Lesson · United States
CPT / placements
What is CPT before I accept an internship?
CPT is school-authorized, course-linked work—approval before you start, not after the first day. Authorization order and employer scripts live in the Jobs playbook.
Need it when
- One term before an internship
- An employer asks you to “start next week”
- You are choosing between on-campus work and CPT
No work day—paid or unpaid—before DSO authorization is on your I-20.
Write the term you want CPT (e.g. Summer 2027 internship)—then open Jobs one term ahead.
Mark at least three concepts (0/5)—especially authorization before day one and full-time CPT vs OPT.
Must know · CPT
Five concepts—not an employer checklist
Tap each when you understand it. Authorization order lives in the Jobs playbook.
Do the how-to elsewhere
Primary handoffs
Practice · order of work
- 1Mark the five CPT conceptsWhat it is, before day one, course link, full-time/OPT, employer talk.Review concepts
- 2Talk to your DSO one term aheadBring the offer letter and job description before you promise a start date.Jobs playbook
- 3Check campus vs CPT readinessOn-campus work may be simpler if you are not internship-ready.Campus jobs tool
Common mistakes
Starting before the CPT start date
Training week counts as work. Wait for the authorized date.
Burning OPT with full-time CPT
Track months of full-time CPT before you accept long internships.
Using this page as a filing checklist
Jobs playbook owns employer scripts and authorization order.
Assuming unpaid means no CPT needed
Ask your DSO—many unpaid roles still need authorization.
Do next
Jobs playbook
Authorization order and employer scripts. For post-study work rules, open the OPT lesson separately.
Also useful
Official source check
Verify changing information before you act
These links are checked server-side from an allowlisted set of government and official study authorities. Availability is not confirmation of eligibility.