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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

  • Cranwell has paused new CPT authorizations while it evaluates recent SEVP guidance (Broadcast Messages 2608-01 and 2608-02).
  • Exception: CPT requests will still be processed for programs where practical training is required (not optional), appears on the official graduation checklist for the student's major, and is required of every student in that program regardless of F-1 status.
  • If you already have CPT authorization for this semester, you are not affected by this pause.
  • If you have a pending CPT request in the IntlHokies Portal, Cranwell will contact you directly about your options.
  • Do not enroll in an internship course or submit a CPT request until you've confirmed with your academic advisor that practical training is a required part of your program.
  • Cranwell cannot respond to individual questions about CPT this week due to mandatory Duration of Status webinars — watch your email for updates.

On August 12, and again on August 24, 2026, the US federal government, through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), issued Broadcast Messages 2608-01 and 2608-02 clarifying when an international student in F-1 status may be authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Considering this new SEVP guidance, the Cranwell International Center is pausing new CPT authorizations to ensure continued compliance with these updated federal guidelines.

At this time, we will only process CPT requests for students enrolled in programs of study in which practical training is a required and integral part of the established curriculum, meaning:

  • The training is not optional or elective.
  • The training appears on the student's official graduation checklist for their major (not minor).
  • The training is required for every student in that program (F-1 status or not), as specified in the university catalog.

International students in F-1 status who have already received CPT authorization for the current semester will not be impacted by this pause.

Students with currently-pending CPT requests in the IntlHokies Portal will receive direct communication from our office regarding their individual circumstances and options moving forward.

We are currently compiling a comprehensive list of programs and courses that meet this threshold and will share it as soon as it is finalized on international.vt.edu. Until that list is available, please do not enroll in an internship course or submit a CPT request to Cranwell unless you have confirmed with your academic advisor that practical training is a required, essential part of your degree program.

If SEVP releases additional guidance that allows for the authorization of CPT in additional situations, or an applicable court order permits the same, we will update our guidance accordingly.

We understand this news may be disappointing, and that many of you are counting on these opportunities. Please know that this pause reflects our commitment to protecting the F-1 status of our students while ensuring Virginia Tech remains in compliance with federal requirements.

At this time, the Cranwell International Center is working to provide guidance and resources concerning the concurrently released changes to Duration of Status and will be hosting mandatory webinars this week. Due to these existing commitments, we will not be able to respond to individual questions about the CPT changes at this time. Please continue to check your email for updates about our processes and advising on CPT authorization as they become available.

We also recognize that work experience is an important part of the student experience, and that practical training can be central to your academic and professional growth. Our office will continue working with our academic partners across campus to explore where such opportunities can be structured to meet federal requirements, and we will keep you updated as that work progresses.

What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?

CPT is a temporary work authorization granted by an International Student Advisor that allows F-1 students to pursue practical training directly related to their field of study while they are still earning their degree.

We offer frequent CPT Workshops to help you understand the processes and timing decisions related to Curricular Practical Training. You can also self enroll in an online, self-paced version of the CPT workshop.

CPT is defined as an alternative work/study, internship experience, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with Virginia Tech. The following opportunities require CPT authorization, regardless if they are paid or unpaid:

  • Internships 
  • Cooperative (co-op) education experiences
  • Practicum participation 
  • Other training and/or employment opportunities as required by your program of study  

Please note that F-1 students are eligible to work on-campus (i.e. dining, bookstore, administrative offices, library, teaching or research assistant, etc.) without requiring CPT authorization from an International Student Advisor. If you have any questions about your opportunity and are unsure if it requires CPT authorization, please reach out to your International Student Advisor. We also recommend attending one of our OPT seminars throughout the semester.

Participation in CPT requires that the training you participate in be integral to your established curriculum and that it must be directly related to the your major area of study. This requirement is fulfilled by being enrolled in an internship, cooperative (co-op) education program, practicum, independent study, or similar course during the semester you plan to work. You can fulfill this requirement by being enrolled in the appropriate course, as follows: 

Undergraduate Students

  • OPTION 1: You must be enrolled in a departmental course if the training is a required part of your academic program and/or part of your plan of study. If you will participate in a departmental course and have questions about requirements and/or enrollment, please reach out to your Academic Advisor directly. 
  • OPTION 2: You must be enrolled in a course through the Cooperative Education and Internship Program (CEIP), which is facilitated by the Career and Professional Development Office.
    • If you plan to work 4-31 hours per week, you will be enrolled in CEIP 3084.
    • If you plan to work 32 hours or more per week, you will be enrolled in CEIP 4084.

