Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CPT?
2. What is the difference between CPT and OPT (Optional Practical Training)?
3. What is the difference between an "internship" or a "co-op" position?
4. How is co-op an academic program?
5. May I earn academic credit for co-op-sponsored CPT?
6. Do I pay anything for co-op?
7. Do I need to complete a minimum of 20 UCF semester hours to qualify for co-op?
8. What salaries do co-op (CPT) students usually earn?
9. How long does it take to get hired?
10. Do employers offer their co-ops or interns professional positions when they graduate?
11. How do I join the co-op program?

1. What is CPT?
   • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is "employment which is an integral or important part of your curriculum." It refers to any off-campus paid work experience, be it a co-op position, internship, practicum, research project, or work/study arrangement offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements which the University. In every case above, the work you perform must be related to your current field of study. Moreover, while under F-1 status, you are required to obtain CPT authorization through the International Services Center (ISC) for any work experience (pais or unpaid) you obtain.
2. What is the difference between CPT and OPT (Optional Practical Training)?
   • CPT allows you to work -- with certain restrictions -- either part-time or full-time in your major field while completing your degree program; OPT permits you to work without restrictions for one year, in your feild od study.
3. What is the difference between an "internship" or a "co-op" position?
   • Though the terms sometimes are used interchangeably by employers when referring to students working professionally in their major, there are some differences. Internships occur over a single semester, usually towards the end of a degree program, allow for earning degree credit for the experience, and may be paid or unpaid. Co-ops work multiple semesters, are always paid, and may or may not receive academic credit, depending on their major.
4. How is co-op an academic program?
   • CPT requires academic commitment and is a part of your educational program. The co-op program is responsible for verifying the "curricular practical training" aspect of your paid work experience, which is validated and confirmed through the Learning Objectives you design and describe in writing after you‘ve begun working, and in the Semester Report and the Employer Evaluation you‘ll submit at the end of each semester you work.
5. May I earn academic credit for co-op-sponsored CPT?
   • Co-op for credit is available for students when it will count in their degree programs, either as a general elective or a departmental elective. This is decided in each academic department, usually by an advisor, so getting co-op credit depends upon your major or study program. Students may earn from one to three hours of degree credit for what they learn during each semester they work.
6. Do I pay anything for co-op?
   • When you are in co-op, you are registered for a co-op course each semester you work. If you are enrolled for one or more credit hours during the semesters you opt for CPT and are not taking co-op for credit, you do not pay a fee for your co-op course. If you take co-op for credit however, you do pay a fee for the credit as you would for any other credit course. If you are taking no other classes except co-op, you must pay a fee comparable to one hour at the in-state fee level. For instance, you are always enrolled for classes or thesis hours during fall and spring semesters in order to maintain your F-1 Visa status. During those semesters you would not pay a fee for co-op unless you were taking co-op for credit. Over summers however, you may wish to work full time and take no classes, since you would be charged a fee equal to one hour at the in-state fee level for co-op supported CPT. GTAs GRAs and GAs with summer appointments must confirm their eligibility for full time CPR with the ISC office.
7. Do I need to complete a minimum of 20 UCF semester hours to qualify for co-op?
   • If you are entering UCF as a freshman or as a first time student in the U.S. in a graduate program, you must complete 20 hours at UCF to qualify. However, if you have already earned 20 semester hours in the U.S., in any higher education institution, you already have enough credits to qualify. Employers prefer students to have completed a year of college work before they offer them professional work experience. USCIS requires students to wait nine (9) months before being eligible for CPT.
8. What salaries do co-op (CPT) students usually earn?
   • Hourly salaries vary both by major field and class standing.
9. How long does it take to get hired?
   • Some students get hired within the first week of applying for a position, while others may wait weeks or months, depending upon how quickly employers act upon the referrals they receive. There is no guarantee that a student will obtain a co-op position, but given enough time, most students find an appropriate position.
10. Do employers offer their co-ops or interns professional positions when they graduate?
    • Oftentimes, they do. While your CPT experience will give you a clear job-search advantage for employment elsewhere, the opportunity to remain with your CPT employer may also be possible. Most co-op employers use their co-op program to identify and train students for career-track positions within their companies.
11. How do I join the co-op program?
    • Complete the co-op application online, or come to the Experiential Learning office to fill it out.
    • Review the account setup page and obtain the required documents.
    • Meet with your co-op coordinator.
    • Meet with ISC advisor regarding legal employment authorization.