To be eligible for CPT, you must...

• Watch the CPT Workshop. 
• Be in lawful F-1 status in the U.S. for at least one full academic year. 
• Be making normal progress toward the completion of your degree. 
• Receive a job offer from an employer for a job that is directly related to your field of study. 
• Receive a job offer letter from the employer with the following information: 
  • Start date and end date of employment 
  • Number of hours worked per week 
  • Supervisor’s email address and phone number 
  • Address of employment 
  • Job title and description of duties (in sufficient detail to explain how the employment is related to your degree) 
• Have been offered a specific training opportunity which falls into one of the following categories: 
  • The training employment is required of ALL students in the program and is necessary for the completion of your degree. Included in this category is employment in a required internship or practicum. 
  • The training employment will result in academic credit in an internship course specifically designed to award academic credit for employment experience. The internship elective must be listed in Rowan’s course catalog and must state in the official course description that it is specifically designed to allow students to engage in off-campus internships. The internship course must be offered by the student’s academic major department.  
  • The student must be enrolled in an internship class that will award at least one credit. 

Note: Students must register and complete the CPT-related course during the semester that they are working under CPT authorization.

During the academic year (fall and spring semesters), students may only engage in part-time CPT—this is defined as no more than 20 hours of work per week. 

During summer, students may engage in full-time CPT (no limit to the number of hours worked, within accordance of U.S. labor laws). 

Doctoral/graduate students who have completed all degree requirements, except their dissertation/thesis, may receive full-time CPT in order to complete their research. 

IMPORTANT: Students who receive 12 months or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT)! 

Please watch our CPT Workshop for detailed instructions on the application process.

All CPT applications must be done via the CPT I-20 request found in Terra Dotta.

If you are participating in paid CPT, you will need a Social Security Number. Please refer to our Social Security Number page for more details on this process.

If you already have a Social Security Number due to on-campus employment, you can skip this step.

• DO NOT begin employment until you receive your new I-20 with CPT authorization from the International Center! 

• Your CPT authorization is valid only for the specific employer, location, time period, and on a part-time or full-time basis as approved and recorded by an International Center advisor. 

• CPT is authorized on a per-semester basis. You may not continue CPT training beyond the date authorized on your I-20 unless you apply for and are granted an extension from the International Center. 

• CPT authorization is granted for specific dates and a specific employer. A new application is required if there is any change of employer, location of employment, or employment end date. Please submit an updated CPT request through Terra Dotta and upload your updated employer letter within the request.