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On Sept. 14, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction indefinitely postponing the effective date of the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule intended to establish a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure that would impact students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas, and other academic restrictions specifically for F-1 students. Northwestern is monitoring this case and any further developments, and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate.

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Curricular Practical Training

Last updated 09/29/2026 
 
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. 

  • CPT must be directly related to the student’s major area of study.  
  • The work associated with CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum and required for all students participating in that curriculum.  
  • Once you have met all required experiential learning requirements, you are not eligible for additional CPT. For additional employment opportunities, F-1 students may consider pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). 
  • It can be paid or unpaid.  
  • You must be in good academic standing. You cannot do CPT if you are on academic probation.  
  • You cannot be self-employed on CPT. Self- employment, including working on start-up activities, requires pre-completion OPT authorization with USCIS. 
  • CPT can be authorized for remote work from within the U.S. for a U.S. employer.  
  • CPT can be authorized for remote work from within the U.S. for an international employer. Students should consult with their employer and an international tax attorney to confirm payment and tax implications.   
  • CPT cannot be authorized for work completed from outside of the U.S.    
  • CPT can be for part-time work (20 hours/week or less) or full-time work (over 20 hours/week).   
  • Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for Post-Completion OPT.  
  • CPT and on-campus employment are separate work authorizations. Students may work on campus (up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session) in addition to CPT (part-time or full-time as approved by your academic advisor and OISS) at the same time. However, remember that the primary purpose of your F-1 visa is study. Your academic coursework and commitments should be your top priorities. 
  • CPT is considered authorized only when the student has an updated I-20 showing CPT authorization. Working without authorization is a very serious status violation. 
  • If you are a fully funded TGS student and will continue to be funded during the CPT period then per TGS policy you can only work up to 20 hours/week from all roles combined and need to request Permission to Work for any additional work opportunities. 

More Details and Application Process

Eligibility

  • You must have completed one full academic year: 3 quarters, 2 semesters, or 3 trimesters at Northwestern University, or at another SEVP-approved higher education institution in the U.S.  

OR

  • You must be a graduate student who is required by the program to complete an internship within the first academic year.  

Coursework-Related Topics

  • You must register for an academic course directly related to the CPT internship. Your academic advisor is best positioned to help you confirm the appropriate corresponding internship course.  
  • If CPT is requested during the academic year (Fall, Winter and/or Spring terms), a student must be enrolled in the relevant course during the term in which the employment takes place.  
  • If CPT is requested for the summer term, a student can be enrolled for the relevant course during summer term or could be enrolled for the relevant course in the following (Fall) term. 
  • Dates of employment must fall within the academic term of authorization or up to 2 weeks into either adjacent term. 
  • CPT is authorized for one academic term at a time. If your internship extends into more than one term, you will need to submit a separate CPT request for each term. 
  • The CPT course is not required to be an internship/co-op course, unless otherwise required by the academic program. 
  • Students who are authorized for a final-term reduced course load may apply for CPT if they meet the eligibility requirements.  
  • Enrolling in a full-time-equivalent course for institutional credit will meet your F-1 full-time enrollment requirements. 

How to Apply for CPT 

  1. Secure internship/job. Fill out the Cooperative Agreement, sign it and have it signed by your employer and your academic advisor, program director, PI, dean or career/internship advisor.  
  2. Submit your CPT request in the OISS portal.  Please note: 
    • Your CPT employer name should be the name of your company/organization, not the name of your supervisor. 
    • Your CPT address should be your primary worksite location. If you work remotely, you should enter your remote worksite address not your employer's business address.  
  3. The CPT authorization is sent to the person you specified as the "Approver" in the request. This may be an academic advisor, program director, PI, dean or career/internship advisor. (See the instructions in the CPT request for more information.)  
    • Your recommender confirms the appropriate course number and certifies:  
      • You are making academic progress 
      • This CPT opportunity is directly related to your major area of study 
      • The work opportunity is required for all students in your program to graduate 
      • You should discuss this request with your academic advisor (not your OISS advisor) before completing the CPT request in the portal. We cannot process the CPT request until the electronic recommendation from your academic advisor has been received. 
    • Students may track the status of a CPT Request in the OISS portal. If your application remains in “APPROVER REVIEW” status beyond 3 business days, please contact your OISS Advisor for support.  
  4. Your OISS advisor begins processing your CPT authorization once your request is in “Submitted” status in the OISS portal. Your OISS Advisor will issue you an updated I-20 with your CPT Approval and travel signature on Page 2 of the I-20. This process typically takes up to 7 business days from the time we receive a “submitted” status CPT request. You can check the status of your CPT request in your OISS portal profile.  
  5. Receive and sign your updated I-20 with CPT authorization. You will receive an email notifying you when your updated I-20 with CPT authorization has been processed and is ready for you to access via the OISS portal. You will then be able to print your updated I-20 from your “Documents” section of the OISS portal. You will need to sign in ink in the student attestation section of the document. It is your responsibility to review your I-20 for accuracy. Make sure to review your approved CPT start date and end date. 

Important Notes

  • If you decide not to participate or if there are any changes to an already approved CPT authorization, you are required to submit an Edit/Change CPT Authorization request in the OISS portal.   
  • If you are confirmed to have not enrolled in a CPT course after the CPT was approved and it ended, the student is considered in violation of F-1 status. You should contact your OISS advisor immediately.  
  • If the start date of the approved CPT has passed, you must provide a letter on employer’s company letterhead confirming the correct employment dates or confirm you did not perform any work. You should contact your OISS advisor.  
  • It is essential that your SEVIS record is accurate. Your work authorization for CPT must be canceled or removed if it does not occur.