Resources for International Graduate Students
Working in the United States: Internships & Co-ops
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. This work cannot violate the terms of your visa.
CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program and you must have an internship offer before you apply for CPT. CPT employment may not delay completion of your academic program. Students must have completed two academic semesters in the United States in order to qualify.
CNS international graduate students must register for a one-credit course in order to participate in any CPT:
- For most students, it should be a graduate-level internship/practicum course (ending in 698)
- For doctoral students, if all coursework has been completed and if the internship is related to your dissertation, it should be 899
- For master’s students with thesis, if all coursework has been completed and if the internship is related to your dissertation, it should be 699
All students must complete an academic project for the credit as follows: After the completion of the internship, the student should submit a one-page reflection statement that addresses the experience and how it enhanced the student’s graduate training. For doctoral students, the statement should address how the experience enhanced their dissertation work. The student should also request their internship mentor provide feedback about the student’s work via email to the graduate program director.
To apply for CPT either for summer, winter, or during an academic term, students must follow the CPT steps outlined on the OGA webpage: https://www.umass.edu/global-affairs/international-students-scholars/immigration/f1-students/employment/cpt
Still have questions? If you have questions about submitting an Experiential Learning Request in SPIRE, contact the Field Experience Office at internships [at] umass [dot] edu (internships[at]umass[dot]edu).
Visit the Office of Global Affairs for more information, or schedule an appointment with your ISSS advisor. You can put the link to this page here: https://www.umass.edu/global-affairs/international-students-scholars/staff/advisors
Working in the United States: Post-Graduation
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a way for international candidates to earn full-time employment upon graduation from their degree program for a period of one year. UMass Office of Global Affairs Guidelines & Application Optional Practical Training (OPT) : Office of Global Affairs : UMass Amherst
Some F-1 students on Post-Completion OPT are eligible for an additional 2 years of work authorization under the 24-month STEM OPT. Information on STEM OPT may be accessed here: STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) : Office of Global Affairs : UMass Amherst