Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary authorization for practical training directly related to your program of study (major, not minor). Practical training can include internships (paid or unpaid), paid training programs, employment, or practicums. All internships that international students complete while at Luther must be authorized as CPT, and must be done for credit. CPT must be part of an established curriculum and must be integral to your major (not minor). CPT during a school semester will be limited to 20 hours per week, but during breaks such as January term or summer it may be either part- or full-time. If you exceed 365 days of full time CPT, you are not eligible to apply for OPT. (Please note that on-campus work study is treated separately from CPT, and as per F-1 regulations cannot exceed 20 hours per week while classes are in session)
To be eligible, you must:
At Luther, it is the responsibility of your academic major department to determine whether the proposed off campus training experience is curricular, i.e. related to your major, and worthy of academic credit. You should discuss the internship with faculty in your area of study to determine its relevance to your major and the number of credits.