How To Apply For Cpt In Usa

Choosing a university in the U.S. is a big, important decision. If you want to continue working in the U.S. after school and pursue some job training in the U.S. while in school, the university you choose is even more important.

In this article, we look at and discuss the top 15 universities in the U.S. that offer Day 1 CPT.

CTA

Check out our video guide "Are the Colleges Offering Full-Time CPT from Day 1 fraud?" or read on to learn more!

What is CPT?

The Curricular Practical Training, i.e., CPT is a compulsory employment program for students on an F1 visa. It is required to complete the degree program, usually consisting of supervised fieldwork. Here is a more thorough post on the details of the CPT that you need to know.

You're probably here because you want to know what universities in the United States offer the CPT. Some of you might be eager to start working as soon as you arrive in the US, so in this article, you will find a list of the universities that allow students to start a CPT the second they arrive.

Please note that this list is based on the reader's input and that we are not guaranteeing the accuracy of the information.

For more information about how a university supports the CPT, visit the school's website and do some in-depth investigation.

No luck finding the information you need?

Send an email or call the school in question to find out if they offer a CPT early on in the semester.

Types of CPT

CPT comes in three distinctions–degree-based, course-based, and cooperative:

Degree based CPT – requires that all students in a degree program complete an internship in order to complete their coursework and receive a degree.

Course-based CPT – offers two routes: students enrolled in a particular course can earn a grade through employment or by designing their own research project based on employment.

Cooperative CPT – may be authorized when employment is part of an established formal co-operative educational agreement between your department and a specific employer.

Day 1 CPT Universities

As with all things in the realms of education and visas, there are rules, practices, and procedures around how CPT may be offered.

Most universities do not offer or all CPT during the first or second semester of study
Practical training may be authorized for F1 students who have been enrolled for one academic year
If the curriculum requires it, an F1 student may be authorized for practical training on day 1
CPT work authorization must be used for work related to the student's academic degree

Exceptions

While the above-noted items are general rules for how CPT is applied, some exceptions exist.

CPT may be offered during the first or second semester if the student's coursework requires it
Graduate students may bypass the one academic year requirement for practical training

CPT and Day 1 CPT Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for either form of CPT, you must:

Have a valid F1 visa

The student's visa must be properly maintained for each semester
The student must have chosen a major
The student must have a specific, major-related internship
The student must not be a visiting exchange student
For CPT, the student must have been enrolled for one academic year
For Day 1 CPT, practical training may begin day one

Be enrolled for course credit

The student must be enrolled for 1 to 2 units of a major-related internship
CPT must be an integral part of the student's course requirements
The student must have a CPT job offer before submitting a CPT authorization request

List of 15 Universities that offer CPT from Day 1:

The following 15 universities allow F1 students to begin their CPT on — or near — day 1, making them an excellent choice for higher education in the US:

University Name	City	State	CPT on Day 1?
University of the Cumberlands	Williamsburg	Kentucky	Day 1
International Technological University	San Jose	California	Day 1
United States University	Chula Vista	California	Day 1
Campbellsville University	Campbellsville	Kentucky	Day 1
Knowledge Systems Institute	St.Skokie	Illinois	Day 1
Sullivan University	Louisville & Lexington	Kentucky	After the 1st week
Wichita State University	Wichita	Kentucky	After 9 months
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business	Woodbury	Minnesota	Day 1
New Jersey Institute of Technology	Newark	New Jersey	After 1 year
Infoserve Technologies Institute	Flushing	New York	Day 1
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology	Harrisburg	Pennsylvania	Day 1
Vanderbilt University	Nashville	Tennessee	Day 1
Virginia International University	Fairfax	Virginia	Day 1
University of North America	Vienna	Virginia	Day 1
Stratford University	Falls Church	Virginia	Day 1

2 California Universities that Offer Day 1 CPT

International Technological University

The International Technological University, located in San Jose, California, strives to bring hands-on experience and skill development together. They offer a very strong internship program which is required for all students completing a degree with them.

If you are an F-1 visa holder, you must meet the requirements found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for your internship.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

United States University

The United States University (USU) in California focuses on making life easier for international students moving to the U.S. The USU can approve CPT if you can prove the employment directly relates to your degree program and if certain conditions are met. You can find more info on this page. At USU, you can not engage in CPT during vacation periods.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

More Information on Day 1 CPT Schools

Goldey-Beacom College

Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) allows F-1 students to apply for CPT immediately if they've completed a full year of study at any other regionally-accredited institute or non-profit college. If you are not eligible to apply for CPT immediately, you have to complete a full year (3 consecutive semesters) at GBC.

You are not eligible to apply immediately if you:

Did not complete a full year at any other regionally-accredited institute or non-profit college, or
Are currently on an H-4, F-2 or B-1 visa and is seeking to change your status to F-1, or
Arrived from overseas on a new I-20 and SEVIS ID number.
CPT becomes available from day 1.

