What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
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CPT allows international students studying in the United States permission to gain employment training and to engage in paid internship programmes off-campus. Curricular Practical Training or more commonly referred to as CPT allows international students wanting to study in the United States of America permission to gain employment training.
Curricular Practical Training more commonly referred to as CPT allows international students wanting to study in the United States of America permission to gain employment training and to engage in paid internship programmes off-campus. Students can either opt to work full-time (more than 20 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours or less per week) and gain work experience in their area of interest along with earning in US Dollars.
CPT Full Form
CPT full form is Curricular Practical Training and it allows international students who have come to the United States to study on an F1 visa to be eligible for off-campus employment when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program.
What is the eligibility for CPT?
Candidates who are looking for employment under the CPT Programme, need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Students are required to have enrolled in a full-time one-year course on a valid F-1 Visa
- The CPT employment must be an integral part of the student’s degree program or a requirement for a course for which the candidate would receive academic credit
- The job offered to the candidate must belong to the parallel discipline of study/ research of the candidate
- The candidate needs to receive prior CPT authorization from the International Student Office. And once approved, the candidate is required to work for the specific employer and for the specific time frame mentioned. The CPT authorization will also contain information about whether the candidate is allowed to work full-time or part-time.
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What does CPT mean for international students?
The Curricular Practical Training or CPT Programme allows students enrolled in their first semester of classes to begin working immediately. A maximum of the Curricular Practical Training Programme happen off the campus, where international students are offered employment or paid internships off the campus.
How to Apply for CPT
Candidates who are going to the United States of America for higher education and want to enrol for the CPT Programme can check out the CPT Application Procedure mentioned below:
- Candidates planning to enrol for CPT are advised to start early as the process is lengthy and could take up to 2 weeks (longer during peak season)
- Candidates would be required to take the CPT Online Certification Course and complete it
- He would be required to get a Detailed Training Description from his employer and inform his Faculty Advisor about the same
- The candidate would have to then provide all the relevant documents and information to the International Student and Scholar Advisor who would review the CPT application
- Once everything is in order, you will receive approval for your CPT I-20, which the candidate should ideally take a printout of and sign it and keep safe. No paid or unpaid work can be undertaken until the candidate has received the CPT I-20
Candidates should be aware that working full-time on CPT for 12 months would make them ineligible to apply for OPT. Hence, candidates are advised to work part-time on CPT or full-time for less than 12 months to be eligible for OPT. Read: Know the difference between CPT and OPT.
Benefits of CPT
The CPT program benefits the students in multiple ways as it allows international students the opportunity to help cover tuition costs and at the same time gain valuable work experience and obtain a master’s degree. Those who are opting to work under CPT should have their jobs based on the course of study in the US university. It is beneficial for students to work on an F1 visa under CPT in the USA to gain work experience beforehand, before actually going for a full-time job. Read: All about Post Study Work Permit in the US
Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can sign up for free counselling at - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: What is Northwest Missouri acceptance rate?
The Northwest Missouri acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. This shows that the university follows a moderate selection criteria when it comes to admission. However, the moderate selection criteria does not imply that the university accepts every application. International students must showcase their excellent academic performance, score high GPA, submit standardized test scores and English language proficiency test scores. In addition, if a student has a history of participation in relevant extracurricular or experience, their selection probability increases by 50%.
Q: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
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