The following is the process for international students to obtain iSchool approval for CPT (Curricular Practical Training). This page was updated in September 2023.
OPT graduation letters can be obtained from the Graduate Advisor.
The Texas Global's CPT page is the primary source of information on CPT, and provides answers on timing and process. They now provide an online submission system, called myIO. Students should review Texas Global's procedures thoroughly, including how start and finish dates of appointments align with course registration.
CPT has four options. At the iSchool employment is not required for the degree (Option 1), there is no Co-op program (Option 4) and Option 3 is only for thesis/dissertations (granted very rarely), so CPT must be associated with a course (Option 2).
The iSchool makes four courses available for use with CPT under Option 2 (see below). Students are advised that the most common option is to register in the INF 188T Internship course, either in the same semester as the CPT or, when CPT is in summer, in the following Fall semester (although review Texas Global advice). Registering in Fall is substantially less expensive (because your 10th or 11th credit is less expensive than your 1st).
iSchool CPT applications must be submitted via the myIO system (the PDF CPT form is no longer accepted) and by generating an email as specified below.
The myIO system requires you to specify the course option (below) and to upload your letter from your employer. It also requires you to specify contacts at the iSchool. The language varies, sometimes saying "your academic advisor" or "point of contact" or "an advisor" or "your graduate advisor". For all of these, please use Amelia Acker, aacker@ischool.utexas.edu.
CPT start dates
As detailed on Texas Global's page (heading "What are the earliest and latest start dates I can use for CPT authorization" near the bottom of their page) you'll see If your job will start prior to the graduation date (often around 20 May) for that semester, then you need a letter saying that you'll have completed all course requirements by that date. If your start date is before that date, please include the syllabus for all courses you are enrolled in, helping me see if there are any exams, etc.
Texas Career Engagement Zero-Credit Internship Course -- EXP 080.
This course does not count toward your degree. It is zero-credit and zero-cost. It does require weekly assignments.
For detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedure, and assignments, please see: https://careerengagement.utexas.edu/undergraduate-students/get-experience/zero-credit-internships-career-experiences-course/
Hours and Weeks Requirement
Students must participate in the internship for a minimum of 120 total hours over a minimum of 5 weeks between the first and last class day of the semester or summer of enrollment.
To apply:
- Log on to your HireUTexas Handshake account
- From the top navigation bar, click Career Center
- Select Experiences, then select Submit an Experience
- Under Experience Type, select EXP000/080: Internships and Career Experiences Course (0-Credit)
- Fill out the form, then save your form by clicking Submit Experience at the end
- Next, click “New Attachment” in the left navigation bar, upload your offer letter and click Create Attachment
- Once your letter is attached, your application has been submitted and the review process will begin
Applications that have been thoroughly completed are normally processed within 2-3 business days. The process may take longer if information is missing or not sufficient.
Offer Letter: Students must submit an offer letter reflecting the following position details:
- Number of intern hours and weeks
- Supervisor’s name and email address
- Pay rate (can be paid or unpaid)
- Location of work (can be in-person, virtual/remote or hybrid)
- Position title, along with any additional position information
International Students
International students who plan to use EXP 000/080 to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) must obtain all necessary CPT approvals from ISSS before beginning employment.
UT iSchool Internship Course -- INF 188T, 288T, 388T (1, 2, or 3 credits aka x88T)
This course does not count toward your degree, but no faculty sponsor nor extra work are required. It does count toward your full-time enrollment criteria (hence the options 2 or 3 credits, discussed below), and can be taken multiple times, including multiple sections in a semester to cover multiple CPTs. Two and three credit versions of the internship course (INF 288T and INF 388T, which are only needed for full-time enrollment), must still be registered for through the iSchool. They require a completed INF x88T Internship form. Complete that form (including the "unique number", obtain the required signatures, and then submit the completed form to gradoffice@ischool.utexas.edu during an active registration period to have the class added to their schedule.
Please send aacker@ischool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Internship Course
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I have attached a completed form for registration in the INF x88T course I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO
Professional Experience and Project (Capstone course) -- INF 388L (3 credits)
This course is available for CPT associated only with your PEP capstone. It does count toward full-time enrollment criteria, and can be taken only once.
Registration in INF 388L is required at the time the student submits via the myIO system. Normally students enroll in that course during pre-registration, via the registrar's system.
Please send aacker@ischool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Capstone Course
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I am registered in the PEP Capstone course for the XXXX semester I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO
Individual Studies -- INF 181, 281, 381 (1, 2, or 3 credits)
This can count towards the hours needed for your degree, but a faculty sponsor and extra academic work are required, as with any Individual Study. That extra work is equivalent to any other course, and can thus be quite substantial. This course does count toward your full-time enrollment criteria. This can be taken multiple times, subject to same rules as any Individual Studies.
Registration is via the Individual Study registration form, linked from the MSIS Program page. Students seeking to use this option must email that form, already signed by a faculty member, at the same time that the CPT application is submitted via myIO, using the email template below.
Please send aacker@ischool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Individual Study Course
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I have attached a completed form for Individual Study, already signed by an iSchool faculty member I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO