CPT Application Process

As an international student, in order to work in an internship, you will need to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which will be added to your I-20. Once you have an internship offer, you must complete the application process through the ISSOPortal. If you take on more than one internship you must complete a CPT application for each internship (remember, you’re limited to 20 hours total!).

If you’ve never applied for CPT before, please read through the following CPT instructions thoroughly and review the ISSO’s Frequently Asked Questions about CPT, which addresses questions about:

  •   Changes to your CPT Academic Registration
  •   Changes to your CPT Employer, Location, or Dates
  •   Full-time vs. Part-time CPT
  •   Applying for a Social Security Number
  •   Payment for CPT Employment
  •   I-9 Employment Verification
  •   Guidelines for Unpaid Internships
  •   Tax Responsibilities

But first: You need to have an internship offer. Please make sure the offer letter includes all of the required information listed below.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for CPT, please visit the ISSOPortal. You’ll need to complete ALL components of the request form. Here is a breakdown of the questionnaire sections, with some notes to keep in mind:

1. CPT Employment Information

  • Start date: Your earliest start date is the Monday after welcome week. If you have been asked to start early, reach out to Carrie (ctopiel@bu.edu) and Grace (gadev@bu.edu) to discuss. When determining your start date with your employer, remember: You are not permitted to begin your internship until after your CPT is approved. So if you get an offer after the semester has started, you’ll want to arrange a start date at least a week in advance to give time for your application to go through.
  • End date: This should fall during the last week of program. Note: Whatever end date you put is fixed and can only change if you reach out to ISSO for a new I-20.
  • Full or Part Time: In the spring and fall, you must work part time. In the summer, you are able to work full time.
  • Employer name: List the name of the company.
  • Address: Even if you are working remotely, you still must give a physical address on your application.

2. CPT Supervisor Information

  • Supervisor: Please put the name of your direct supervisor. This should match the name of the supervisor listed in your offer letter.

    3. Academic Program Information

    • Confirm with Grace or Carrie if you are unsure of the program completion date.
    • Contact your ISSO advisor if you unsure how to answer the thesis/dissertation question.

    4. Curricular Requirement

    • Select the option “Required for a course for credit.”
    • Course #: View options below **
      • Title: Los Angeles Internship
      • Credits: 4
      • This course is “mandatory”

    5. Submit CPT Documents

    • Upload a copy of your employment/placement offer letter on company letterhead.
      • If the company did not send you a formal offer, you’ll need to request one before you can apply for CPT.
      • The offer letter should include:
        • the start and end date of the internship
        • the name of the supervisor
        • whether it’s full or part time and the number of hours weekly
        • any compensation
        • address where the internship will be taking place (if remote, please specify)
        • a brief description of the intern’s duties.
      • Upload your most recent I-94. Access it here.

      6. Complete Curricular Practical Training Student Acknowledgement

      7. Approval

      • For the approver please put either Grace deVuono (gadev@bu.edu) or Carrie Topiel (ctopiel@bu.edu)

       

      ** Internship Course Numbers:

      • Film/TV Undergraduates: COM FT 493/494E HW
      • Film/TV Graduates: COM FT 953/954E HW
      • Communication Undergraduates: COM CM 471E HW
      • Advertising/PR/Mass Comm Graduates: COM CM 809E HW
      • Questrom/CAS Undergraduates: CAS EC 497E HW
      • CFA Students: CFA TH 541E HW

      It typically takes ISSO one week from your submission date to process the CPT application. You will need to know both your intended start date and the approximate number of hours you’ll be working before you can apply.

      Fall / Spring Semester: You can only apply for Part-Time CPT (20 hours per week or fewer).

      Summer semester: Either Part-Time CPT (20 hours per week or fewer) or Full-Time (up to 40 hours per week).

      IMPORTANT: Once again, when you arrange your start date with your company, you must take the one-week processing time into account.

      Once ISSO approves the CPT, they will send you your updated I-20, and you will be cleared to start working at your internship.

      More information can be found at the ISSO website.

      NON-BU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: You must coordinate with your school’s International Student Office for CPT authorization; keep in mind your school’s policies and procedures may be different from BU. Under most circumstances, your school will still be responsible for issuing your I-20.

      If you have any questions about your CPT authorization, contact ISSO (isso@bu.edu) or a BULA staff member (buinla@bu.edu).