Work authorization is required for all international students undertaking studies at the University of North America. It is not required for domestic students and green card holders.

The critical caveat in cooperative education is that the work placement must be a necessary part of an established curriculum. The training is defined as “alternative work study / internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative education agreements with the school” (Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 214.2 (f)(10)(i).

• Students may engage in CPT only for a specific employer, location, and period approved and recorded by the Designated School Officer (DSO) on the I-20.

• The duration of CPT depends on the specific period granted by the DSO.  The CPT is authorized by the DSO in increments of no more than one year, or until expected date of employment completion, whichever is shorter.

• CPT can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours).

• The work experience must be an integral part of an established curriculum in the student’s course of study.

• The student must have an offer of employment from an employer offering work that qualifies as curricular practical training.

• Use of full-time CPT for one year or more eliminates eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• The student must receive written authorization from the DSO, who records authorization on Form I-20 ID, before work begins.  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval is not required.

• The student must continue to maintain a full course of study in F-1 status during the period of employment, but some exceptions may exist for some CPT.