Curricular Practical Training for SEAS Undergraduates
Curricular practical training (CPT) may be pursued by Penn Engineering international undergraduates before their graduation. CPT is intended to provide work experience in the U.S. in situations where the work serves as an integral part of a student’s academic program and an established curriculum. If you have any questions regarding the CPT immigration status requirements, please email your ISSS advisor (listed on the iPenn page when you log in). Questions on the academic side for Engineering can be directed to registrar@seas.upenn.edu.
Usually completed in the summer term, CPT requires registration for-credit basis as part of the student’s degree requirements. Students will be registered for EAS 0099 (0.25 CU, P/F Grade Type). Note that EAS 0099 may be used as Free Elective only, in fulfillment of the student’s degree requirements. If the student fails to fulfill the terms of the course/proposal, the student will be issued an “F” for the course. It is imperative that the student completes the work as proposed/outlined for the course during the CPT authorization period.
Procedures (to be completed in order):
- Obtain an offer letter from an employer on company letterhead that is signed by your employer (digital signature is okay) that will verify the work you will do. The number of hours you will be working, the start and end date of the employment, and the internship location (onsite physical address or stating remote) must also be listed in the letter. The start date must start on or after the term begins, and the end date must end prior to the start of the next term. (Example: Summer internships must start after the last day of the Spring term and must end before the first day of the Fall term.)
A sample offer letter can be found here. Please review the CPT checklist and use this as a guide to help you. - Identify an Engineering faculty member who will serve as your CPT advisor. Your advisor’s area of work and specialization should substantially overlap with your proposed CPT work.
- Complete and send the Engineering application CPT Form, employer’s offer letter, and your proposal* to your CPT advisor, all as one .pdf file (application form first) for their signature.
- The project proposal (2 pages maximum) must include the following: an introduction, objective of the internship, results expected, manner of presentation of results (could be a final written report, presentation, demonstration, etc.), method of evaluation for project for grade (decided upon with your CPT advisor), and references (where appropriate).
- Please submit the final signed documents to the OAS CPT upload page. Please allow a minimum of 7 business days for Engineering’s review of all documents.
Upon final approval from Engineering, you will be registered for the course credit EAS 0099 (0.25 CU, P/F Grade Type). - Once step #4 is complete, you will receive an email to verify Engineering’s approval with the next steps you will need for requesting CPT online through International Student and Scholar Services using the online F-1 Curricular Practical Training Form. Do NOT complete this step until OAS gives you approval via email. Upon receiving Engineerings’s approval email, you must submit your iPenn form within 24 hours. Processing time by ISSS can be up to 7 business days. Students cannot begin work until they receive the CPT authorization from ISSS.
Additional Information
Processing delays: The CPT process can take up to two weeks for processing during the busiest times. Multiple offices and staff are reviewing your CPT at different stages. If all documents are in order sometimes it can take as little as five business days for processing. Please plan accordingly and give yourself at least a two week window prior to your start date to get all documents in and reviewed/approved on time.
Evaluation and grading: Your CPT Advisor will need to evaluate your work done either based on periodic reports submitted by you while undergoing the CPT, or based on such reports immediately after your return from the training. Note that your advisor may require some additional work beyond what was done during training, but the evaluation must be substantially based upon the training experience. CPT courses will be issued either an “P” grade or a “F” grade.
Requirement to Complete: All academic requirements for CPT must be completed within the term for which the student has registered for CPT. Failure to complete the CPT academic requirements would render the student’s employment/CPT “unauthorized” and be a violation of immigration status. For any student who receives a “F” grade, such sanctions may include forfeiture of the post-graduation OPT allotment and the possibility of working in the United States on any other visa.
Registration information: SEAS undergraduates may apply for CPT EAS 0099 more than once. But if a student exceeds 12 months of full-time CPT, their OPT will be forfeited. Please check with ISSS for more details.
Registering for a part-time CPT in Fall or Spring
Students may do a part-time CPT in either the Fall or Spring semesters. (Full-time CPT’s are only allowed during the Summer term. No exceptions.) A part-time CPT is defined as hours ranging from 5-20 hours. During this period, students must register for a full on-campus course load and have room for the 0.25 CU EAS 0099. Students must adhere to the course selection deadline for registration. The start date must be on or after the first day of that specific term and must end no later than the last day of that term. Term deadlines are always listed on the Academic Calendar. Students must follow all steps as outlined above.
Please note: Students are not allowed to participate in CPT in the semester in which they are graduating.