Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at Amherst College
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of work authorization specific to international students in F-1 status. CPT is intended for off-campus practical experience that is integral to the curriculum and directly related to a student’s major.
How can I learn more about CPT?
How can I learn more about CPT?
Each Spring, the OIS offers a series of workshops to help students understand CPT. Beyond these workshops, students are encouraged to email us or book an advising appointment to learn more.
Am I eligible for CPT?
To be eligible for CPT at Amherst College, a student will have to meet the following criteria:
- Have been in full-time student status in the US for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing at Amherst College
- Be pre-registered for Learning by Doing: Internship and Fieldwork Reflection (COLQ 390U) for the fall semester immediately following the summer employment/internship
- Have received a summer employment/internship offer that directly relates to the student’s declared major, have obtained a CPT Verification Letter from the employer, and have the employment/internship offer approved by the professor teaching COLQ 390U
- Be studying on-campus in the fall semester immediately following the summer employment/internship in order to participate in and complete COLQ 390U
How do I apply for CPT?
To apply for CPT, follow these steps:
- Receive a summer employment/internship offer for a position that is directly related to your declared major.
- Enroll in COLQ 390U for the fall semester immediately following your summer employment/internship.
- If pre-registration is not available to you, be sure to register for the course as soon as you can. You do not need to be pre-registered in the course in order to apply for CPT, though you will ultimately jeopardize your F-1 status if you do not complete the COLQ 390U course in the semester immediately following your summer employment/internship.
- Prepare required documentation:
- Obtain a CPT Verification Letter, completed and signed by your employer.
- Review and save a copy of your most recent I-94 record, reflecting entry to the US in F-1 status.
- Submit the CPT Request Form.
- Be prepared to provide the following in the CPT Request Form:
- Documentation listed above
- Information about you and your major
- Contact information for your academic advisor and professor of COLQ 390U
- Contact information for the COLQ 390U professor is provided in the request form for those who cannot pre-register and do not yet know who their professor will be.
- Details of your summer employment/practical training experience
- Statement of direct relationship between your major and your summer employment/practical training experience
- Be prepared to provide the following in the CPT Request Form:
- Wait for your academic advisor and professor of COLQ 390U to approve/deny your request. You will receive automated emails to inform you of your request's progress. If your academic advisor and/or professor of COLQ 390U requests more information from you, edit and resubmit your original CPT Request Form submission.
- Your academic advisor will be asked to confirm whether:
- You have formally declared the major/s listed on your request form
- Your employment/internship is directly related to your declared major/s
- You are in good academic standing
- Your professor will be asked to confirm whether:
- You are enrolled in (or, if pre-registration is not yet open, you will be eligible to enroll in) the CPT-eligible course for the term noted in your request form
- Your employment/internship is approved for inclusion in the CPT-eligible course
- The course description provided in the request form is accurate
- Your academic advisor will be asked to confirm whether:
- If approval is received from your academic advisor and professor of COLQ 390U, expect the OIS to issue your CPT I-20 in 1-3 business days. You will receive a confirmation from the OIS once the CPT I-20 has been issued.
If you have any questions about CPT at Amherst College, please do not hesitate to email us.