Internships with CPT – International Students
International students are encouraged to consider whether they would like to do an internship in the U.S., their home country, or another international location.
Opportunities within the US
Eligibility Requirements for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Students must be in full-time status for nine months to be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (first-year international students and exchange students are not eligible for internships)
- The internship must be an “integral” part of the curriculum for one’s major course of study
- The internship must have been offered prior to CPT being authorized
- Students may only apply for CPT before completion of their study
- It is required that students consult with OISS when applying for internships authorization.
For information regarding eligibility and authorization, contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at 310.338.2937 or oiss@lmu.edu.
OISS is located in Malone Student Center, Suite 201. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
OISS will require the following prior to authorizing CPT:
- Proof of enrollment in an internship course
- Letter from the employer including:
- student’s name
- start and end dates of internship
- full-time or part-time
- how work is directly related to student’s major course of study
- employer name and address
Number of Work Hours Allowed: Students can only work a total of up to 20 hours/week for all work (on and off campus) during the academic year (when classes are in session). For example, a student can work a campus job at 12 hours/week and an internship job at 8 hours/week. If the total number of hours worked goes over 20 hours/week, they are ineligible and would be considered illegal.
Please note: OISS requires all of the information listed in order to authorize the CPT through SEVIS. CPT must be done on a term by term basis. The dates of employment must coincide with the semester registered for the internship credit. The work authorized under CPT must directly relate to the student’s field of study.
Opportunities Outside the U.S.
International students who find internship opportunities outside of the United States (interim or summer) would not need to follow CPT requirements (i.e. would not need to register for academic internship credit). Keep in mind you may need work authorization in the country in which you would be working. Internships during the interim and academic terms are eligible for academic internship credit without incurring additional tuition fees, all the while gaining valuable work experience.