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Frequently Asked Questions
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Full Time Status
- Question: How many credits do I have to take to be a full-time student?
Answer: Undergraduate students must take a minimum of 12 credits each semester, Fall and Spring.
Graduate students normally enroll for 9 units to be considered full-time. Immigration permits a few exceptions. For details, please refer to the Exceptions to full time status section in the International Student Handbook
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is an opportunity for which students in F-1 visa status may apply to gain hands-on experience in their field of study while enrolled full-time at SJSU. As the name implies, CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum in the student's program of study. Application for CPT is made to and adjudicated by a Designated School Office at the office of International Programs and Services (IPS.)
- Question: Do I have to enroll in an academic course to do curricular practical training (CPT)?
Answer: Yes. Students must enroll in at least 9 units as a graduate or 12 units as an undergraduate, including an
Internship course in their major each semester that they wish to do CPT. The Winter term can be included in a CPT authorized for the previous Fall semester, or the subsequent Spring semester. In summer, CPT may be approved with one internship course in the major. Full time study is not required in summer.
- Question: May I start working as soon as I turn in my CPT application to the IPS Office?
Answer: No. You cannot begin work until IPS gives you your new I-20 with the CPT authorization on it. Students must show proof of course enrollment, a job offer letter from the employer and the CPT Worksheet filled out by their department advisor, before a CPT request will be processed. Processing takes one to three weeks on average.
- Question: My department is not offering a course appropriate for CPT this semester. May I take one offered by another academic department?
Answer: No. The course must be in the student’s major department.
- Question: What about doing CPT in my minor?
Answer: No. CPT can only be approved in your major department.
- Question: I have an offer now, but registration is already closed for this semester. May I begin work now and get credit for the course next semester?
Answer: No. The dates for the CPT must correspond to the beginning and ending dates of the semester when the credit is earned.
- Question: I can’t take any more courses until I pass the WST. May I enroll in an internship class and do CPT until I pass the WST?
Answer: No. Students who have failed the WST, are on academic probation, or who are otherwise not making normal progress in their studies will not be approved for CPT.
- Question: I was in F-1 status for a year at my old school. This is my first semester at SJSU. When may I start CPT?
Answer: Student's transferring from another U.S. institution to continue in the same degree program at the same level must complete one semester at SJSU with at least 9 units as graduate or 12 units as undergraduate enrollment. Students starting a new Bachelor's, Master's or Credential program will not be authorized for CPT until they complete two semesters at SJSU with at least 9 units as graduate, or 12 units as undergraduate enrollment, unless the practicum or internship is required of all students during their first or second semester.
- Question: May I take classes part-time and work full time on CPT?
Answer: No. CPT will not be authorized unless the student is full-time, defined as: 9 units for graduate students; 12 units for undergraduate students. Course credit hours for CPT count toward full-time status. CPT is authorized for part time work during Fall and Spring semesters. Full time CPT is only authorized during summer.
- Question: May I continue to do full-time CPT, if I’ve finished all coursework and need it to complete my project?
Answer: Once the required number of credits for graduation has been completed, no additional CPT will be granted.
CPT will be granted for a maximum of three authorizations; this may include the project if necessary. Students who have used all three CPT authorizations, may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) if they believe even more work will be needed to complete their project. We advise that the OPT application be made 120 days prior to the start date, to allow for USCIS immigration processing time.
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