The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) offers Curricular Practical Training (CPT) information sessions for eligible F-1 students whose academic programs require practical training as part of the curriculum.
CPT Is Limited to Required Curricular Training
Following current Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidance, Cal State LA has revised how new Curricular Practical Training requests are reviewed.
CPT is intended for an internship, practicum, clinical experience, fieldwork, student teaching, or other practical training experience that is required by the student's degree or academic program and is an integral part of the established curriculum.
An internship does not qualify for CPT simply because a student can receive academic credit for it. Optional internships, internship electives, optional internship tracks, and experiences pursued primarily for professional development are not currently eligible for new CPT authorization at Cal State LA.
Who Should Attend a CPT Information Session?
These sessions are intended for F-1 students who are approaching a required practical-training component of their academic program.
You Should Attend If...
Your degree, credential, or approved program plan requires you to complete an off-campus:
- Internship
- Practicum
- Clinical placement
- Fieldwork or practicum education
- Student teaching or directed teaching
- Other required practical-training experience
CPT Is Not Intended For...
- An optional internship
- An internship taken only for elective credit
- An optional internship concentration or track
- An internship pursued primarily for professional experience
- Employment that is related to the major but not required by the curriculum
Being offered an internship or being able to enroll in an internship course does not by itself establish CPT eligibility.
Examples of Cal State LA Programs With Required Practical Training
Examples of programs that include required clinical, fieldwork, practicum, internship, or student-teaching experiences include:
Social Work
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) required fieldwork
- Master of Social Work (MSW) required practicum education
- MSW Advanced Standing required practicum education
Nursing
- Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing clinical education
- Graduate nursing programs with required clinical or practicum experiences
- Nurse Practitioner programs with required clinical placements
- Nursing Education programs with required practical teaching experience
- Doctor of Nursing Practice programs with required practicum or clinical scholarship hours
College of Education
- Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- Single Subject Teaching Credential
- Education Specialist Teaching Credentials
- Urban Learning pathways that include completion of a teaching credential
- Educational Administration / Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
- Education Specialist in School Psychology
- School-Based Family Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Orientation & Mobility programs requiring fieldwork
- Required TESOL practicum when the experience involves qualifying off-campus practical training
This list is illustrative, not an automatic determination of CPT eligibility. ISSO reviews the student's actual degree or program requirements and proposed practical-training experience before authorizing CPT.
Before Submitting a CPT Request
Eligible F-1 students must attend a CPT information session before submitting a CPT request to ISSO.
The session explains current eligibility requirements, required documentation, the authorization process, and when employment may begin.
Do not begin an off-campus internship, clinical placement, fieldwork experience, practicum, or other employment before CPT has been authorized by ISSO and the CPT authorization appears on your Form I-20.
Fall 2026 CPT Information Sessions
All Fall 2026 CPT information sessions are held virtually via Zoom.
ISSO will send eligible F-1 students an email invitation with the RSVP link approximately one week before each session.
| Session | Day | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information Session | Wednesday | September 9 | 3:00-4:00 p.m. | Zoom |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information Session | Tuesday | October 13 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Zoom |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information Session | Thursday | November 19 | 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Zoom |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information Session | Friday | December 11 | 10:00-11:00 a.m. | Zoom |
Not Sure Whether Your Program Qualifies?
If your academic program requires an internship, practicum, clinical experience, fieldwork, student teaching, or another practical-training experience and you are unsure whether CPT is required, contact ISSO before beginning the experience.