Important Update: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
On August 12 and August 24, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued new guidance to Designated School Officials regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.
In response to this guidance, and while Cal State LA continues to review its application to University academic programs, ISSO is currently authorizing CPT only when an internship, practicum, or other practical training experience is a required component of the student's major or graduate degree program and is required of all students in that program as a condition of graduation.
At this time, CPT will not be authorized solely because an internship or practical experience is connected to an elective course, carries academic credit, or may otherwise contribute to a student's academic or professional development when the practical training itself is not required for completion of the degree program.
Cal State LA will continue to monitor federal guidance and will update its CPT procedures if additional clarification becomes available.
Employment can be an important part of your academic and professional experience in the United States. F-1 students may have opportunities to work on campus or participate in employment and practical training related to their academic program, but federal immigration requirements determine when and how those activities are permitted.
Do not begin employment, an internship, practical training, or another work-related activity unless you are certain that it is permitted under your F-1 status and you have received any required authorization.
Career Support and Immigration Authorization Are Different
The Cal State LA Career Center can help you find jobs and internships, develop your résumé, prepare for interviews, connect with employers, and use Handshake.
ISSO advises students regarding F-1 employment authorization and processes immigration requests such as CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT.
Finding a job or internship does not automatically mean that you are authorized to participate in it.
On-Campus Employment
Eligible F-1 students may generally work in qualifying on-campus employment without applying to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a separate Employment Authorization Document.
During periods when school is in session, F-1 students may work a total of up to 20 hours per week across all qualifying on-campus positions. Eligible students may generally work more than 20 hours during official periods when school is not in session or during an authorized annual vacation.
What Qualifies as On-Campus Employment?
Qualifying employment may include:
- Employment directly for Cal State LA, such as a student assistant, instructional student assistant, graduate assistant, research assistant, or other qualifying University position
- Employment for a business located on campus that directly provides services to students
- Certain employment at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with Cal State LA and meets federal requirements
Simply working at a location physically located on campus does not automatically make a job qualifying on-campus employment.
If you are unsure whether a position qualifies as on-campus employment, contact ISSO before beginning work.
More Than One On-Campus Job
F-1 students may hold more than one qualifying on-campus position, but the combined hours from all positions must remain within the applicable employment-hour limit while school is in session.
Find an On-Campus Job
Most Cal State LA student employment opportunities are posted through Handshake, the University's career and employment platform.
The Career Center also provides information about student jobs on campus .
Social Security Number and Employment Verification
F-1 students generally become eligible to apply for a Social Security Number when they have qualifying employment.
Students who need an ISSO employment verification or Social Security support letter should submit the appropriate request through the International Student Portal.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training is a form of F-1 practical training associated with an established academic curriculum and directly related to the student's major field of study.
Current Cal State LA CPT Processing
In light of SEVP guidance issued on August 12 and August 24, 2026, Cal State LA has temporarily limited new CPT authorization to practical training that is required for completion of the student's major or graduate degree program.
To be considered under the University's current CPT process, the internship, practicum, or practical training must:
- Be directly related to the student's major field of study;
- Be an established component of the academic curriculum;
- Be required of all students in the major or graduate degree program, regardless of citizenship or immigration status; and
- Be required for completion of the degree.
ISSO may require documentation from the official University catalog, approved curriculum, academic department, or other University records confirming that the practical training is an established graduation requirement.
CPT That Is Currently Paused
At this time, ISSO is not authorizing new CPT requests when the proposed practical training is optional rather than required for completion of the degree program.
This includes requests based solely on:
- An elective internship or practicum course
- An optional internship available to some students in the program
- Receiving academic credit for an internship
- Independent study or experiential-learning credit
- A faculty or department recommendation when the practical training is not an established requirement for all students in the degree program
Academic value, relevance to a student's major, or the availability of course credit does not by itself establish eligibility under Cal State LA's current CPT processing standard.
Why Has Cal State LA Changed Its CPT Process?
The federal CPT regulation has long required practical training to be an integral part of an established curriculum. In August 2026, SEVP issued guidance to Designated School Officials applying a more restrictive interpretation of that standard and emphasizing institutional and DSO responsibility for CPT authorization.
