91女神

Skip to main content

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization which allows you to gain practical training and experience in your field of study while completing your academic program. CPT is available for the following situations:

  • You want to accept an internship, fellowship, Co-Op, off-campus job, etc., whether paid or unpaid.
  • You want to work on campus in a professional staff position
  • You are a Part-Time Border Commuter who wants to work on- or off-campus

CPT is authorized one semester at a time for part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (21-40 hours per week) employment. You must have an offer letter related to your course of study in order to apply.

Review this page for details on upcoming workshop dates, eligibility the CPT application process, and important information about maintaining your F-1 status under CPT.

Students who accumulate over 12 months of full-time CPT during an academic program become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completion of that degree.

Specific questions about CPT should be discussed with an OIP advisor, or you can email global@utep.edu.

CPT Workshops

Will you be engaging in an internship, fellowship, teaching residency, clinical rotation, or any other activity outside of campus? You must first consult the Office of International Programs (OIP) for guidance on whether you require authorization.

Join us for a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) workshop to learn more about the process to apply for this authorization. All students interested in applying for CPT must attend a session at least two months before their opportunity takes place.

Virtual Workshops

In-Person Workshops

  • Tuesday, October 21, 2025: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
    Location: TBD
  • Friday, November 21, 2025: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
    Location: TBD
  • Wednesday, November 26, 2025: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
    Location: TBD
  • Monday, December 15, 2025: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
    Location: TBD

Note: Workshop dates are updated each semester. Review this page for the latest schedule and instructions.

Both the student and the job opportunity must adhere to Department of Homeland Security regulations in order to qualify for CPT.

You must:

  • Be a degree-seeking student who is maintaining F-1 status
    • Non-degree and English Language Institute (ELI) students are ineligible for CPT
  • Have maintained F-1 status at the college/university level for one full academic year at the time your CPT begins
    • Exception: If you are a graduate student and your program requires practical training during the first year, you can be authorized for CPT immediately
  • Have declared a major
  • Obtain a job offer for a position related to your major
  • Not have any holds that prevent you from registering for the semester

Your position must:

  • Be an "integral" part of your academic program
    • Your academic advisor will indicate if the opportunity is "required" or "recommended" for your degree
  • Have a start date in the future. OIP cannot retroactively approve CPT, and you cannot begin working until you are notified that your CPT has been approved.
  • Not interfere with your ability to complete your other required coursework.
    • Remember: You are a student first! Your immigration status is dependent upon being a student. Work authorization is an added benefit.

Step 1: ATTEND A CPT WORKSHOP

Before starting your application, you will need to attend a CPT Workshop .

Note: Workshop dates are above and are updated each semester.

Step 2: Obtain a Job Offer Letter

Your job offer letter must be on official company letterhead and include the following information. See the Offer Letter Sample for reference.

  • Full company name
  • Full street address (employment location)
  • Job title
  • Detailed job description (must be directly related to your major)
  • Number of hours per week
  • Exact start date
  • Exact end date (CPT is authorized one semester at a time)

Important: If your offer letter is missing any required information, it will be rejected and must be resubmitted. This will restart your processing time, so review carefully before submission.

Step 3: Report your job

  • Report your job to the 91女神 Career Center via Handshake. Follow the instructions linked on this page.
  • You must be enrolled in the non-credit co-op course.

Working without authorization is a serious immigration violation.

Step 4: Submit Your CPT Application

Submit your CPT Application through Sunapsis at least two weeks before your onboarding process. Applications are reviewed in the order received and cannot be expedited.

Your academic advisor (and the Graduate School, if applicable) must approve your request before it reaches OIP for review.

Apply early: CPT approval is not guaranteed and processing takes time. Do not make travel plans before your CPT is approved, as this may affect your immigration status.

Step 5: Additional Requirements (If Applicable)

Full-Time CPT (21–40 hours/week)

If you have on-campus employment (including assistantships), submit a department letter confirming that you will not hold any on-campus position during your CPT period. F-1 students cannot hold full-time CPT and on-campus employment at the same time.

BORDER COMMUTER STUDENTS

If your CPT opportunity is outside the El Paso area, you must update your I-20 to change from border commuter to non-border commuter status. Submit the Updated Confirmation of Financial Resources (CFR) application with new financial information along with your CPT application in Sunapsis.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

If you do not have an SSN, also submit the Social Security Letter Request in Sunapsis. The Social Security Administration may take 2–4 weeks to issue your SSN card, so apply early to ensure you receive it before your CPT start date.

Step 6: Check Your Email and Pick Up Your I-20

Check your UTEP email regularly. An OIP Advisor will contact you if additional information is needed or once your CPT is approved.

Once approved, pick up your new I-20 from OIP and review page 2 to confirm your employment details are correct.

Step 7: If Your Job Changes or Ends Early

If you do not begin your CPT job or if your employment ends early, contact OIP immediately to update your record.

Step 8: Extensions

If you need to continue your CPT beyond the authorized end date, submit a new CPT application at least one month before your current CPT expires.

While participating in CPT, you are still an F-1 student and must maintain your student status.

  • If you participate in part-time or full-time CPT, you must be enrolled in a full course of study ( 12 credits for undergraduates, 9 credits (or a 3-credit thesis/dissertation course) for graduates).
    • Note: If you accumulate 12 months of full-time CPT during your program, you will not be eligible for OPT upon program completion.
  • In your final semester of studies, you must be enrolled in at least one required course other than the COOP 0001/2 class in order to be eligible for CPT. Additionally, if you have CPT during your final semester, your CPT must end by the last day of final exams for that term.
  • F-1 international students are not permitted to work more than 40 hours per week. This means that graduate students with an assistantship will not be approved for full-time CPT. However, in some instances, a student can be authorized for multiple part-time CPT employers at once, as long as the total employment does not exceed 40 cumulative hours per week.
  • If you change employers or positions while on CPT, you must reapply and receive a new I-20 before you can begin work.

DO NOT START WORK BEFORE YOUR CPT START DATE, AND DO NOT KEEP WORKING BEYOND YOUR CPT END DATE.