Graduate Students

  • OPTION 1: You must be enrolled in a departmental course if the training is a required part of your academic program and part of your plan of study. If you will participate in a departmental course and have questions about requirements and/or enrollment, please reach out to your departmental or dissertation advisor directly. 
  • OPTION 2: You must be enrolled in a course through the Graduate Cooperative Education Program:
    • If you are currently pursuing your Master's, you will be enrolled in GRAD 5944.
    • If you are currently pursuing your PhD, you will be enrolled in GRAD 7944.

To be eligible to apply, students must:

  • Be enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year (two full semesters) before employment is set to begin - if you are a transfer student, time enrolled at a previous university counts towards this requirement; 
  • Meet the minimum GPA requirements:
    • Undergraduate students: 2.0 or higher
    • Graduate students: 3.0 or higher
  • Have no registration holds;
  • Have an employment offer letter;
  • Confirm enrollment (or the intention to be enrolled) in the applicable co-op course:
    • Undergraduate students need to confirm enrollment in CEIP 3084, CEIP 4084, or the required co-op course through their academic department.
    • Graduate students need to be confirm enrollment in GRAD 5944 (Master's), GRAD 7944 (PhD), or the required co-op course through their academic department.

Students may participate in CPT during the fall, spring, or summer semester. The authorization is issued on a semester-by-semester basis, so a new request must be submitted for each semester.

If you will graduate in the term in which you have CPT authorization, your last day of employment will be your program end date.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Graduate students with an assistantship must seek approval from their academic department in order to participate in CPT that starts after their contract start date or before their contract end date.

When participating in CPT, students will need to continue to maintain their full-time enrollment, as follows:

Undergraduate Students

Participation in part-time CPT during spring/fall will require full-time enrollment in at least 12 credit hours in order to maintain F-1 status. All other CPT participation (i.e., full-time CPT during spring/fall OR any CPT during summer) will not require enrollment in any additional credit hours in order to maintain F-1 status.

Graduate Students

Participation in part-time CPT during spring/fall will require full-time enrollment in at least 9 credit hours and the 0 credit co-op course in order to maintain F-1 status. All other CPT participation (i.e., full-time CPT during spring/fall OR any CPT during summer) will not require enrollment in any additional credit hours beyond the 0 credit co-op course in order to maintain F-1 status.

  • Obtain an employment offer letter with the following information:
    • Employer's name
    • Employer's address
    • Employment start date
    • Employment end date  
    • Employer's contact information (email address and/or phone number)
    • Number of hours that will be worked per week
    • Brief job description
  • Be enrolled (or prepare to be enrolled) in the applicable course that fulfills the academic requirement. 
    • If you plan to be enrolled in a course through your academic department, you will need to reach out to your Academic Advisor for more information on this process. If you are applying for CPT authorization before the add/drop date, your Academic Advisor can confirm your intent to be enrolled in the appropriate course when they complete their portion of the "Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request" e-form submitted in Step 3. 
    • If you will do not plan to be enrolled in a course through your academic department: 
  • Submit the "Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request" e-form through the IntlHokies Portal. 
  • Wait for final confirmation from your International Student Advisor, confirming that your CPT authorization has been approved and your updated Form I-20 has been issued. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not begin working until you have been notified by your International Student Advisor or your SEVIS record could be at risk for termination.

  • Accepting employment: While a student may accept an employment offer before they receive CPT authorization, they may not begin working until they receive authorization. Students who work without authorization are considered to be in violation of their status and their SEVIS record can be terminated. 
  • On-Campus Work: During full-time CPT, students are not eligible to work on-campus. During part-time CPT, students can continue to work on-campus but may not work more than 20 hours per week with both jobs combined.
  • Student Medical Insurance: Students are required to maintain their student medical insurance, even if they are participating in full-time CPT off-campus. 
  • OPT Eligibility: Students who accumulate 12 months (365 days) or more of full-time CPT authorization will lose their eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Less than 12 months of full-time CPT and any amount of part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.
  • Social Security and Other Taxes: In general, F-1 students are subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes. Students must file a tax return each year that they earn an income, which will determine if any of the withheld taxes can be refunded to you. It is the responsibility of the student to file federal and state taxes each year, even if there is no employment. You can read more about this on our Tax Information website.