Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

You may begin your internship as soon as you meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the Career Center and ISS and you receive the proper authorization from both offices. You should only work during the approved CPT dates reflected on page 2 of your I-20.

Additional requirements for international students:

F-1 students must fulfill at least one academic year at FAU (two consecutive full-time semesters) prior to being eligible for CPT, which in turn will allow participation in an internship

Exceptions:

Students who pursue a graduate level degree with a required practical component (immediate internship participation required) within the program of study may engage in CPT from their first semester at FAU.

Students who are transferring from another program in the U.S. or starting a new program following a period of OPT may request CPT in their second semester of study at FAU.

J-1 students may engage in AT any time during their program of study on a part-time basis (but this time will be deducted from the total period of AT eligibility; review the  AT handout  for more information).

Yes.

F-1 Students:

• Paid and unpaid on-campus internship positions may be authorized as on-campus employment if not exceeding 20 hours per week or as CPT if exceeding 20 hours per week (F-1 students). Please note that regular on-campus jobs cannot exceed 20 hours per week during fall and spring (but may exceed 20 hours per week during the summer session for students continuing enrollment from spring).
• Paid and unpaid off-campus internships must always have CPT authorization and may be authorized full-time or part-time depending on the internship criteria. ISS advisors will advise you accordingly.
• ISS limits CPT authorizations to no more than  two semesters per degree level. While there is no regulatory limit on part-time internships, students who wish to engage for a third internship must meet with an ISS advisor prior to requesting the authorization. We must ensure that this opportunity continues to be integral to students' program of study (for degree credit or degree completion requirements) and establish new learning objectives with each CPT authorization.
• Students who completed all coursework except for thesis or dissertation credits may apply for CPT under the condition that the internship is required to collect research directly for thesis/dissertation
• Students cannot be approved for only CPT in their final semester; student must take a course required for degree completion in addition to CPT authorization in the final term to be considered for approval.
• 12 months of full-time CPT will cancel eligibility for OPT

J-1 Students:

• J-1 students must receive AT authorization for paid and unpaid internships on or off-campus. AT may not exceed 20 hours per week while students are enrolled in their program of study AT may be authorized full-time or part-time (min. 20 hours per week) after completion of the program of study.

An SSN is not required to apply for positions, however, you do need the SSN in order to engage in a paid internship. The SSN is only issued for paid internship (not for unpaid positions). You will be eligible to apply for the SSN after you receive the CPT or AT authorization.

Please read the Social Security application guide for more details. To request SSN letter from ISS office please complete the  Letter Request Form

1. Fill out the internship/coop application form with the Career Center. Contact an Internship specialist at  intern@fau.edu  to learn more about the internship program.
2. After you secure an internship position, submit your  CPT Application Form  and supporting documentation (F1 Students) OR  AT application  and supporting documentation to International Student Services.
3. Pick up your I-20 with CPT authorization or your DS-2019 with AT authorization
4. Provide a copy of the I-20 or DS-2019 form to the Career Center.
5. Complete internship course registration with the Career Center.
6. Apply for your  Social Security Number (SSN) if you do not already have one. To request SSN letter from ISS office please complete the  Letter Request Form
7. Submit appropriate documentation to your employer/internship supervisor.
8. Complete all internship/co-op program requirements by the deadline dates to ensure that you receive a Satisfactory grade for the internship/co-op course.

1. Meet with the faculty advisor for the internship program to discuss internship options and requirements.
2. After you secure an internship position, submit your  CPT Application Form  and supporting documentation (F1 Students) OR  AT application  and supporting documentation to International Student Services.
3. Register for the internship course through your department and email  ISSS@fau.edu  and  intern@fau.edu  proof of course registration (must be completed before the semester add/drop deadline
4. Pick up your I-20 with CPT authorization or your DS-2019 with AT authorization.
5. Apply for your  Social Security Number (SSN)  if you do not already have one. To request SSN letter from ISS office please complete the  Letter Request Form
6. Submit appropriate documentation to your employer/internship supervisor.
7. Complete all internship/co-op program requirements by the deadline dates to ensure that you receive a Satisfactory grade for the internship/co-op course.