Immigration: Curricular Practical Training

International students in F-1 status may engage in curricular practical training (CPT) while enrolled at Lewis & Clark with permission from International Students and Scholars (ISS). Curricular practical training is defined by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."

Curricular practical training may be authorized if:

1. the student has been in F-1 status for at least one academic year. (Students studying in ESL programs are not eligible).
2. the program is an integral part of an established curriculum, which at Lewis & Clark is defined as a "practicum" or "independent study" course (e.g. IA 444, Econ 244, PSYCH 499).
3. the faculty member will grant permission to enroll in the course.
4. the student has a written offer of employment.

For the Student to Complete:

Student name: ____________________________________

Semester: ___________________

Course title and number (from catalog)__________________________________

Starting and ending dates of practicum experience: ____________ til ____________

Number of hours per week: __________________

Name of faculty member: ________________________________

Name/Address of Company where internship/practicum will be held (required before CPT can be authorized):




*Attach a copy of the course description from the catalog.
*Attach proof of enrollment in the class (Reg sheet, add/drop slip, WebAdvisor print out, transcript, etc).
*Attach a copy of job offer

For the Professor to Complete:

I have spoken with the student listed above and have agreed to enroll this student in my course. As part of the course work for my course, the student must engage in an off-campus employment experience. This course and the work experience are an integral part of Lewis & Clark's curriculum and the student's course of study. The student should benefit significantly from this experience. I will comunicate with the student's employer in order to evaluate this student's performance. I recommend that the student be authorized by International Students and Scholars (ISS) to enroll in this course and this experience.

Professor's name (Please print): ____________________________________

Professor's signature: _____________________________________________

Date: _____________________________

For the Employer to Complete:

The student must have an offer of employment to enroll in curricular practical training. The letter must: (1) be printed on the company's letterhead, (2) state the address where the student will work, (3) list the start and end dates of employment (dates should fall within the semester beginning and end dates), (4) include the approximate number of work hours per week, (5) list the salary (if any), and, (6) list the supervisiors name and contact information.

View sample employer letter here.

For Int'l Students and Scholars to Complete:

1. ISS should verify eligibility.
2. ISS should update the student's SEVIS record with an authorization for CPT.
3. ISS should print a new I-20 for the student showing the authorization. Sign the I-20.
4. ISS should include a copy of the new I-20, the web-based ISS form, proof of enrollment, a course description from the catalog, and the employer's letter in the student's file.

I have reviewed this application and determined that the student meets the qualifications for curricular practical training.

Name of ISS staff (Print): _________________________________________________

Signature of ISS staff: ____________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________