Good to Know About CPT at SFBU:
CPT is both a course and a job which helps prepare you as a professional. There are no restrictions on what you may earn on the job; however, the focus of the training is to allow the student real-world professional practice as part of a course. The curricular practicum must provide students with a valuable learning experience and must significantly increase their knowledge in their program of study.
Applying for CPT
F-1 students are eligible for CPT after completing 2 full-time semesters at SFBU. The deadline to apply for CPT is Week 11 of the working period. e.g. if you are interested in taking CPT during the Spring 2024 semester, the deadline to submit the application is Week 11 of Spring 2024.
You can submit the application on your student portal under My Requests -> Academic Requests -> CPT Application.
Start and End Dates
You may begin your CPT during the semester break prior to the start of the semester or at any time during the semester’s first twelve (12) weeks. Your end date must be the last day of the semester.
Continuing CPT
If you plan to continue with the same job, you will need to register for a new CPT course in the next semester by completing a new request and following the process again. Apply early so there is no interruption.
Semester Break
Students who are on a complete semester break will have to pay a registration fee, learning resource fee, campus fee, and an insurance fee as well as the CPT course tuition fee.
Social Security Card
If you do not have a social security number (SSN), the CPT advisor will provide you with a letter in support of your SSN. This letter is issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) upon approval of your CPT. You will need to apply for an SSN at a local Social Security Administration office.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Please be aware that if you wish to take OPT after you graduate, you must not take more than 12 months of full-time CPT at your current academic level (undergraduate or graduate). There are no restrictions on OPT eligibility for part-time CPT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who have studied at another institution for a period of time preceding him/her joining SFBU can have that period be counted towards their CPT eligibility. The degree program from the previous institution must match the current program at SFBU. ex. You are transferring from another US institution for an MBA and enrolling at SFBU for an MBA. Simply ensure that you meet all the requirements. (Refer to Step 1)
You can apply for CPT upon receiving your F1 status. Simply ensure you meet all the requirements. (Refer to Step 1)
Yes, you are eligible for CPT and are able to take CPT immediately.
Students are allowed to participate in internships that are in-person and remote within the U.S.
No more than 6 units of practicum coursework may be counted towards graduation.
Reports will be graded on a Satisfactory (S)/No Pass (NP) basis. Reports that are incomplete or submitted late have the consequence of receiving a NP grade. If a student receives two NP grades, their CPT will be terminated and they will receive a failing grade in the course. Students who fail CPT will not receive future opportunities to participate in CPT again.
For any changes in your CPT, you must notify the CPT Advisor immediately. If you're an international student, the CPT Advisor may have to amend or cancel your CPT I-20.
CPT Process Guide
| CPT | Elective Credits | Non-CPT Credits Allows with CPT |
Weekly Hours | Minimum Contact Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Part Time (CPT 401/CPT 501) |
1 |
9 - graduate 12 - undergraduate |
up to 20 |
45 |
|
Full Time (CPT 402/ CPT 502) |
2 |
6- all students |
up to 40 |
90 |
CPT Qualifications:
- Undergraduate: minimum 2.75 CGPA
- Graduate: minimum 3.2 CGPA
- Not be enrolled in an ESL/IEP course
- Not currently employed as a TA at SFBU
- Valid F1 status for 9 months* (* Not applicable to local students)
- Passport valid for the next 6 months* (* Not applicable to local students)
- If you have any questions, schedule an appointment with the CPT advisor or send an email to career-services@sfbu.edu
Job Criteria:
Apply for a job that is in your field of study. Your job must be located within the United States. Internships may be in-person or remote.
Students are expected to maintain physical presence on campus to comply with F-1 requirements unless they have registered for an academic break.
Remote and hybrid positions count as an online course for F-1 students.
If you are offered a job, you will need to request an offer letter from your employer. It must include all of the following. Missing information will result in having to request another letter from your employer!:
- Company letterhead
- Company name
- Company's registered address
- Your job title
- Detailed job description
- Start date
- End date
- Hours per week
- Work location: On-site, hybrid or remote
- Supervisor’s name
- Supervisor’s job title
- Supervisor phone #
- Supervisors email
- Pay rate
- Clients name (if any)
Submit the application on your student portal under My Requests -> Academic Requests -> CPT Application and upload the following documents:
- Job offer letter (from Step #3)
- Passport copy*
- I-94*
- Visa copy*
- Previous I-20, only if you previously enrolled in the CPT course
* NOT APPLICABLE TO LOCAL STUDENTS
Please allow 3-4 business days for processing and verification of information provided. During peak times allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
Wait patiently for a notification that the CPT agreement has been generated and forwarded to your employer.
Have your employer sign the agreement and email it to the CPT advisor.
Any missing documents, need for updates or revisions will delay the processing time.
Please allow 1-2 days for approval and course registration. During peak times allow 3-5 business days for final approval.
You will receive an email notification if your CPT application has been approved. If it is approved, the course will be added to your account. Pay all fees through your student portal under Financial Info.
Once you have finished your payment, allow 1-2 business days for your I-20 to be updated with the CPT information. The updated I-20 will be emailed to you.
You can only start working once you receive your updated I-20.
CPT is both a job and a class which helps prepare you as a professional. CPT is a course in which a professor evaluates your learning while your employer guides you through the work experience. A student enrolled in any CPT course in a semester is required to fulfill the following academic requirements in order to earn their course units.
Submit reports online: MySFBU student portal > CPT Report
Weekly Reports
A. You need to provide the following information in your weekly report:
- Work Dates
- Hours of Work
- Activities Performed
- Skills Applied to Complete Tasks
- Relevant Course/s Taken
- Knowledge/Skills Acquired
B. Reports must be different every week.
- Do not copy and paste any previous weeks reports.
- Incomplete and late reports will result in a No Pass (NP) grade.
C. Deadline to submit your weekly report is by midnight Sunday of each week.
Final Report
A. You will find a copy of the final report template in the course handout section on your MySFBU student portal.
B. You need to provide the following information in your final report:
- Employer Information
- Job Information
- Relevant Knowledge & Skills from Program of Study
- Your Learning Experience
- Independent Research Skills/Activities
- Self Evaluation
C. Deadline to submit final report is at the end of the semester, or the week your CPT ends (whichever is sooner). Upload your CPT report on your student portal and bring a paper printout with you to the CPT exit interview.
Employer Survey
You need to request your employer/supervisor to fill out a survey about your performance during CPT. Your employer will need to complete, sign, and email directly to the CPT Administrator.
Exit Interview
An exit interview will be scheduled to meet your CPT Instructor.
- Employer Information
- Job Information
- Relevant Knowledge & Skills from Program of Study
- Your Learning Experience
- Independent Research Skills/Activities
- Self Evaluation
Sample Picture of Online CPT application
