F-1 Practical Training
Practical training employment may be authorized to an F-1 student who has been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year. Employment must be directly related to a student's academic field of study (item 5 on I-20). Student's enrolled in an english language program or distance program (ISDP) are not elligible for practical training.
If you would like to request Practical Training authorization:
- PT Step 1: Review the materials on Slutzker Center website and attend the CPT or OPT seminar.
- PT Step 2: Make a PT Step 2 appointment and bring ALL required application materials to the appointment.
Do not make an appointment until you have all of the required materials; incomplete applications will not be processed until they are complete.
- PT Step 3: Pick up your new I-20 authorizing PT and any additional application materials at the Slutzker Center front desk.
There are two types of Practical Training:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary pre-degree completion off-campus employment authorization granted by the Slutzker Center for work integral to a student's program of study and directly related to an F-1 student’s current major or program.
Additional CPT Information... - Optional Practical Training (OPT) initially 12 months of pre- or post- degree completion employment authorized by USCIS for work directly related to a student's major area of study.
Additional OPT Information...