Bryant University. The Character of Success

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING

This information is designed for Bryant University international students in F-1 status.

Employment

To be considered for curricular practical training, the work must not only be related to your major field of study, but must also be an integral part of your studies. Training which is required for all students by your degree program always meets the requirements for curricular practical training, regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for your work. Training which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for curricular practical training if you receive academic credit for the employment experience and if it is an important part of your studies. If you have a training/internship opportunity which involves employment, you must check with the Intercultural Center (ICC) to determine whether it qualifies as curricular practical training.

Eligibility

There are two ways in which you can become eligible for curricular practical training. The employment must be a required part of your academic program, or if it is not required you must arrange to receive academic credit for the experience. The information below describes requirements from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Please be advised that only option two (2) applies to Bryant University International Students.

1) Employment which is a required part of your degree program

According to the USCIS regulations, undergraduate students must have completed one year (fall and spring semesters) of full-time study in order to be eligible for any form of curricular practical training. First Year Students are not eligible for curricular practical training. Graduate students may apply for curricular practical training prior to completing one year of full-time study if the degree program requires that the training begin in the first semester of school. Three USCIS requirements must be met for you to work in a job that is a required part of your study program:

  • Have an appropriate job offer
  • Maintain lawful F-1 visa status
  • Demonstrate that the proposed employment is a requirement for your degree program

2) Employment which is not required, but is for academic credit

Curricular practical training for credit could include training courses such as a field studies or an internship. Under USCIS stipulations, four requirements must be met to be eligible for employment for an academic internship

  • Have an appropriate job offer
  • Maintain lawful F-1 visa status
  • Complete at least one academic year (fall and spring semesters) as a full-time student
  • Demonstrate that you will receive academic credit for the proposed employment

If you are interested in academic internships, there are guidelines within Bryant University and you must consult with the Amica Center for Career Education or the Academic Advising Office.

Bryant University Undergraduate students must:

Complete a minimum of 64 credits, have a minimum overall GPA of 2.0; unless he or she is a Finance major which requires a Overall GPA of 2.5, have either junior or senior status, have met the eligibility requirements established by the academic department from which credit is being sought (as found in the course catalogue).

Eligible juniors and seniors may do an elective internship (course 391) in their concentration, minor area of study; or as an open elective with in Business (BUS 391) or Liberal Arts (LA391).

Bryant University Graduate students must:

Seek academic credit as a directed study and should talk directly to The Graduate School advisor, a professor within the Graduate Program, or the Academic Internship Coordinator at the Amica Center for Career Education.

How Much Curricular Practical Training Time Do I Have?

There is no limit to the amount of curricular practical training time a student may have, as long as you continue to meet all of the requirements. You may engage in full-time or part-time curricular practical training. Deciding when and which type of curricular practical training to use is important since students who use more than 12 months of full-time curricular practical training will not be eligible for optional practical training after graduation. For more information, go to: Optional Practical Training After Completion of Studies.

Which Type of Curricular Practical Training is Best for Me?

Part-time curricular practical training:

Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time curricular practical training. The employment authorization on your SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) I-20 should therefore specify permission to engage in “part-time” training and you must be careful to limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week.

Part-time curricular practical training will not affect your optional practical training after graduation.

You must continue to be simultaneously registered as a full-time student making normal progress towards the degree in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

Full-time curricular practical training:

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training and is only permitted during normal vacation periods or after all course work has been completed. The employment authorization on your SEVIS I-20 form should, in this case, specify permission to participate in “full-time” training. You may receive up to twelve months of curricular practical training without affecting any optional practical training available to you after graduation.

While there is no limit to the amount of full-time curricular practical training students may use, if you use more than 12 months of full-time curricular practical training you will not be eligible for practical training after graduation.

You must also continue to be a registered student making normal progress towards the degree in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

Application and Authorization Procedures

Once you are authorized to participate in an internship or field study, you should contact the ICC so that your situation and the proposed employment opportunity can be evaluated. The ICC will examine if you and the job meet the eligibility requirements. When you come to the ICC for your appointment be sure to bring the following documentation:

  • Current I-20 form and I-94 card
  • For Undergraduate students, copy of completed “Academic Internship Enrollment Form” from the Academic   Advising Office.
  • For Graduate students, copy of approved “Directed Independent Study Proposal.”
  • Copy of a letter from an internship supervisor containing (letter must be printed on the company letterhead with its address):
    1. Job description
    2. Start date and end date of employment
    3. Hours to be worked

If all eligibility requirements are met, the ICC will process employment authorization in SEVIS.

Completing paperwork described above alone does not authorize you to work off-campus until you meet with the International Student Advisor who will then complete the employment authorization in SEVIS.

You must be careful not to continue employment beyond the date authorized unless you apply for and are granted an extension of your permission to work.

Employment Eligibility Verification

When you begin work you and your employer must complete a form entitled Employment Eligibility Verification (BCIS form I-9), which the employer retains. You will be required to show that curricular practical training has been authorized on your SEVIS I-20 form. You will also be required to have a social security number. For more information, see the guidelines for obtaining a Social Security Number.