Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Form Eligibility, Legal Requirements and the Application Process
CPT Eligibility Requirements for International Students: 1. Academic Requirement: I understand that CPT will be authorized for employment ONLY if I earn academic credit on my transcript (minimum of one credit unless required for a degree program as per course catalog). 2. Eligibility: I am eligible for CPT because I meet all of the below requirements: I have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in the degree program, listed on my visa document, for at least one full academic year, and I am not in a Pathway Program (newly matriculated Pathway students must have completed at least 18 credits towards the completion of their graduate or undergraduate program to be eligible for CPT, Effective September 6, 2017) Note, the summer term is not included in the academic year requirement I have not received any grades of F, U or INC. I am not in my last semester and/or at the one-credit thesis defense stage of my degree program. My GPA is above 3.0 for Graduate or 2.0 for Undergraduate, and I am in good judicial standing (no warning, probation or other negative academic status) For students requesting summer CPT, I am enrolled in at least one course for the subsequent fall semester I will maintain full-time course load at all times during the Fall and Spring Semester Note: CPT policies may differ at various schools and even by academic department within the same school. Each UMass Lowell Academic Department reserves the right to deny a request for CPT at its sole discretion. CPT applications MUST be submitted to the ISSO by the Add/Drop deadline of each term 3. Part-time versus Full-time CPT: I understand that if I become authorized for part-time CPT, I may not work more than 20 hours per week in my CPT job and that if I do so I will be in violation of my F-1 immigration status. If on part-time CPT, student may not exceed an aggregate of 20 hours per week between on campus and off-campus CPT Employment, unless the CPT is required. However, if I am authorized for full-time CPT, I may work full-time for the CPT employer. 4. Effect on OPT: I understand that if I become authorized for more than an aggregate of 12 months of full-time CPT, I will lose eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization. 5. Course Registration: I understand that I must remain registered for the entire semester or summer session for which the CPT will take place. I also understand that I am required to maintain a full-time credit load during academic semester (9 credits for Graduate, 12 credits for Undergraduate), unless approved by ISSO to do otherwise. 6. Grading: I understand that site supervisors should offer an evaluation of my performance, but that the UML CPT faculty advisor has the ultimate responsibility for grading. I also understand that I will not be eligible to apply for OPT or future CPT until I have received a passing grade for CPT. 7. Supervisor Requirement: I understand that I must have a UML CPT Faculty Advisor and a professional level supervisor at the work site. I am expected to consult with the UML CPT faculty advisor periodically throughout the duration of CPT. There should be periodic contact between the UML CPT faculty advisor and the on-site supervisor during CPT to verify that obligations are being fulfilled and to develop an optimum learning experience. 8. Authorization is Employer and Date Specific: I understand that I may not lawfully begin employment until an International Students and Scholars (ISSO) advisor has granted CPT employment authorization through the issuance of a CPT Visa Document (I-20). To do so constitutes a serious violation of my immigration status. I understand that CPT is authorized for a specific employer and that I may not work for any other employer during this period without additional CPT authorization from the ISSO. I also understand that the authorization is date specific and that I may not begin work until the start date of the CPT authorization and I must stop working on or before the end date of authorization (authorization dates are listed on page 2 of the 1-20 form). 9. Authorization is Semester Specific: I understand that this internship is equivalent to a one-semester course. If a placement is continued for a second semester, a NEW application must be submitted to the ISSO. 10. Effects on Other Employment: I understand that I am NOT permitted to work both on CPT and on-campus with a Teaching or Research Assistantship unless the CPT is required for my degree as per course catalog. 11. Other Employment Options: I understand that if I am not eligible for CPT, that I may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which merely requires that the job be in my field of study and does not require academic
credit. I may obtain information on this option from the ISSO and must plan ahead 4-6 weeks prior to my intended employment start date. Please Note Full-Time semester co-ops: Non-Pathway undergraduate students in the Manning School of Business and Francis College of Engineering should contact their respective academic departments as well as the Career and Co-Op Center for information on full-time semester co-op programs and the proper application timelines for said programs. Students on a full-time semester co-op cannot take more than one class while engaging in the co-op. Guidelines for UMass Lowell Faculty Advisor The following will help you evaluate and grade the student s CPT. The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) could at some point request the student, or the UMass Lowell Faculty Advisor to verify how the curricular component was fulfilled. