Employment Off-Campus: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
If you will be participating in the Hamilton College New York City, Washington, DC or NECC programs, you must apply for CPT.
In addition, you MAY be eligible to use CPT to authorize off-campus employment in an internship, whether paid or unpaid, if the work is authorized by a student's academic department and earns 0.25 academic credit. Important points to keep in mind about all CPT:
- CPT MUST relate to your academic program and YOU must demonstrate that link!
- Unlike OPT, you MUST have secured a job or internship BEFORE the CPT authorization occurs.
- You are not required to submit an application to USCIS, but you must submit a completed CPT Workshop Certificate, CPT application, be authorized in SEVIS, and receive a new I-20 showing the authorization BEFORE the start date of your employment.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT expect same-day turnaround on your CPT application! Because authorization depends on multiple parties (Office of Experiential Learning, ISS, and your department chair/academic advisor), a completed CPT application should be submitted no less than a week in advance of your start date. Ideally, you should begin the application process as soon as you receive a formal job offer.
Internships in Hamilton Programs
F1 students on these programs MUST be approved for CPT for the required internship. It is the STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY to notify the Director of International Student Services that they will participate in one of these programs prior to the start of the internship! Students must also provide the following materials in order to be approved:
- A letter addressed to the Director of International Student Services by the employer. The employer letter template can be sent to your employer, or ask for a signed letter on company letterhead that specifies the number of hours you will work per week, dates of employment (beginning and ending), job description, and location of employment.
- A letter from the director of program you will attend verifying the internship and eligibility for CPT. The director letter templates for New York and Washington are available online.
CPT and the Internship Credit
Students may apply for CPT authorization for summer or other break internships if they will engage in at least 50 hours of supervised work and have the approval of the chair of their academic department or program of concentration. Authorization MUST BE received from the Director of International Student Services PRIOR to beginning the internship (an updated I-20). Students seeking CPT through the internship credit should take the following steps:
- Seek approval from the chair of your department or program of concentration, who must also sign the CPT Authorization Form.
- Obtain a letter addressed to the Director of International Student Services from the employer. The employer letter template can be sent to your employer, or ask for a signed letter on company letterhead specifying the number of hours you will work per week, dates of employment (beginning and ending), job description, and location of employment.
- The Director of International Student Services will process your approval and issue an I20 with your CPT authorization.
- After the internship is complete, you must submit a final statement and evaluation from your supervisor by the date specified by the date specified by the Office of Experiential Learning in order to receive final credit.
- To submit your application, gather all required documents and complete this form.
Contact
Office / Department Name
International Student Services
Contact Name
Omobonike Odegbami
Director of International Student Services
Office Location
Days-Massolo Center