Cal State LA has adjusted its CPT processing procedures in response to this federal guidance while the University continues to evaluate its implications for academic programs. The University will update students and academic departments if SEVP provides additional clarification or if Cal State LA's procedures change.
Students in Degree Programs With Required Internships or Practica
Students whose major or graduate program requires an internship, practicum, or other practical training experience for graduation should contact ISSO before beginning the experience.
The fact that an experience is required for graduation does not by itself authorize employment. ISSO must review the student's individual F-1 eligibility and authorize CPT before the student begins the practical training.
Students With Optional Internship Opportunities
Students whose internship or practical training is not required for completion of the degree program should not submit a new CPT request at this time.
Students may contact ISSO to discuss whether another form of F-1 employment authorization may be available based on their individual circumstances. Eligibility for another employment category is not guaranteed.
Before Requesting CPT
Students whose degree program includes a required internship, practicum, or practical training component should:
- Confirm with their academic program that the experience is a published or formally established degree requirement
- Obtain a firm offer describing the employer, position, location, dates, and proposed employment hours
- Complete any required Cal State LA CPT information session or ISSO instructional process
- Submit the required CPT request and supporting documentation to ISSO
- Wait until CPT authorization appears on the Form I-20 before beginning the practical training
Never Begin CPT Before Authorization
CPT authorization is employer-specific, location-specific, and date-specific. Do not begin working, training, or participating in the practical experience until ISSO has completed its review, authorized the CPT in SEVIS, and issued a Form I-20 showing the approved authorization.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training allows eligible F-1 students to participate in temporary employment or practical training that is directly related to their major field of study.
Eligible students may generally receive up to 12 months of OPT at a particular educational level, subject to prior use of practical training and other eligibility requirements.
Post-Completion OPT
Post-completion OPT is generally used after a student completes the academic program listed on the Form I-20.
OPT requires a recommendation from an ISSO DSO and approval from USCIS. Students may not begin employment until USCIS has approved the application, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been issued, and the authorized employment start date has arrived.
Complete the OPT Course
Cal State LA students must complete the ISSO OPT course in Canvas before beginning the University's OPT application process.
24-Month STEM OPT Extension
Some students completing post-completion OPT may qualify for an additional 24 months of STEM OPT based on an eligible science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree.
Eligibility includes requirements involving the student's qualifying degree, current OPT status, the employer's participation in E-Verify, and completion of the Form I-983 Training Plan.
STEM OPT also carries ongoing reporting and training-plan requirements for both the student and employer.
Students approaching the end of post-completion OPT should contact ISSO early if they believe they may qualify for the STEM OPT extension.
Internship With a Qualifying International Organization
Federal regulations provide a separate employment-authorization category for eligible F-1 students who receive an internship offer from certain qualifying international organizations.
This is a specialized category and requires immigration review and USCIS employment authorization.
Contact ISSO before accepting or beginning an internship that you believe may fall within this category.
Severe Economic Hardship Employment
In limited circumstances, an eligible F-1 student who experiences severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control may be able to request off-campus employment authorization.
This category requires specific eligibility criteria, a recommendation from a DSO, an application to USCIS, and USCIS approval before employment can begin.
Students experiencing unexpected financial hardship should schedule an appointment with ISSO to discuss their individual circumstances rather than beginning off-campus work without authorization.
Build Your Career While Maintaining F-1 Status
Immigration authorization determines whether you may participate in a particular employment experience. The Career Center can help you prepare for those opportunities.
Career Center services include job and internship searches through Handshake, résumé and cover letter support, interview preparation, career fairs and employer events, and career exploration and planning.
Employment Forms & Requests
Most ISSO employment-related requests are submitted through the International Student Portal.
Access the International Student Portal
For instructions and a list of common requests, visit Forms & Requests .
Unsure Whether You Can Work?
Ask ISSO before you begin. Unauthorized employment can have serious consequences for F-1 status. If you are uncertain whether an opportunity qualifies as on-campus employment or requires CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, or another form of authorization, contact ISSO before accepting or beginning the activity.
Questions About F-1 Employment?
Contact the International Students and Scholars Office for immigration advising related to employment or practical training.
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
Library Palmer Wing, Room 4503
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 323-343-3170