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization granted to international students by USCIS only if the job is an internship, practicum, or other type of employment that is either required by the student s academic program OR an experience for which a student receives academic credit. It does not suffice for it to be only a job experience in the student s field of study. Student MUST fulfill a curricular component with you. It is up to the Academic department to determine if a position qualifies for academic credit and therefore eligible for CPT. If the position does not qualify, then the student is always eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which does not have the same academic restrictions. Optional Practical Training positions simply need to be in the student s field of study. OPT is authorized directly by ISSO and USCIS, and does not require UML faculty approval. Suggested Checklist for Faculty Advisor Prior to Student Starting CPT Job Experience Discuss job with student prior to the start of the CPT Job experience to set academic expectations. Review a detailed job description, which will include job title, dates of employment, salary, # of hours per week Contact student s supervisor to assess if job is integral to the student s field of study and that it fulfills an academic component If job experience is approved, sign this CPT Application Form Student must be in good academic (3.0 for Graduate, or 2.0 for Undergraduate) & judicial standing, be in matriculated status (not in pathway) and have earned 18 credits that count towards their degree. Suggested Academic Assignments Set a schedule with the student to meet and discuss the CPT job experience/progression at least 2-3 times during the CPT experience. It is recommended that a minimum of a 3-5 page (for 1 credit CPT course) or 8-10 page (for a 3 credit CPT course) Business Paper be submitted by the student by the last day of the semester. The paper should include a minimum of the following: o Job Title o 2-3 sentence description of key job responsibilities o Specific start and end dates of employment o # of hours/week o Skills and knowledge gained o How the job experience is integral to the student s degree program o IF student worked on a research proposal, include a description of the problem, project rationale, objectives, methodology, etc o Brief description of the business, organization, research laboratory where the internship was performed, including the organization s mission statement, customer focus, etc. o Organizations complete address, phone numbers, email contact details for supervisor(s) and compensation details
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application Form A. Student Information Family Name: First Name: Student ID No.: Degree: Major: Phone Number: Email Address: Visa Status: F-1 *J-1 B. Employer & Employment Information completed by employer Because student is applying for a future CPT employment term and their current semester grades will be take into consideration, they may become ineligible if their GPA falls below 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates or if student has any outstanding incomplete grades. Company Name: Company Address: Applicant s Job Title: Employment Start Date: Mon Day Yr Employment End Date: Mon Day Yr Full Time (more than 20 hours per week) Does the student have plans to study abroad during CPT period Part-time (20 hours or fewer per week) or otherwise miss substantial CPT time? YES NO Salary: $ hourly weekly biweekly monthly Supervisor s Name: Supervisor s Phone: Supervisor s Email: I have read the UMass Lowell CPT policies & procedures on the back of this form, and understand my responsibilities in supervising the above-named intern. I have provided student with a detailed job offer letter and with job description included in this application. I and the employee listed in section A will adhere to all U.S. Export Laws and Regulations. Supervisor Signature Supervisor s Title Date C. Course / Academic Information * To be Completed by UMass Lowell CPT Advisor Semester: Course No.: Course Title: No. of Credits: Anticipated Completion Date (mm/yy): (please review student s transcript carefully) Course Requirement: The proposed employment is required to earn academic credit for an internship offered in the student s major field of study. Provide here a brief description of student s responsibilities (including meetings with UML CPT advisor, written assignments, other): Name of UML CPT Faculty Advisor: How many coursework/thesis or dissertation credits are REQUIRED for student to complete degree? How many has the student completed: Confirm student s anticipated completion date (mm/yy): How many semesters of Reduced Course Load has the student taken? If GRADUATE student, list type of student: Master s Coursework/Non-Thesis Thesis Dissertation If applicable, does the student have a scheduled defense date? Yes No If YES, when is the defense date: Mon Day Yr *If J-1, student will be authorized for Academic Training, not CPT. Regardless of visa type, the University s international student co-op or internship work authorization policy is the same.
D. Certification by Student and UMass Lowell Advisor Student s Signature Date I certify that I have reviewed this two-page application. I acknowledge that I understand it and will abide by the rules and procedures outlined herein. Failure to comply will cause an automatic termination of my legal F-1 student status. Signature of UMass Lowell CPT Faculty Advisor or Career Services Co-OP Advisor Print Name Date I recommend that the grant Curricular Practical Training employment authorization for this student in acc ordance with federal immigration regulations. I have reviewed the information on page 1-2 of this application and acknowledge that I understand it and will abide by the rules and procedures outlined here. Signature of Thesis/Dissertation Advisor, if applicable Print Name Date Signature of Undergraduate Faculty Advisor Print Name Date For more information on CPT please refer to the ISSO Employment section: https://www.uml.edu/isso/employment/f1-cpt.aspx