Working in the United States

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) requires that the job/internship for which you are applying must be an integral part of your degree program at Springfield College. In other words, this internship must be an essential part of your coursework and relate directly to your major course of study. The internship/employment must meet a credit-bearing academic (or “curricular”) requirement or thesis requirement related to a student’s major to qualify for CPT authorization. If an internship or employment opportunity offers “relevant” experience to a student’s major, but is not a requirement of the degree program, it does not qualify for CPT. Instead, the student may be eligible to apply for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training. Clinical rotations do not require work authorization.

CPT can be issued on a part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) basis.  Part-time CPT will not interfere with the ability to pursue your 12 months of Optional Practical Training.  Full-time CPT that totals 12 months or more will result in a student being ineligible for OPT.

• Eligibility - In order to qualify for CPT:
  • You must have been enrolled at Springfield on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year.
    • Note: An exception exists for students in graduate studies whose programs require earlier training
  • You must declare your major.
  • You must have a job offer letter from your employer in a field related to your major (not minor or concentration). 
• Application Process - CPT permission is granted by the International Center.
  • Read and complete the CPT Application Form (pdf).
    • This form must be signed by the faculty advisor or course instructor as well as the student applicant.
  • Compile required documents:
    • Employment/internship offer letter
    • Most recent I-94 form (accessible in the SEVIS portal)
  • Schedule a meeting with the International Center to review your documents and process your application.
    • During this meeting the International Center will process your work authorization and generate a new I-20.
  • There is no fee to apply for CPT

You may apply for CPT more than once. The employment authorization page of your I-20 will specify the permission granted for CPT, as well as the authorized period during which you can work. It will also have the name and address of your employer. It is a violation of your visa status to work outside the dates or for employers other than those printed on your I-20. If the dates of your job/internship or the employer change, make sure to consult with the International Center before engaging in unauthorized work.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an authorization to work in off-campus employment or internships for F-1 students in their major or field of study. Off-campus work is only allowed under certain circumstances. It is important to check with the International Center before engaging in any off-campus employment to make sure you have the proper work authorization in place.

• Eligibility
  • International students are eligible for a total of 12 months of Standard OPT for each level of their education, which can be used as:
    • Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training: OPT used during the annual summer vacation, provided you intend to continue your full-time studies the following semester. 
    • Post-Completion Optional Practical Training: OPT available after completion of your studies, for an authorization period of up to one year. This is for students who are completing their degree and applying for OPT to start after graduation. 
  • No job offer is necessary at the time of application.
  • OPT can be granted in various increments of time. However, any OPT used prior to graduation will be deducted from the total allowed for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training. This means that if you use Pre-Completion OPT, those months will be deducted from the 12-month total.
• Application Process - OPT must be approved by both the International Center and USCIS
  • Students are eligible to apply for OPT beginning 90 days before your program end date.
  • Steps to apply
    • Email the International Center to request instructions and application procedures. 
    • Prepare all materials for the OPT Application. 
    • Contact the International Center to make an appointment to review your materials and application, Form I-765. 
    • The International Center will issue you a new I-20 with an OPT recommendation
    • Mail your application to USCIS or apply online within 30 days of your appointment. 
  • Timeline: allow at least 3 months after submission to receive your EAD card and authorization to work.
  • Once you receive your work authorization, make sure to contact the International Center to complete the OPT Employment Verification Form.
  • There is a fee to apply for OPT.

• As an international student, you must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to be paid for work in the US. You must have a job in order to obtain an SSN. You may not begin working before applying for your SSN!
• Once you have an offer of employment:
  • Make sure to get an offer letter, written on letterhead and signed by your supervisor.
  • Email your offer letter to the International Center and we will issue you a letter to accompany it, along with instructions about how to set up an appointment with the SSA.
  • Travel to the Social Security Administration office to apply for your Social Security Number. Bring your passport, visa, I-20, I-94, and your International Center forms.  
  • Follow these Directions to the Social Security office in Springfield.
  • Once you receive your SSN, check-in with HR (Administration Building, 2nd floor) to complete necessary employment forms including: Form I-9, Federal and State Withholding Forms (W-4, M-4), Payment Elections (Direct Deposit), and possibly a background check.