ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Curricular Practical Training

IMPORTANT: As of September 4, 2026, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ has decided to put an indefinite pause on the issuance of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 status undergraduate international students.   

We recognize that the University’s decision to pause CPT may cause concern for you and practical training plans you have for the future. Please know that we did not lightly arrive at this decision and it was made with you, our valued community of F-1 undergraduate international students, and our university at front of mind.

Why has this happened?

In the past, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s provided the following CPT parameters as part of their online training for : “CPT is only available to F-1 students when it is an integral part of an established curriculum. In practical terms, ‘integral part of an established curriculum’ means an opportunity must be required by the curriculum or, if not required, the student must receive credit for the training.”  

However, in August 2026 SEVP issued two broadcast messages with new CPT guidance: and . In the August 24^th broadcast message, SEVP states: “In any instance where an elective course is optional, making the CPT optional, the integral and required aspects of CPT would not be met. CPT is an integral part of an established curriculum and the practical training is required for all students participating in that curriculum, regardless of citizenship.”

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s CPT policy has always adhered to the previous SEVP guidance, allowing F-1 undergraduate international students to receive CPT authorization if they meet the eligibility requirements, secure a practical training opportunity, such as an internship, directly related to their major, and are enrolled in the University’s CSPL 493: Internship course. However, with the August broadcast messages, SEVP has indicated a departure from their previous guidance and a new interpretation of CPT as no longer permissive of elective courses—as has, historically, been the curricular structure for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s CPT policy—and now “required for all students participating in that curriculum, regardless of citizenship.”

Although remain unchanged, SEVP has clearly indicated they will be holding SEVP-certified institutions such as ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and other colleges and universities across the U.S. to this new guidance. Therefore, to protect the visa status of F-1 undergraduate international students as well as the University’s SEVP certification to be permitted to continue enrolling F-1 students, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ has made this difficult decision to indefinitely pause CPT authorization at our institution.          

How did we arrive at this decision?

Following the first SEVP broadcast message about CPT that was issued on August 12^th, OISA staff consulted principal designated school officials (PDSOs) and DSOs at peer institutions, including many other , as well as ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s designated SEVP Field Representative. OISA learned that many of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s peer institutions had moved forward, or were in the process of proceeding, with pausing CPT authorization at their respective schools, which has also since occurred at . OISA consulted senior leaders at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ as well as an immigration attorney, and as a result of this process, the decision was made to pause CPT for the foreseeable future.       

What other options are there for F-1 undergraduate international students who want to participate in a practical training opportunity during their undergraduate degree program at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½?

On-campus employment is still permitted for F-1 international students who are enrolled and physically present at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. The University offers hundreds of job opportunities throughout the year, including summer, some of which offer valuable practical training opportunities to complement students’ academic studies. We encourage you to look for opportunities in , attend the Gordon Career Center’s 6^th annual on September 9, 2026 in Beckham Hall, and utilize the office for support with your job search.          

While CPT is paused, an alternative option to receive authorization for an off-campus practical training opportunity directly related to your ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ major is to apply for . Applying for this work authorization requires that you first receive a new I-20 with a pre-completion OPT recommendation from an OISA staff member and then submit your application to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to applying for pre-completion OPT, it is important that you understand the process, the fees that must be paid to USCIS, the potential timeline for receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and the impact this authorization type will have on your post-completion OPT employment period (if you intend to pursue this latter option when you reach the end of your undergraduate degree program). Please email oisa@wesleyan.edu or utilize our advising services if you would like to know more about pre-completion OPT as an alternative to CPT.  

Are students who were previously authorized for CPT impacted by this change in policy?

No, students who were previously authorized for CPT, including current F-1 undergraduate international students who were participating in a CPT experience in August 2026 when the SEVP broadcast messages were issued, are not impacted by this change as their authorizations were made prior to the release of this new guidance. OISA has not issued any CPT authorizations for the Fall 2026 Semester. 

Will things change and will I be able to do CPT in the future?

At this time, we do not know if, nor when, SEVP’s new interpretation of CPT might change and allow for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ to return to its previous CPT policy and process. The OISA staff have been actively monitoring this change and via NAFSA: Association of International Educators and other resources for PDSOs and DSOs.   

Who should I contact if I have questions about this matter?

If you have questions or concerns about the pause on CPT at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ or other topics related to your F-1 visa status, please email oisa@wesleyan.edu or utilize our advising services. We can always arrange an in-person or virtual appointment with you during our hours of operation if our drop-in hours do not align with your academic schedule.

*PLEASE NOTE: THE INFORMATION BELOW IS NO LONGER RELEVANT WHILE WESLEYAN'S CPT PAUSE IS IN EFFECT.

IMPORTANT: Do not submit your CPT request in the ISS Portal until after you have either attended one of our Spring 2026 Semester in-person CPT workshops or viewed the above video recording.

Spring 2026 CPT Workshops (both sessions will cover the same content): 

• Thursday, February 19, 12:15-1:15 pm EST in person in Boger 114 - Register here on Handshake:  
• Friday, March 27, 3:30pm-4:30pm EST in person in Usdan 108 - Register here on Handshake: 

We have updated our CPT policy regarding starting an off-campus internship or other employment opportunity in between semesters. Please carefully read the following guidance as this new policy means the information about summer dates for CPT outlined in the video recording above (starting at the 5:12 mark) is no longer relevant.   

