Internship / Practicum Application

Internship / Practicum is a graduation requirement in programs that include it. F-1 students (those with a SEVIS ID) also complete the CPT Authorization section. You may not begin work before the school approves the internship — and, for F-1 students, before a new I-20 with CPT is issued.

Before you start

Are you eligible?

  • You have completed one full academic year of full-time enrollment. (Graduate programs that build CPT into the curriculum may begin earlier.)
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, English proficiency requirement met, and all academic prerequisites completed.
  • The job is related to your field of study, and the work site is within a 65-mile radius of our Los Angeles main campus or Buena Park branch campus.
  • You will enroll in your program’s required internship / practicum course (for example, MBA — BUS 510).
  • CPT is not available to students in the English language (ESL) program.

Online CPT submission is currently available for the MBA program only. Students in other programs should contact the Office of Student Services for guidance.

What to prepare

  • A signed job Offer Letter from the employer (use the Offer Letter Template below).
  • A signed Cooperative Agreement (use the template below). Both files must be PDF — you will upload them in step 3.
  • Your passport, current Form I-20, and most recent I-94.
  • Employer details: company name and address, EIN (if available), supervisor name and email, and phone number.
  • Your proposed internship start and end dates, weekly hours, and pay rate.

How it works

  1. Verify your student record below and complete the application — Section A for everyone, and Section B (CPT Authorization) for F-1 students.
  2. Upload the signed Offer Letter and signed Cooperative Agreement.
  3. Attend a short interview with the Administrator of Student Services, and within one week of approval meet your academic advisor to plan completion of the required course.
  4. F-1 students: the school authorizes CPT in SEVIS and issues a new I-20 showing your CPT. You will be contacted when it is ready.
  5. After approval, if you need a Social Security Number, the Office of Student Services will provide a support letter and your I-20 to take to the Social Security office.
  6. Submit the Internship Termination Form within five days of your internship end date.

Do not begin working until your internship is approved — and, for F-1 students, until a new I-20 with CPT is issued. Working before then is unauthorized employment and a violation of your F-1 status.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for CPT?

F-1 students who have completed one full academic year of full-time study (unless your graduate program requires CPT earlier), have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, have met the English proficiency requirement, and whose job is related to their field of study. CPT is not available in the ESL program.

Can I start working as soon as I submit?

No. You may not begin work until the school approves the internship and — if you are an F-1 student — a new I-20 with CPT is issued. You will be notified when it is ready for pick-up.

Which course do I enroll in?

Your program’s required internship / practicum course. For the MBA this is BUS 510 (Current Issues in Business Management).

How long does approval take?

After you submit, you will be scheduled for a brief interview with the Administrator of Student Services. Processing time depends on the completeness of your documents and the SEVIS / I-20 update, so please apply well before your intended start date.

Do I need a Social Security Number?

If your employer requires one and you do not already have one, the Office of Student Services will give you a support letter and your I-20 to take to the Social Security office after your CPT is approved.

What if I am not in the MBA program?

Online CPT submission is currently available for the MBA only. If you are in another program, please contact the Office of Student Services and we will guide you through the steps.

1 · Verify your student record

We verify your enrollment before you can submit. This also tells us whether you need the CPT section.