OPT and CPT

Practical Training for F-1 Students

Practical training is a benefit available to eligible F-1 students during and after their academic program at Monroe University. As the name suggests, practical training allows students to gain practical experience by working in a position directly related to their academic program. There are two types of practical training: curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT). Within OPT, there are other categories: pre-completion, post-completion, STEM extension for bachelor and master’s degree students who graduate from our School of Information Technology, and H1-B cap gap extension.

Check out some FAQs in the chart below. We’ve also included some key terms and links to additional information.

Must I have an offer or placement in order to apply for practical training?

CPT: Yes
OPT: No

Can I get a Social Security Number (SSN)?

CPT: Part-time or full-time
OPT: Part-time or full-time

How many hours can I work?

CPT: Part-time or full-time
OPT: Part-time or full-time

When can I start?

CPT: After completing an academic year in F-1 status; there is an exception for graduate students enrolled in the Professional Experience Track
OPT: After completing an academic year in F-1 status; upon receipt of an employment authorization document (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Who can give me authorization to participate?

CPT: Authorization is granted from a Monroe University DSO after you obtain approval for your internship from the University
OPT: First, you need a recommendation from a Monroe University DSO, then you need approval from USCIS

How do I know if I have been authorized?

CPT: A DSO will issue you a new I-20 showing CPT authorization on page 2
OPT: If your OPT application is approved, you will receive an EAD from USCIS

How long does the process take?

CPT: CPT authorization is usually provided within one week
OPT: USCIS estimates processing time to be 90 days

For how long can I participate?

CPT: CPT is always matched to an internship course that is a required or recommended part of your academic program. Since each course runs for one semester, CPT authorization is granted one semester at a time
OPT: Standard post-completion OPT lasts for 12 months; the STEM extension currently adds an additional 24 months for a total of 36 months of OPT; H1-B cap gap lasts until October 1

Key Terms

Pre-Completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used before the student’s Program End Date. It may be part-time or full-time.

Post-Completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used after the student’s Program End Date. It must be full-time.

24-month (STEM) OPT Extension: For students who majored in designated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees approved by DHS. This type of OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT. At Monroe University, students with a bachelor degree in information technology or computer information systems and or a master’s degree in computer science.

Cap-Gap OPT Extension: For students whose prospective employers filed a qualifying H-1B cap-subject petition.

Part-time: 20 hours or less per week.

Full-time: more than 20 hours per week.

Academic year: in accordance with Student and Exchange Visitor Program policy, an academic year for programs that operate in credits hours is defined as 30 weeks of full time study.