Most F-1 students will need to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to do an internship or co-op off-campus. CPT can be part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week); paid or unpaid. To apply for CPT, submit your request in the Internships & Employment section of the ISSS Portal.
You will also need CPT for on-campus internships if they are more than 20 hours per week during fall or spring.
All F-1 students should attend an ISSS CPT webinar or watch the CPT video series for more information. If you need an SSN, you can request an ISSS endorsement within the CPT request.
You will also need CPT for on-campus internships if they are more than 20 hours per week during fall or spring.
All F-1 students should attend an ISSS CPT webinar or watch the CPT video series for more information. If you need an SSN, you can request an ISSS endorsement within the CPT request.
Curricular Practical Training Video Series
The following videos were created prior to the launch of the ISSS Portal, so they still mention our past software Terra Dotta. Please note that all application processes with ISSS are now done through the new ISSS Portal and not through Terra Dotta.
CPT #1 - What to Know Before You Apply
CPT #2 - Employment, Travel, Taxes & Insurance
CPT #3 - Frequently Asked Questions
CPT #4 - Submitting Your Request
CPT #5 - Review of Concepts
CPT Requirements
- You must be in legal F-1 status and have a job offer not older than 6 months.
- The work must be required for your degree program and directly relate to what you’re studying
- You must register for an “internship” course (484, 684, etc.) and add it to your degree plan
- If you plan to have an internship but the course is not listed as required on your degree plan, you will need to talk to your department to update your degree plan.
- Note: You should plan ahead as this may take some time!
- You must be in good academic standing with Texas A&M University
- You must have completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment (that’s one fall and one spring semester)
Do NOT start working until ISSS has processed your CPT.
Working without the CPT authorization is a violation of your status.
Working without the CPT authorization is a violation of your status.
If you have a job offer but are not eligible for CPT, come talk to ISSS to see if you have other options.
CPT and Health Insurance
Texas A&M requires F-1 students to be covered under TAMU-sponsored insurance or have equivalent insurance coverage. If you will enroll in insurance through your employer during your CPT period, you must apply for a waiver of the TAMU insurance through Academic Health Plan’s (AHP) online waiver system by the set deadline.
If you were already granted a waiver based on the Graduate Student Employee (GSE) plan and this plan ends, you are required to apply for a waiver using your current employer provided health insurance. ISSS is notified of those who terminate their GSE plan and you will be charged for System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) if you do not have an approved waiver through AHP.
Health Insurance requirements and the waiver process may be found on the Health Insurance section of our website.