Semester Time CPT- Fall 2021

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

Semester-time CPT approval IS DIFFERENT FROM SUMMER CPT.  Therefore, read this WHOLE page.

This information is for Fall 2021 ONLY.  Summer 2021 information can be found here. 

REQUIREMENTS: (REad all requirements before applying for CPT)

• CPT can be authorized by the International Programs Office (IPO) and CICS if the internship is credit-earning, directly related to the student's field of study, and integral to their program curriculum

• MS students, NOT a part of the Field Experience Concentration, can only carry out CPT during the semester PART-TIME, less than 20 hours a week, and the work must be remote or local to the UMass area

• PhD and MS/PhD students may carry out CPT that is 20 to 40 hours during the semester

  • CPT for MS/ PhD during the semester can also be in-person, anywhere in the US, not limited to the greater UMass area

• MS students WHO ARE in the Field Experience Concentration can do the following during the semester:

  • carry out up to 40 hours of CPT

  • can enroll in less than 9 credits, but MUST be enrolled in the mandatory CPT course

  • can carry out CPT in-person, anywhere in the US, not limited to the greater UMass area

• CPT is available only prior to the completion of a degree program

• CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program or appear to delay completion of your program

  • MS students- If you are entering into your last semester and you have already earned over 30 credits, you cannot do CPT during the semester nor the summer.

• MS students, NOT in the Field Experience Concentration, must be enrolled as full-time students (minimum of 9 credits), during the semester.  Courses must demand your in-person, on-campus presence. EXCEPT:

  • Winter Break CPT only requires the needed CPT course

  • Students in their final semester.  If in your final semester, students must be enrolled in one course that meets in person, on-campus.

See important additional CPT details and requirements on the International Programs Office (IPO) website.   PHD STUDENTS CLICK HERE

ELIGIBILITY:

• Completed two full semesters in F-1 immigration status, which means two semesters physically in the US
  • UNLESS you are in the Field Experience MS Concentration. Then you can carry out CPT after one semester physically in the US AND completion of the needed Systems and AI classes. 
  • If enrolled in your second semester, review of your CPT will be delayed until you have completed the semester and your grades are posted.
• Good Academic Standing
• Satisfactory Progress toward degree
• You are NOT delaying your graduation due to CPT

CPT APPLICATION PROCESS:

Pre-Approval Steps

• Student verifies that job offer includes all necessary information (follow up with their employer if things are missing, to correct)
  • Must be on company letterhead- with the complete mailing address
  • Must contain ALL of the following information:
    • Job title
    • Brief description of job duties
      • must be related to Computer Science  and your course of study
      • must be specific
    • Hours working per week- part-time or full-time
    • Job location (address where you will actually work)
      • If you are working remotely the letter must clearly state this
    • Exact employment start and end date (must fall within the semester or winter break) 
    • Salary and other related compensation

• Student initiates Experience request on Handshake.

  • After logging in, click on Career Center > Experiences > Request an Experience

  • Complete 37 question survey including:

    • Experience Type = International Graduate Students... (GRAD)

    • Approver email and name:  eparolski@umass.edu Elizabeth Parolski

    • Faculty Sponsor Full Name = Mark Corner (MS); Andrew McGregor (MS/PhD, PhD)

    • Faculty Sponsor UMass Email Address =  MCorner@umass.edu (MS); amcgrego+@umass.edu (MS/PhD, PhD)

    • What is the internship Department and Course Number? = CICS 596T (GRAD)

    • How many credits do you wish to earn? = 1

    • What is your Academic Project? = Post-internship reflection

  • Save Experience As a Draft; then scroll down to the New Attachment Button (if you submit before attaching, go back into Edit mode and attach)

  • Attach the Offer Letter document

  • Attach the signed Field Experience Risk Acknowledge Form

  • Once both attachments are attached HIT SUBMIT! 

• UMass Central Careers reviews after receiving email notification from Handshake; confirms student eligibility in SPIRE, verifies internship is CS-related and offer letter meets requirements (typically reviewed 2-5 business days after submission Saturday & Sunday ARE NOT business days.).

• MS Academic Advising approves Handshake Experience and notifies student of status OR emails student explaining denial and requesting student to take action (typically reviewed 2-5 business days after submission. Saturday & Sunday ARE NOT business days.).

• Student receives Handshake email with PDF attachment of Approved Handshake Experience (save email with PDF for later).(typically reviewed 2-5 business days after approval. Saturday & Sunday ARE NOT business days.).

• Student allowed to formally accept the offer after CICS approval (final CPT approval is not required to accept a job offer).

Approval Steps 

• Student completes and SAVES the FALL 2021 CPT COURSE REGISTRATION Form.
  • NOTE- Semester-time CPT is billed as an academic, semester-time credit.
    • This cost will vary based on the number of credits each student is taking-  Check out your cost HERE
    • Although this one-credit course will appear on your transcript, it does not count toward your CICS degree requirements.
    • SAVE a copy for yourself for IPO e-form
    • THIS FORM IS YOUR PROOF OF ENROLLMENT. THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL UPLOAD TO THE IPO E-FORM IN THE STEPS BELOW.
• Student submits IPO CPT e-form. (Chose the proper form for you (MS & Ph.D. have different forms) via links under the CPT application heading)
  • Use the Option: "I will receive academic credit..."
  • Attach the "Approved Handshake Experience PDF"
  • Attach job offer letter
  • Attach signed Independent Study Registration Form
    • This is different from summer, as there is a form for semester time enrollment
    • THIS IS YOUR PROOF OF ENROLLMENT.
    • NO NEED TO WAIT FOR THE COURSE TO APPEAR IN SPIRE. THIS FORM IS PROOF OF ENROLLMENT.
  • Advisor Name: Elizabeth Parolski
  • Advisor Title: Academic Advisor
  • Advisor Email: eparolski@umass.edu
  • Department: Computer Science
  • Advisor Phone: 413-545-4822
• MS Advising reviews the CPT e-form; approves, as appropriate.
• IPO reviews the completed CPT request and submits paperwork to federal government to generate I-20 (typically reviewed 7-10 business days after receipt). Important: Student cannot begin working until CPT is approved (start date may need to change if approval pending).
• Student picks up the CPT I-20 at the IPO.
• Student can apply for Social Security Number (SSN).
• Student provides employer with new I-20, valid passport, and evidence of F-1 immigration status (F-1 visa or USCIS F-1 approval notice, and I-94 record) to satisfy Federal employment authorization requirements.

After Internship

• Student completes survey reflecting on their summer internship experience.
• Instructor of Record and CICS Graduate programs documents Pass/Fail grade.

Questions or concerns- email Elizabeth Parolski, MS Advisor- eparolski@umass.edu