Curricular Practical Training

Note: Effective Aug. 24, 2026, UWM’s ISSS office will only approve CPT that is required of a student’s academic program of study. It must be an articulated requirement of all students enrolled in the academic program. Any CPT authorized before Aug. 24, 2026, will remain authorized through the current end date.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorization for F-1 students for off-campus work experience that is required as part of UWM studies. CPT is work experience that is integral to your program of study. CPT eligibility depends on your individual situation and program of study. CPT may be authorized by CIE after a recommendation by your faculty/academic advisor and a review by the CPT review committee.

CPT Basics

Eligibility for CPT
  • Experiential learning work experience must be a mandatory requirement for every student in the degree program to graduate.  
  • Students requesting CPT authorization for an experiential learning work experience must meet the following criteria: 
    • Currently be in active F-1 status in a degree-seeking academic program
    • Have been a full-time student for at least the 2 prior academic (fall and spring) semesters
    • Be enrolled in a course requiring the CPT experiential learning work experience
    • Have secured an internship/work experience offer letter
Off-Campus Work Experience that Qualifies for CPT
  • The experiential learning work experience must be an integral part of an established curriculum, credit-bearing, and required of a student’s academic program of study for all students enrolled in the academic program; this must be verified by the student’s academic or faculty advisor.
  • CPT must fall into one of the following categories:
    • Required: The experiential learning work experience (such as internship, clinical, or practicum) must be a mandatory requirement for every student in your specific degree program to graduate. 
    • For Thesis/Dissertation: The experiential learning work experience is required for all graduate students in your specific program.
  • Work experience can be paid or unpaid.
    • If the work experience is an unpaid internship that is directly related to student’s area of study, CPT might be required. Students should contact ISSS for details before they start the internship.  
    • True volunteering work, for example, serving food in the church or cleaning the beach, does not require CPT authorization. Students should have no expectation of compensation for the work. 
CPT Authorization
  • CPT is authorized one semester at a time.
    • Students must meet all the qualifications to re-apply for CPT if the required course and experiential learning work experience spans more than one semester. 
  • Authorized CPT experiential learning work experience limits:
    • CPT is usually authorized part-time during fall and spring semesters and can be authorized full-time during summer semesters.
    • Under certain circumstances, full-time CPT may be approved during a fall or spring semester, if required.
    • Part-time CPT authorizes experiential learning work experience for 20 hours or less per week.
    • Full-time CPT authorizes experiential learning work experience for over 20 hours per week.
CPT and OPT
  • CPT is available before program completion, while post-completion OPT is available to students who have completed their program.
  • CPT approval is granted by a UWM CPT committee, while post-completion OPT must be adjudicated and granted by USCIS.
  • Part-time CPT does not impact eligibility for OPT.
    • CPT is intended as a short-term learning experience. Participating in long-term CPT with the same employer may be questioned during adjudication for OPT and/or other future immigration benefits.
  • Full-time CPT of one year or more causes ineligibility for post-completion OPT.
CPT and On-Campus Employment
  • CPT does NOT affect F-1 visa allowances of on-campus employment (20 hours/week while school is in session and more than 20 hours/week during school breaks).
  • Departments or Graduate Assistant supervisors may have additional rules limiting the total hours total students can work each week. 

Applying for CPT

  1. Review CPT Basics 

    Read the CPT Basics to learn more about CPT and how to apply. If you have questions, email isss@uwm.edu or make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator by calling 414-229-4846. 

  2. Enroll and Obtain Offer Letter 

    • Work with your department to enroll in the appropriate course requiring the CPT experience.
    • Obtain the internship/work experience offer letter. The offer letter should include the name of the company/organization; physical address of the employment; start and end dates of the employment; number of work hours per week.

  3. Submit ISSS Connect CPT Application

    • Email isss@uwm.edu to initiate the CPT request process; we will assess eligibility prior to granting access to the ISSS Connect CPT application.
    • The ISSS Connect CPT application should be completed at least two weeks prior to the projected CPT start date to allow for processing and issuance of the new I-20. 

  4. CPT Application Review

    The UWM CPT Committee will review completed applications and you will be notified of your approval, denial, or if additional information is needed. 

  5. Receive Updated I-20 with CPT Approval 

    • Upon CPT approval, you will be provided an updated I-20 listing the CPT authorization.  
    • You cannot begin the work experience until the CPT start date listed on the updated I-20 and must terminate the work experience no later than the end date listed on the updated I-20. 
ISSS Connect Portal Login