Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary employment authorization for F-1 international students who want to gain practical training in their field of study. Before a student can begin working, they need an updated I-20 with CPT authorization from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Information on the CPT process and eligibility can be found on this page.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers an individualized studies course (BIOL 180) that meets the requirements for CPT enrollment. Students interested in enrolling in a CPT should:

1. Identify your intended internship or work experience location and the type of work you plan to do.
2. Make an appointment with the Department Chair to discuss your planned internship and determine whether the work experience you are proposing meets the requirements for CPT.
3. Follow the CPT Application Process – for the purpose of the form, your advisor is the Biology Department Chair.
4. Once your CPT Application has been processed, enroll in BIOL 180 (request a permission code from the Department Chair to allow enrollment).

Application Deadlines:

The Biology Department has internal deadlines for CPT applications that are earlier than those posted by ISSS, and will not approve late adds of internship or individualized studies courses for the purposes of CPT. Department deadlines for CPT applications are approximately two weeks before the add/drop deadline of each semester, with the exception of summer session, where the deadline is June 1.

2026-2027 Biology Department CPT Application Deadlines*
Summer: June 1
Fall: September 1
Spring: February 8

*if the posted deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day