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During your academic program, you may encounter situations where you are required or have the opportunity to participate in an off-campus practical experiences. In the context of F-1 and J-1 students and the federal regulations, this is defined as practical training. F-1 and J-1 students are required to have authorization to participate in practical training experiences. There are three main types of practical training authorization:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Benefit for F-1 students who are required or have the option to participate in an off-campus practical experience. Students must have a specific major field of study to be eligible for CPT and in general the practical experience must be connected to a practical course (internship, practicum, etc.), a course requirement or a degree program requirement.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): Benefit for F-1 students who wish to undertake an optional paid practical experience off-campus during their program (pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (post-completion OPT).
- Academic Training (AT): Benefit for J-1 students who wish to participate in a practical experience during their program (pre-completion) or upon graduation (post-completion).
Students are required to complete a practical training workshop before submitting an application. The workshops provide information about how the practical training authorizations function, as well as the application process and how students maintain status during periods of practical training.
Students must complete the workshop module before submitting their application for CPT and/or OPT. Each workshop includes 5 modules and an assessment. In order to receive credit for completing the workshop, students must view all modules and score 15 points on the assessment. As proof of completion, students will need to upload their results from the assessment to their CPT/OPT request on the ISSS Portal.
Below are direct links to the modules and assessments for each workshop. If you have any issues with accessing or completing the online workshops, please contact your ISSS advisor.