Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is a means by which F-1’s can participate in paid off-campus academic internships during their degree program. The purpose of CPT is academic, not just to work, and must be considered an integral part of your degree program. You must have a specific job offer/internship to apply. If the internship is unpaid/volunteer, you do not need to apply to OIS for CPT but you CANNOT accept any kind of compensation for work performed.
Status:
You must be an F-1 at least one academic year (Fall and Spring) before you can request CPT and have properly maintained your F-1 status each semester during your studies at USC. English Language Academy students are not eligible to apply for CPT.
Hours:
- Work hours are limited to 20 hours per week (part-time) during Fall and Spring semesters and 40 hours a week (full-time) during the summer.
- Total hours worked in any semester for the combined TOTAL of on- and off-campus work cannot exceed 40 hours (including RA/TA positions).
- During summers, you may only be registered for CPT credit and still maintain status. You do not need to submit a Reduced Course Load (RCL) form in this case.
- You can work full-time in your final semester, with department approval, as long as you are at 6 or less credits as an undergrad or 4 or less for a graduate student, and the total units includes the internship course. Also, CPT may be approved full-time when you are registered for your thesis or dissertation units.
- Program extensions will not be granted only for the purpose of doing CPT.
Duration:
CPT authorization is done on a semester-by-semester basis and you must apply separately for each semester you wish to do CPT. CPT can only be authorized during the dates of the specific semester. Restrictions on end dates may occur based on start of TA/RAships. Current general windows for start and end dates of CPT are below but please note they are not guaranteed:
| |
Summer 2009 |
Fall 2009 |
Spring 2010 |
| If this is your final semester... |
May 18 - Aug 11 |
Aug 24 - Dec 16 |
Jan 11 - May 14 |
| If this is NOT your final semester... |
May 18 - Aug 23 |
Aug 24 - Jan 10 |
Jan 11 - May 18 |
PhD Engineering students: Please click here for CPT start and end dates.
CPT and OPT:
Finally, CPT does not interfere with your requesting Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation unless you have done a total of 12 months full-time CPT during your degree program. In this case, you would lose the option to do OPT. Amounts under the 12 months full-time DO NOT cancel any portion of OPT.
APPLYING FOR CPT:
You must register for Academic Credit: In order to have CPT approved, you must be registered for academic credit in an internship course or a class that requires an internship at USC during the semester you wish to do CPT. You must register for credit and go through the application process for each additional semester you wish to do CPT.
Your department can assist you with what internships class you can register for. Some departments, such as Marshall and Viterbi have specific courses to register for but the majority of grad students will need to register for GRSC 596. 790 and 590 are no longer accepted for CPT credit per the USC Registrar. Undergraduate students have the option to take MDA 250, a general internship class, through USC Career Planning and Placement, or an internship class through their department.
Please note: Exceptions to registration and one year F-1 status only occur if the internship hours are required for the awarding of a degree by your academic department. Currently, at USC only the following Masters degree programs have required internship hours: (1) Urban and Regional Planning, (2) Public Administration, (3) Health Administration and (4) CNTV: Peter Stark Program. Students in these four Masters level programs DO NOT need to register for academic credit for CPT.
Engineering students (ENGR 596) - Click on links below to begin
Master’s: http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/graduate/grad_advisement/cpt_index.htm
PhD: http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/phd/cpt.htm
For all other applicants, to begin:
OIS PROCESSING INFORMATION
Once all documents are submitted to OIS and the application is complete, OIS will process an updated I-20 for you within 4 business days, that lists on page 3 the location of internship and whether the CPT is part- or full-time. CPT I-20 start dates will be listed either as the requested start date or the approval date, whichever is later. Again, Viterbi students must begin the application process through their school and the links are provided above.
** Please make sure to keep ALL original copies of any CPT I-20s given to you. These will be required for future USCIS applications such as H-1B and Permanent Residency.
BEGINNING WORK
When you begin work, you and your employer must complete a form entitled "Employment Eligibility Verification" (IRS Form I-9), which the employer provides and retains. This form must be updated every time you receive a renewal of work permission.
Form I-9 information
Social Security and Other Taxes
In general, F-1 students who have been in the U. S. less than five years are exempt from paying Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. However, your earnings are subject to federal, state and local income taxes. Students must file a tax form on or before April 15 each year, which will determine if any withheld taxes can be refunded. OIS will begin releasing tax information for tax year 2008 in January of 2009.
Tax information
Obtain a Social Security Number
