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Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (or CPT) falls into one of two categories - work that is required for graduation, and work that is not required but will receive academic credit. The first category is rare at UMBC, occurring only in a few graduate programs. If it is required, students can start right away (with proper authorization, of course) - if not, they must have been a full-time student for at least one academic year before starting any kind of off-campus work. Additionally, students must be in valid F-1 status, particularly as regards full-time enrollment (ie., you must have been enrolled as a full-time student each semester of your study in the US).

The important term that defines Curricular Practical Training is "curricular". It is intended to be an integral part of your curriculum, or your course of studies. It is not a right, and is authorized by the IES office under guidelines issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In order for Curricular Practical Training to be authorized, you must receive academic credit in some way for the work you will be performing. What will we consider as CPT? A regular full-time job with benefits and health insurance cannot be authorized as CPT. We will look for a short-term position, preferably one that is called an internship or co-op position by the employer, and is specifically designed to give students practical work experience. And of course, some sort of academic credit is essential. If no academic credit is possible, you may need to consider Optional Practical Training.

CPT has no limitations as to the length of time it can be engaged in. You should be aware, though, that full-time CPT for more than one year cancels your right to optional practical training, so be careful. Part-time work, or anything less than one year of full-time CPT, does not affect OPT at all.

UNDERGRADUATES
For undergraduates, we require that you make an appointment at the Shriver Center. The staff there can help you find an internship position as well as arrange for the necessary academic credit. Once those arrangements have been made, you will need to bring to the IES office the following items:
    * evidence of the credits you are registered for
    * a form provided by the Shriver Center, and signed by an advisor there.
    * a letter from the employer (on letterhead stationary) stating the beginning and end dates of the co-op.
    * your original I-20 form.
    * a copy of your transcript (unofficial will be fine) to verify that you have been maintaining full-time enrollment and are in valid F-1 status.
Your authorization will be entered into the SEVIS system and will appear on page 3 of your new I-20 form.

GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate students are also required to provide evidence of one of the following:
    * A letter from your advisor stating that the work is a required part of your degree program.
    * Your enrollment in credit-bearing internship or independent study class.
    * A letter from your advisor stating that the work you are seeking to perform will constitute an integral and essential part of your research.
Additionally, you will need all of the following:
    * Your original I-20 form.
    * A copy of your transcript (unofficial will be fine) to verify that you have been maintaining full-time enrollment and are in valid F-1 status.
Your authorization will be entered into the SEVIS system and will appear on page 3 of your new I-20 form. Remember!
    * you MUST complete your authorization through the IES office BEFORE you begin your work, or you will be working without authorization, which is considered a serious offence by DHS, under some circumstances punishable by deportation.
    * you must maintain your full-time student status while you are engaged in any Curricular Practical Training!

On-Campus Employment

* A student can work at her/his own school without special authorization.
* On-campus is generally defined as being employed directly by the school or by an on-campus contractor such as the cafeteria, bookstore, etc. that provides direct services to the student body. For UMBC students it is any job that issues you a paycheck from the State of Maryland, University of Maryland (UMB, UMCP, but not Towson or Morgan).
* Work required by an assistantship, scholarship or fellowship is considered on-campus, even if the actual work takes place off-campus.
* Off-campus work can be considered on-campus if (all 3 must apply):
    1. it takes place at a location that is educationally affiliated with the school
    2. the educational affiliation is associated with the school's established curriculum or is related to a graduate-level research project which the school has contracted to perform, and
    3. the work is an integral or important part of the program of study.
* A student who is otherwise in status and has arranged to transfer to a new school may work on-campus at the original school until the semester begins at the new school.

IMPORTANT: On campus work is limited to a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session. It can be full-time only during the summer or semester breaks.

Employment Based on Severe Economic Hardship

It is possible to obtain permission to work off-campus if your economic situation has had a severe and unforeseen change since you arrived in the United States. To obtain this work permission, you must petition the DHS with an explanation of what the circumstances are that have caused you this hardship. Please consult with the IES office for more information and the appropriate forms.

Internship with Certain International Organizations

If you can obtain an internship with certain International Organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, etc., it is possible to obtain permission to work off campus. Contact the IES office for a complete list of such organizations and more information on the procedures.

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is just that: Optional. You can use it, or you can not use it. The advantage of this category of training is that it is not as specific or restrictive as Curricular Practical Training. It allows you to extend your F-1 visa status for up to one year after your graduation while removing the requirement that you be enrolled in classes and giving you permission to work (in your field of study) anywhere in the United States. The disadvantage is that you must apply for permission to the US CIS, and the application process can take as long as two months (or sometimes longer) to complete, so you need to plan ahead as much as possible.

There are four different categories under which you may apply for OPT:
    1. during annual vacation, when school is not in session (ie., summer or winter breaks), as long as you are an enrolled student and intend to register for the next semester.
    2. part-time (up to 20 hours per week) when school is in session.
    3. full-or part-time after you have completed your course requirements but before finishing your thesis or dissertation (for graduate students)
    4. full-time after completing your course of study.
You are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each degree program in F-1 status. For example, if you complete a bachelor's degree and apply for one year of OPT, you will be eligible for a second year once you move on to begin another, higher degree, such as a master's or doctoral degree.

OPT is limited to a total of 12 months for each program, but it can be broken up into smaller parts (1 month, 6 months, etc). Each individual period of OPT, whatever the length, requires the same application process and fee. It must be applied for (the application must be received at the US CIS Service Center) BEFORE completion of your studies. If you wait too long to apply, you will lose your eligibility for OPT.

Authorization will extend no more than 14 months after completion of studies. This means if you graduate on May 25 2006, you must apply no later than May 25 2006, and your OPT will not extend beyond July of 2007.

For UMBC students, application for OPT must be made to the US CIS Service Center in St. Albans, Vermont (unless you plan to move to another state. Please check with the IES staff if this is your plan). Materials and instructions for the application process can be obtained from the IES office.

It is possible to travel outside the US while you are on OPT, although there might be some difficulties if you need to get a new entry visa while you are gone. Regulations state that you are allowed to reenter to resume employment, so the assumption is that you will have your EAD and a job. Please check with the IES office before leaving so we can discuss your situation.

* Remember - OPT does not guarantee a leave of absence from school! Check first!

International Education Services
224 Administration Bldg.
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Tel: +1.410.455-2624
Fax: +1.410.455-1130
E-mail: ies@umbc.edu