CPT Information

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (INTERNSHIPS)

At Whittier College, internships or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are jointly administered by the International Student Advisor and the Office of Internships & Community-Based Learning.

Before an internship is approved, both the International Student Advisor and Office of Internships must verify students' eligibility requirements. CPT or internships for F-1 visa students are regulated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this respect, the role of the International Student Advisor is to review and determine visa students' status before authorizing CPT. The Office of Internship & Community-Based Learning's role is to review and evaluate students' academic eligibility. The office works closely with faculty internship advisors.

What is Curricular Practical Training?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorization for international students to work before graduation in short-term paid or unpaid work experience positions which are related to an academic program of study/your Whittier College education. At Whittier College we usually use the term "internship" for this type of experience. CPT is the language used by the USCIS.

Are all F-1 students eligible for CPT?
Although CPT is a benefit for F-1 visa students, eligibility is not automatic. Generally, internships are available to undergraduate students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year.

May I work full time or part time?
An internship may be either. You are reminded, however, that you are required to be enrolled as full-time students during the academic year. In order to accommodate this schedule, most approved internships during a fall or spring semester are part-time (10-20 hours per week). Full-time internships defined as more than 20 hours per week by the USCIS, are usually done during the summer.

How many units of internship coursework are required?
Each academic department may have specific unit requirements and/or limitations.

How long does it take to obtain an internship position?
You should plan to begin the process two or three months before the beginning of the semester or summer when you want to do an internship. This allows sufficient time for research, the application process, and personal interviews. Once you are offered an internship position, you cannot begin working until authorized for CPT by the International Student Advisor.

Does CPT authorization just apply to paid internships?
Both paid and unpaid internships are to be noted on your SEVIS record in order to have USCIS authorization.

What about academic credit and CPT (Internships)?
Your internship must be for credit so that it can be documented on your official college transcript.

Do I need a Social Security Card?
If your internship is paid, you must have a Social Security Card.

What do I need to do in order to obtain CPT authorization once I am offered an internship?
Make an appointment with the International Student Advisor.

Bring the following to the appointment:

1. A letter from the company or organization that has offered you the position. It needs to include the following: the name of the company/organization, the title of the internship position, a description of your agreed upon duties/projects, how many hours per week, the start date and the end date (remember the start date has to be after you receive authorization), the name of the person who will be your supervisor, and their title, phone and email information.

2. A letter from you faculty internship advisor stating how the position relates to your course of study, that you are enrolled in their internship/fieldwork or independent/directed study course and that you will be receiving credit for the work experience.

3. Your current I-20. Once your CPT is approved, a new I-20 will be issued to you.
The SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) requires that an internship (CPT) be reported through the mandatory electronic tracking system.

NOTE: you may NOT begin any internship until this authorization is noted on your new I-20.

How do I obtain an internship?
Go to the Office of Internships & Community-Based Learning (Philadelphia House) and make an appointment to meet with the Director to learn how to prepare for, search for and apply for internship positions.

Sally Cardenas, Director
scardenas@whittier.edu
Chris Hankawa, Program Assistant
chankawa@whittier.edu

Phone: (562) 464-4530

Office of Internships & Community-Based Learning
Philadelphia House
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Questions about USCIS regulations & CPT?

Contact Darryl Foy, International Student Advisor dfoy@whittier.edu

Phone: (562) 907-4238.