Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students

Overview

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an internship, practicum, or employment that is either required by your degree program or taken for credit. The purpose of practical training is to provide valuable experiences that enhance the skills and competencies you are learning through your Princeton degree program. These experiences must be directly related to the student’s major area of study and an integral part of an established curriculum. As such, you will need approval from both an academic unit and the Davis IC before pursuing CPT. CPT is only available for F-1 students. J-1 students should see Academic Training

Curricular Practical Training is authorized by the Davis IC after an academic review. Once approved, the Davis IC will issue you a new I-20 with the CPT authorization dates listed on page 2. Do not begin employment until you have this form and are in the authorization period.  

For more information, please see the CPT modules on Davis International Canvas site. You will need your netID to log-in. The modules will break down important information regarding CPT such as the application process, eligibility criteria, and post-authorization requirements and reminders for both Undergraduate and Graduate Students. We have also included short recorded presentations for students to learn more about CPT.

Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to receive on-campus/off-campus wages, stipends, fellowships, or payments?

Undergraduate Students

Because CPT is only available to F-1 students when it is an integral part of an established curriculum, undergraduate students are only eligible for CPT if they have declared their concentration and their department offers the Internship Milestone Credit. This Independent Milestone Credit Departmental Data and Contact Table shows which departments currently participate and who the departmental contact is for a student to reach out to with questions.

Please visit the Davis International Canvas site for more information regarding CPT including additional eligibility criteria that must be met.  

 

Graduate Students

Because CPT is only available to F-1 students when it is an integral part of an established curriculum, graduate students are only eligible for CPT in the following scenarios:

  1. If their academic department requires an opportunity.
  2. If their academic department offers an internship course during the term in which the opportunity occurs. Please see below for offerings.
  3. If the opportunity is required for dissertation completion (PhD students ONLY).

Please note, students in dissertation completion enrollment (DCE) status are not eligible to enroll in classes and therefore are not eligible for course-based CPT.  

Please visit the Davis International Canvas site for more information regarding CPT including additional eligibility criteria that must be met.