT can be an internship, practicum, field placement or other type of employment that is either required for the student’s degree program or counted towards the degree.
For additional information, please contact Heather Ryan-Sigler at sigler.h@lynchburg.edu.
