Office of International Programs Homepage

Calendar of Events

For International Students and Scholars:
 • For New Students
 • For New Scholars
 • For Current Students and Scholars

Study Abroad:
 • General information
 • Study-Abroad Guide (51-page PDF)
 • Approved Programs
 • Summer Programs
 • Nairobi Exchange Program
 • BMC Study-Abroad Application Form (80K Word document)

You should always consult with the Office of International Programs before beginning any employment. Please note that it is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations that apply to students in F-1 status, including employment regulations. Working without the proper authorization is a serious violation of your student status; it renders you illegally present in the United States . Any illegal employment even for one day, even if you did not know it was illegal, poses a grave threat to your ability to remain in or return to the U.S. Make sure that you have the necessary employment authorization before you begin work.

Eligibility Requirements

Curricular practical training (CPT) is employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

To be considered curricular practical training, the work must not only be related to your major field of study, but must also be an integral or important part of your studies. A work or training experience that is required by your degree program meets the requirements for practical training, regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for your work. If you are a graduate student maintaining lawful F-1 student status, and if the proposed employment is a required part of your studies, you may apply for permission to engage in CPT at any time.

Training which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for CPT if you receive academic credit for the employment experience and if it is an important part of your studies. In addition, you must have completed nine months of full-time study in order to eligible for any time of CPT.

Part-time vs. Full-time Curricular Practical Training

Part-time Training

Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled for classes is considered part-time CPT. The employment authorization written on page 3 of your I-20 will specify permission to engage in part-time training and you must limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time curricular practical training, but you must simultaneously be enrolled full-time in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

Full-time Training

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training, regardless of whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time for classes. The employment authorization on page 3 of your I-20 will specify permission to participate in full-time training. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time CPT. However , if you participate in twelve months or more of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for post-completion optional practical training.

Application Procedures

Your should first contact the Office of International Programs to evaluate your eligibility for CPT and the proposed employment opportunity to determine whether or not both you and the job meet the eligibility requirements. If all eligibility requirements are met, you will bring the following documents:

•  an offer letter from your employer on company letterhead

•  a letter from your academic advisor recommending the practical training experience; the letter should include the following:

•  Description of practical training which is being proposed and whether the training is required or credit will be given;

•  Beginning and ending dates of the proposed training;

•  Name of company which will offer training;

•  Location of the company (city and state).

If you meet the eligibility requirements, the Office of International Programs will process your request by authorizing either part-time or full-time curricular practical training in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and generate a new I-20 for you.

You must not continue employment beyond the date authorized unless you apply and are granted an extension of your permission to work.

Social Security Numbers and Taxes

If you plan to work in the US you must have a Social Security Number. Please visit OIP for instructions on how to apply for a Social Security Number. The Social Security Administration will process your application and a number will be sent to you in about two weeks.

In general, F-1 students who have been in the U.S. in less than five years are exempt from social security (FICA) and Medicare taxes. You should be sure to bring this to the attention of your employer because many employers are not familiar with this provision of the tax laws. If you need more information about the F-1 social security and Medicare tax exemption, please see Internal Revenue Service Publication 519 U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens (available for downloading at http://www.irs.gov/).

Students in F-1 status are subject to all other taxes that may apply: federal, state and local (but check Publication 901 U.S. Tax Treaties to see if your country is one of the few that has a tax treaty with the U.S. allowing students to exclude a limited amount of earned income from federal taxation (available for downloading at http://www.irs.gov/).