Off-Campus Employment Assistance

You’re in good hands with us! The OISS staff is trained and experienced in providing accurate advising in employment and immigration support. So, we can help you with your employment on or off-campus.

Work While Studying with CPT

Curricular Practical Training

Who is Eligible

Hours Per Week

Application Process

Curricular Practical Training

Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) is an opportunity for F-1 students to work off-campus in the field of their major. Students are eligible for CPT after maintaining valid F-1 status and full-time student status for one academic year.

Who is Eligible

Maintaining a valid F-1 status and must have been a full-time student for one academic year.
Must be a currently enrolled St. Thomas student (including summer).
Must obtain a job or internship directly related to your current field of study and integral part of the established curriculum*.
Can be paid or unpaid employment.
Must receive approval from your academic department (and OISS) and must fit into one of the following categories:
- Must be a part of an internship/practicum that is required of all students in that program.
- Work experience required by a particular course currently enrolled. OISS only authorizes CPT for the semester in which this course is required.

* All CPT authorizations are made in semester/term increments and students must be registered for a course or internship credit for the term in which they are authorized for CPT.

Hours Per Week

CPT must be authorized PRIOR to the first day of work by OISS every term (including summer) and every time a student changes employer. Failure to receive authorization prior to working for a company will result in your SEVIS record being terminated.
Part-time CPT is considered anything less than 20 hours/week; Full-time CPT is anything more than 20 hours/week.
Part-time CPT is unlimited; 12 months of Full-time CPT or more will make you lose your entire period of Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT can be authorized full-time or part-time during the year or in summer.

Application Process

For assistance with your application process and to answer any questions you may have, please contact the OISS office.

Murray-Herrick Campus Center
MHC 212 (2nd Floor)
Mail #5014

Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30pm
oiss@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-6650

Curricular Practical Training

Who is Eligible

Maintaining a valid F-1 status and must have been a full-time student for one academic year.
Must be a currently enrolled St. Thomas student (including summer).
Must obtain a job or internship directly related to your current field of study and integral part of the established curriculum*.
Can be paid or unpaid employment.
Must receive approval from your academic department (and OISS) and must fit into one of the following categories:
- Must be a part of an internship/practicum that is required of all students in that program.
- Work experience required by a particular course currently enrolled. OISS only authorizes CPT for the semester in which this course is required.

* All CPT authorizations are made in semester/term increments and students must be registered for a course or internship credit for the term in which they are authorized for CPT.

Hours Per Week

CPT must be authorized PRIOR to the first day of work by OISS every term (including summer) and every time a student changes employer. Failure to receive authorization prior to working for a company will result in your SEVIS record being terminated.
Part-time CPT is considered anything less than 20 hours/week; Full-time CPT is anything more than 20 hours/week.
Part-time CPT is unlimited; 12 months of Full-time CPT or more will make you lose your entire period of Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT can be authorized full-time or part-time during the year or in summer.