What is CPT?

CPT is employment (paid or unpaid) that relates to your current major field of study. It must be related to a course that you are currently enrolled in for the term. It may be part or full-time, based on the job offer from the employer.

Eligibility

• Must be in valid F-1 status and good academic standing
• Must have been enrolled at EMU (or any other U.S. college or university, if you are a transfer student) for at least 8 months full-time
• Employment must take place and be complete prior to the student's program end date
• Employment must take place within the same semester of your class in which the job is related to

Application Process

• Complete the Work/Learning Agreement in collaboration with your professor and employer
• Job offer and professor approval is required for OIS authorization
• Submit the complete agreement to the OIS. Approval may take 2-3 business days.
• Authorization for employment must be obtained from OIS prior to beginning the job
• After employment, students must submit a completed evaluation form to the OIS. Future CPTs will not be granted until the completed evaluation is received.

Note that out-of-state CPT during the last term of study is not allowed, unless an internship is degree-required. Also, full-time CPT for 12 cumulative months cancels the student's Optional Practical Training (OPT).

If you would like to earn internship credit for your employment, you should contact Career Services in McKenny Hall to learn more about the cooperative education procedure.
http://career.emich.edu/new/currstu/coopint.html

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)Initial, 12-Month Program

Application Process

OPT is practical work experience in your field of study after completion of your program. The duration for the initial OPT is 12 months. Students on OPT are still considered to be F-1 students at EMU, even if you are working out of state. The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is not a working permit; it is an extension of your F-1 status for the purposes of practical training.

Eligibility

• Must have been in valid F-1 status for at least 8 months
• Must have completed the program of study. Note that outstanding incompletes do not allow the student to extend their program end date.
• Work must be directly related to the student's current major area of study
• Work must be at a level commensurate with the student's degree level
• If you had OPT previously, you are only eligible for another OPT if your new degree is at a higher level (example Bachelors to Masters)
• Student must have no more than 90 days of unemployment and must report all changes in address, employer information, and periods of unemployment to the OIS within 10 days.

Application Process

• Students do not need a job offer in order to be authorized for OPT
• May apply up to 90 days before program completion and up to 60 days after completion
• Authorization for employment must be obtained from OIS and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to the commencement of employment. USCIS authorization may take more than 2 months.
• Students are required to attend an OPT seminar before seeking employment authorization from the OIS.

What is the 17-month OPT extension?

Students that are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors may be eligible to apply for a 17-month extension of OPT.  Approved STEM fields are based on CIP codes that relate to the program of study.  If you are unsure whether your program of study is approved, please contact the OIS for confirmation.

Eligibility

• Work must be directly related to the student's current major area of study
• Work must be at a level commensurate with the student's degree level
• Employer must be enrolled in the U.S. government's E-Verify program. Click to view the E-Verify Employers and Federal Contractors List.
• Students must be currently on an approval, 12 month initial OPT authorization
• Student must not have accrued more than 90 days of unemployment in the Initial OPT period.
• Student must not accrue a total of 120 days of unemployment in total OPT period (Initial and STEM extension of 29 months)

Application Process

• Must apply for initial 12-month OPT within 60 days of program completion and apply for STEM extension before the initial OPT's end date
• Contact OIS for STEM Extension assistance and application materials.

Changing STEM Employers

It is possible to change employers while on STEM OPT, but speicfic procedures need to be followed. You can find additional information here.

What is H-1B "Cap Gap"

Duration of status and any post-completion OPT work authorization is automatically extended for an F-1 student who is the beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1. This applies to all qualified students on OPT, not just STEM students. Since the regulation states that cap-gap extensions are terminated if the H-1B petition is rejected, denied, or revoked, DHS has in the past created a graduated extension scheme, which will grant extensions of OPT and of F-1 status depending on the situation of the underlying H-1B petition.

Requesting an I-20 with Cap Gap authorization

To request an I-20 with the cap gap authorization, please email the OIS an updated OPT Information Reporting Form (IR-12 or IR17), include a scanned copy of the H1B application receipt notice, and inform us what you would like us to do with the new I-20.

Cap-Gap Resources:

Cap-Gap Fact sheet for employers: http://www.nafsa.org/resourcelibrary/default.aspx?id=11079

Cap-Gap Practice Advisory for F-1 students: http://www.nafsa.org/regulatoryinformation/default.aspx?id=9062

USCIS Cap-Gap Q & A:
USCIS Questions and Answers: Extension of Post Completion Practical Training and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the Cap Gap Regulations