CPT is any off-campus employment in the form of internships, practicums, etc. CPT requires employment authorization in advance. All internships must be approved by the Career Center to be eligible for CPT.
All students on CPT must report changes in personal information as well as employment information to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at Columbia College Chicago within 10 days to ensure you maintain your visa status.
Here's how to start the process:
Once you have an internship, request approval for your internship at Internship Credit Request
- Please be sure to fill out all information. You must include a start date and an end date along with the complete address (including the postal code of the internship site. I cannot sign incomplete contracts and they will be returned to you for correction if it is sent to me incomplete.
- Once your internship is approved, the career center will send the completed contract to me to sign. If complete, I will sign it and issue your new I-20 for CPT.
- Do not start your internship (especially if it is paid) until you have a new I-20 as it could be considered a violation of your student visa status.