Knowledge Systems Institute

Only part-time CPT is available at the Knowledge Systems Institute. This means you will be able to do your CPT at the beginning of your studies for 20 hours a week. You need to major in computer science or a related subject to qualify. You can only be employed in positions that are in the same state and you are not allowed to work in gaps or holidays.

If you want to do full-time CPT, you will only be able to it during the summer semester and you will not be able to do your CPT and study at the same time.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

Sullivan University

You can start your CPT in your MBA or Master's degree when you have had at least a year's Master's studies at another accredited university. Students who want to take part in the CPT will have to be registered in a management externship course.

In this course, you will have to show the relationship between your course and the work experience you've gained during midterm and final essays. If you do not pass this externship course, you will not be able to carry on with CPT.

CPT becomes available after the first week.

Wichita State University

At Wichita State University, students are normally allowed to work part-time during the fall and spring semesters and full-time during summer and winter breaks. Students should be enrolled full-time while they do CPT.

CPT becomes available after 9 months.

Globe University/Minnesota School of Business

This university offers classes every 11 weeks during your CPT. These classes are conducted on weekends.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

At NJIT, CPT is an integral part of your studies and should be directly related to your field of study. CPT employment is only available before you complete your NJIT degree program and is not available after you have completed your studies.

Undergraduate students should have been full-time students for at least three semesters before you are eligible for CPT. During your CPT you must still maintain full-time status.

CPT becomes available after 1 year.

Infoserve Technologies Institute

To find out more about the Infoserve Technologies Institute and the CPT they offer, you must visit their campus or phone them on 718-888-9495.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

At this university, CPT is only available prior to the completion of your graduate degree program. You are also required to have a job offer when you apply for CPT. You are allowed to do full-time CPT for 40 hours a week and it can start during your first or your second semester.

F-1 students are only allowed to register for one online course per semester while they are doing CPT.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

Vanderbilt University

At this university, attending a CPT workshop is a requirement before you can apply for employment authorization. F-1 students can choose to apply for employment authorization during or after their studies in the U.S. You can register to attend the CPT workshop on their website.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

Virginia International University

You must have been lawfully registered as a full-time student for an academic year before you can qualify for CPT at Virginia International University. The eligibility requirements differ from the degree program to degree program. It is, therefore, advisable to meet with your Academic Advisor and Registrar before you meet with the International Student Services Office.

This is to make sure you understand all the different options and requirements. The CPT program should also be listed in the university's catalog.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

University of North America

Full-time, as well as part-time, CPT is available at the University of North America (UONA). When you enroll for full-time CPT, however, you will also need to be registered as a full-time student. Your employer will be required to sign an Applied Learning Agreement with the UONA.

In this agreement, your employer will agree that your CPT is an educational opportunity. This also binds your employer to release any information required by the university about your experience working for them.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

Stratford University

This university allows 20-hours CPT for undergraduate students and 40-hours for graduate students. One of the requirements is that you must have successfully completed at least 3 terms at the university. This excludes IT Graduate level degree programs.

You should also be required by your degree program to do CPT or you should receive credit for your internship.

CPT becomes available from day 1.

We hope this list has helped you narrow down some good education options for your studies. Please make sure to always recheck with the university before you make any final decisions based on this list. We wish you the best of luck with your studies as well as with your CPT in the United States.

65 Questions to Prepare for the F1 Visa Interview
The Top 100 Best Physical Therapy Schools in the U.S.
Top 10 Biggest Colleges in the U.S.
F1 to Green Card: Everything You Need to Know
Top 100 US Universities in Computer Science

Need a Loan? Get One in 3 Simple Steps

If you are considering applying for a personal loan, just follow these 3 simple steps.

Apply

Apply online for the loan amount you need. Submit the required documentation and provide your best possible application. Stronger applications get better loan offers.

Accept

If your application meets the eligibility criteria, the lender will contact you with regard to your application. Provide any additional information if required. Soon you'll have your loan offer. Some lenders send a promissory note with your loan offer. Sign and return that note if you wish to accept the loan offer.

Repay

The loan then gets disbursed into your U.S. bank account within a reasonable number of days (some lenders will be as quick as 2-3 business days). Now you need to set up your repayment method. You can choose an autopay method online to help you pay on time every month.

CTA

About Stilt

Stilt provides loans to international students and working professionals in the U.S. (F-1, OPT, H-1B, O-1, L-1, TN visa holders) at rates lower than any other lender. Stilt is committed to helping immigrants build a better financial future.

We take a holistic underwriting approach to determine your interest rates and make sure you get the lowest rate possible.

Learn what others are saying about us on Google, Yelp, and Facebook or visit us at https://www.stilt.com. If you have any questions, send us an email at [email protected]