Center for International Programs

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Curricular Practical Training

Curricular practical training is defined as an internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. A student must have completed one academic year of full-time enrollment to be eligible to apply for CPT. Exceptions to this regulation are provided for students enrolled in graduate programs, which require immediate participation in curricular training. If you participate in full-time curricular practical training for twelve (12) months, or more, in the aggregate, you are not eligible for post completion of study practical training opportunities.

How to Apply:

1. Complete the attached CPT Worksheet (PDF) and give it to your academic advisor or department chair.
   
   
2. Obtain an employment offer letter from the company / organization you wish to be employed with. Letter must include job title, job description, and beginning and ending dates.
   
   
3. Register for the class indicated on CPT worksheet, item #4.

Bring the following documents to the Center for International Programs for processing:

1. You current original Form I-20.
   
   
2. Completed CPT Worksheet signed by your academic advisor or department chair.
   
   
3. Employment Offer Letter

If a student qualifies for CPT, the Center for International Programs will authorize it and note the employment authorization on page 3 of the student’s Form I-20. Per USCIS regulations, all students planning to do CPT must apply for and receive official approval from the CIP Office BEFORE beginning employment.

Students who are doing CPT must meet the following requirements: Whether doing part-time or full-time CPT, the student must carry a full course load during the academic year (12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates and nine credit hours per semester for graduates). For example, if an undergraduate student is doing a three-hour internship, he/she must be registered for an additional nine credit hours to meet the minimum 12-credit hour requirement.

Because BGSU required Graduate Assistants to register for 12-units, students with GA positions are eligible for CPT only when required for the degree program.

Students who have completed all required courses for their degree program (but still have a paper, thesis, or dissertation to finish to graduate) ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for Curricular Practical Training. These students must apply for Optional Practical Training.

The above documents are in PDF format, which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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