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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization

Do You Need to Apply for CPT Authorization?

If you are an F-1 student on an Emory I-20, and seek to do any type of off-campus work, externship, internship, practicum or training experience, etc. – whether for pay, for credit, or as a volunteer – you should secure CPT authorization before you begin, so as not to jeopardize your immigration status.

To learn more about CPT authorization, see Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Further, to discuss your circumstances and/or to address questions concerning CPT authorization, contact your assigned International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) advisor. To identify your assigned ISSS advisor, see Find Your ISSS Advisor.

For all CPT Requests:

  • You must currently hold valid F-1 status.
  • You must have completed at least one academic year as a full-time student at a U.S. institution before the work, externship, internship, practicum or training experience, etc. begins.
  • CPT requests based on course enrollment require successful completion of that course. You should not drop or withdraw from the course, nor transfer to another school, prior to course completion.
  • Eligible positions can be paid or unpaid with a non-profit or private sector organization. You can work part time (20 hours/week or less) during the fall, spring, or summer and full time (more than 20 hours/week) during the summer, unless the summer is your first or last term.

Externships

If you plan to extern during the fall or spring semester, you will need to request CPT authorization as outlined below: 

  • Upon acceptance of your externship offer via Symplicity, the externships program will enroll you in the corresponding externship course.
  • You should request CPT authorization at least two weeks before your scheduled externship start date.
  • Go online to complete your request for CPT authorization from the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office via the student portal.
  • You will need to upload an employment offer letter from your externship supervisor (see below or this "CPT Procedure and Required Documents" tab for letter requirements). You should email a copy of the letter to Lauren Jirak before applying online.

*Lauren Jirak (lauren.e.jirak@emory.edu) should be listed as your Law School academic advisor on all ISSS e-forms. 

  • If CPT is approved, ISSS will email the I-20 with CPT authorization.
  • You cannot start your externship (including orientation or training) without your new, CPT I-20. Doing so will jeopardize your immigration status and Emory University School of Law enrollment.

Summer or Academic Year Internship or Employment

First Summer Internship or Employment (Non-Externship):

If you plan to intern/work off-campus during the summer, and this is your first summer CPT request, you will need to request CPT authorization as outlined below: 

  • Enroll in Law 574: Supervised Essay on Legal Practice during registration for fall classes. You must be enrolled in this course before you can apply for CPT authorization. 
  • Once you have secured a summer position – and no later than two weeks before you start the position – you should request CPT authorization.
  • Go online to complete your request for CPT authorization from the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office via the student portal.
  • You will need to upload an employment offer letter from your summer employer (see below or this "CPT Procedure and Required Documents" tab for letter requirements). You should email a copy of the letter to Lauren Jirak before applying online.

*Lauren Jirak (lauren.e.jirak@emory.edu) should be listed as your Law School academic advisor on all ISSS e-forms. 

  • If CPT is approved, ISSS will email the I-20 with CPT authorization.
  • You cannot start work (including orientation or training) without your new, CPT I-20. Doing so will jeopardize your immigration status and Emory University School of Law enrollment.

IF YOU HAVE TWO SUMMER POSITIONS: If you have two opportunities during your first summer working or volunteering, you only will need to register for Law 574 once, but you will need to complete two CPT authorization requests with ISSS – one for each employer.

Second Summer or Academic Year Internship or Employment (Non-Externship):

If you plan to intern/work off-campus during the summer as a second or third year law student and you were granted CPT previously through Law 574, or if you plan to intern/work off-campus during the Academic Year as a second or third year law student, you will need to submit a new CPT authorization request as outlined below: 

  • Once you secure your position, find a full-time, non-adjunct faculty member (who teaches in an area related to your position) to supervise a Practicum Research Paper. For example, if your job is with an intellectual property firm, identify and approach a professor who teaches in the IP-area and then complete a related research paper.
    • Reach an agreement with your faculty supervisor on a topic that relates to the work you will be doing with the employer.
    • The paper should be a research paper, 12 to 15 pages in length.
    • For summer internships, the final submission to your faculty supervisor is no laterthan October 15 of the immediately following fall semester.
  • Once you have agreed on the topic of your paper with your faculty supervisor, complete and submit the Practicum Research Paper request form to Lauren Jirak, and enroll in a one-credit course: Law 897(A) or (B).
  • After enrolling in Law 897(A) or (B) – and no later than two weeks before you start your position – you must request CPT authorization.
  • Go online to complete your request for CPT authorization from the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office via the student portal.
  • You will need to upload an employment offer letter from your employer (see below or this "CPT Procedure and Required Documents" tab for letter requirements). You should email a copy of the letter to Lauren Jirak before applying online.

*Lauren Jirak (lauren.e.jirak@emory.edu) in the Career Center should be listed as your Law School academic advisor on all ISSS e-forms.

  • If CPT is approved, ISSS will email the I-20 with CPT authorization.
  • You cannot start work (including orientation or training) without your new, CPT I-20. Doing so will jeopardize your immigration status and Emory Law School enrollment.

Employment Offer Letter Requirements

Your employment offer letter should meet the following requirements:

  • Be on the employer’s letterhead
  • Be signed by the hiring manager
  • State your full legal name
  • State your job title
  • Include a brief description of the goals, objectives, and/or expected duties of your employment
  • Have the exact start date and end date for your employment
    • If the CPT eligibility is based on enrollment in a course, the CPT authorization must fall within the semester dates as listed on the university academic calendar
  • Include the full physical address of your place of employment, including street address, city, state and zip code (if the job duties will be performed remotely, this should be indicated in the letter)
  • State the number of hours you are expected to work per week
  • Indicate the name and email address of your supervisor
  • Indicate the expected salary for your position (or “zero salary,” if it is a public sector non-paid position)