Practical Training
Opportunities for
International Students

CPT Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Curricular Practical Training, students must meet the following criteria:

Program length

• Complete one full academic year (two 16-week semesters/4 eight-week sessions) of study
• Complete the required CPT Workshop
• Achieve and maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 or higher

Graduate Students

• Complete one eight-week session of study
• Complete the required CPT Workshop
• Achieve and maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 or higher

CPT Application Process

Attend a CPT Workshop: Workshops are held in week two of each eight-week session and explain the details and requirements of the upcoming CPT course.

Submit Required Documentation:

• Official Job Offer Letter from an employer stating whether the employment is full-time (over 20 hours per week) or part-time
• Job must be in your field of study
• Work location must be within a 100-mile radius of the CalMU location where you are studying

Enroll in CPT Course:

The initial eight-week Career Practical Training course consists of three semester credits, will be graded, and will count toward your total degree program requirements.

CPT Extension

Students desiring to continue their CPT through the University's full-time or part-time CPT Extension courses must:

• Contact the Designated School Official (DSO)
• Confirm the continuation of their CPT employment
• Provide an updated Job Offer Letter if their employer has changed

Important CPT Policies

Attend a CPT Workshop: Workshops are held in week two of each eight-week session and explain the details and requirements of the upcoming CPT course.

• Application Timing: No late CPT course applications will be considered
• Enrollment: Not guaranteed and is limited based on space availability and meeting admission requirements
• Travel Restrictions: Students may not leave the United States for business-related travel during CPT
• Course Requirements: Students must attend and fully participate in required CMU course work and all assignments during the eight-week session
• Full-time CPT Limit: Students who work for a total of 12 cumulative months of full-time CPT (work consisting of more than 20 hours per week) are no longer eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• CalMU’s Full-time Limit: The university has set a limit of five total sessions (10 months) of full-time employment during all CMU degree programs
• Waiver Requirement: Students who wish to exceed the five-session limit must sign a university waiver form acknowledging they understand that if they take a sixth session (12 total months) of full-time CPT, they will not be eligible for OPT

OPT Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Optional Practical Training, you must:

Undergraduate Students:

• Have been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one academic year
• Maintain valid F-1 status at the time of application
• Apply for OPT before completing all degree requirements or within 60 days of completion

OPT Duration

• Standard OPT: Up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization
• STEM Extension: Students with qualifying degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for an additional 24-month extension

CalMU's STEM-designated programs include:

• Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
• Master of Business Administration with Data Analytics concentration

OPT Application Process

• Attend an OPT Workshop: The International Student Office offers regular workshops explaining the OPT application process.
• Meet with DSO: Schedule an appointment with the Designated School Official to review your eligibility and required documentation.
• Prepare and Submit Form I-765: The DSO will help you prepare Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and supporting documents.
• USCIS Processing: Submit your application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for processing (typically takes 90-120 days).
• Receive EAD Card: Once approved, you’ll receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.

Important OPT Policies

Important CPT Policies

Attend a CPT Workshop: Workshops are held in week two of each eight-week session and explain the details and requirements of the upcoming CPT course.

• Application Timing: No late CPT course applications will be considered
• Enrollment: Not guaranteed and is limited based on space availability and meeting admission requirements
• Travel Restrictions: Students may not leave the United States for business-related travel during CPT
• Course Requirements: Students must attend and fully participate in required CMU course work and all assignments during the eight-week session
• Full-time CPT Limit: Students who work for a total of 12 cumulative months of full-time CPT (work consisting of more than 20 hours per week) are no longer eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• CalMU’s Full-time Limit: The university has set a limit of five total sessions (10 months) of full-time employment during all CMU degree programs
• Waiver Requirement: Students who wish to exceed the five-session limit must sign a university waiver form acknowledging they understand that if they take a sixth session (12 total months) of full-time CPT, they will not be eligible for OPT