International students should be aware of the federal laws and regulations that apply to them while they are studying in the U.S. including not accepting employment of any kind. Helpful information can be found at www.travel.state.gov. Violating any of these federal laws could jeopardize the student’s ability to continue his or her studies in the U.S.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
Curricular practical training is a type of employment that is either required by your curriculum, or is an academically integrated part of a credit-bearing course. This employment may be an internship, co-op education job, a practicum, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree (as defined in the Undergraduate Catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded. Please contact the ISL for more information if your degree program will permit CPT. Full-time CPT will prohibit your ability to do OPT after your studies are completed.

Optional Practical Training (OPT):
Optional practical training is defined in the regulations as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study" [8 C.F.R section 214.2 (f)(10)(ii)]. Most students choose to request OPT at the end of their program of study.

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