Spring 2026 Semester CPT: Part-time CPT authorization for Spring 2026 spans January 22nd (first day of classes) through May 15^th (last day of final exams). April 8^th is the deadline to apply for and receive part-time CPT authorization for the spring semester. When you submit your CPT request in the ISS Portal, you must select “Spring 2026” as the term for your authorization. Full-time CPT is not permitted during the spring semester as it is a required term of full-time study for F-1 visa status international students.   

Summer 2026 Term CPT: CPT authorization for Summer 2026, which may be full-time or part-time, spans May 16^th (the day after spring semester final exams finish) through September 6^th (the day before the Fall 2026 Semester begins). August 1^st is the deadline to apply for and receive CPT authorization for the summer term. When you submit your CPT request in the ISS Portal, you must select “Summer 2026” as the term for your authorization. If your CPT authorization starts before May 27^th (the first day of the summer term), you will be pre-enrolled in the summer section of the CSPL 493 internship course.

Fall 2026 Semester CPT: Part-time CPT authorization for Fall 2026 spans September 7^th (first day of classes) through December 19^th (last day of final exams). November 5^th is the deadline to apply for and receive part-time CPT authorization for the fall semester. When you submit your CPT request in the ISS Portal, you must select “Fall 2026” as the term for your authorization. Full-time CPT is not permitted during the fall semester as it is a required term of full-time study for F-1 visa status international students.

Winter 2027 Session CPT: CPT authorization for Winter 2027, which may be full-time or part-time, spans December 20, 2026 (the day after fall semester final exams finish) through January 20, 2027 (the day before the Spring 2027 Semester begins). December 21st is the deadline to apply for and receive CPT authorization for the winter term. When you submit your CPT request in the ISS Portal, you must select “Winter 2027” as the term for your authorization. If your CPT authorization starts before January 5, 2027 (the first day of winter session), you will be pre-enrolled in the winter section of the CSPL 493 internship course.

Overview & Eligibility

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an F-1 visa benefit that allows students to participate in off campus internships, work, clinical placements, or other experiential learning that is part of their academic programs and directly related to their academic majors. CPT must be authorized for both paid and unpaid experiences. CPT can only be granted when the internship/training is part of the academic curriculum.  

CPT is authorized by OISA and must be approved by our office before the internship begins. Apply at least four weeks in advance of the internship start date. Students may not begin working without CPT authorization in hand. 

Please note the following: 

• Students must complete one full academic year before being eligible for CPT. 
• CPT is available to undergraduate students only. 
• Internships must be credit-bearing and the internship must take place in the same semester as the corresponding credits. 
• Internships must be directly related to a student’s academic major. 
• Students may only work within the authorized CPT start and end date. 
• During the fall and spring semesters, CPT authorization is limited to 20 hours or less per week. 
• Students must complete a minimum of 40 working hours through the entire internship experience (not 40 hours per week), within the academic term in which they are enrolled in CSPL493.

How to Apply

Applications for CPT can be made through the . You must secure your internship prior to submitting your application and have attended a CPT Workshop.

Before making this request, please gather the following documents/information:

• Your Employment Offer Letter
• CPT Employer Job Description
• Your CPT Employer’s First and Last Name and email address (Required) and Phone Number (Optional)

Please carefully read the instructions when you are completing your CPT request in the ISS Portal. You will be asked to input information to request four recommendations:

• Office of Academic Affairs – To confirm the relationship between the student’s internship/employment and the student’s academic major
• Dean of Students Office – To confirm the student is in good standing with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s Honor Code and the Code of Non-Academic Conduct
• Academic Advancement Office – To confirm the student is in good academic standing at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½
• Your CPT Employer

If you start a request in the ISS Portal but are unable to complete it, you may return to this request at a later time. Do not start a new one. To return to an existing request, please go to your ISS Portal User .

Proof of CPT Enrollment (CSPL493)

Once an OISA staff member has reviewed your CPT request and confirmed your eligibility, we will email the Office of the Registrar to request that you be enrolled in CSPL493. On the day that our office requests that you be enrolled in the course, you will receive an email from OISA explaining your enrollment in CSPL493 will appear in your academic history within two business days. 

Next, you must provide proof of your enrollment through the  so that OISA can proceed with authorizing you for CPT. To submit your proof of enrollment, log in to your ISS Portal account, select F-1 Student Requests from the menu on the left side of the page, and click on Proof of CPT Enrollment Request from the menu choices on the next page.

You will be redirected to a page where you can indicate the semester and year that you have been authorized for CPT and upload a screenshot confirming your enrollment for CSPL493. When you have provided the information requested, click the "Update" button at the bottom of the page to submit your Proof of CPT Enrollment Request.

After Approval

Once approved, you will receive an updated I-20 with the CPT authorization. If your internship is paid, you will need to show this authorization to your employer as proof of employment authorization. Paid employment also requires by law that a student apply for a Social Security Number.

Work Authorization FAQs

Here are common questions asked by employers and answers:

Q: Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?