Hello All,
I am in great need of information about CPT. Currently, I am a Master student. I applied for
a job and got a job interview. I will be graduating on December of 2014.Since, I am a student I would not be able to work without having a CPT. But how long can a person have a CPT for? What are the criteria when you apply for CPT? Does it mean you should be going to school and taking classes while in CPT? Does CPT working hours limitation changes as per the semester?
I talked with my international advisors in school but got more confuse in this issue. Anyone having information on CPT would be a great help? What do you guys suggest? Any ideas any information would really be helpful. Thank you.

I went through this and can help you with the information. You can work full time ( 40 hours or greater than 20 hours/week) during summer. Since , you are graduating in the fall 2014, and if you are taking less than 9 credits, you still can work full time (greater than 20 hours/week). You need to get done with the college work before you start working. Get approval from the department dean, and make sure , the work area field is related with your major.
Cpt can be full time and part time, Full time during breaks or when school is not in session and part time when school is in session.
Part time CPT doesn't affect your OPT but more than 12 months of full time of CPT will void your OPT. So, make sure, you wont be working more than 12 months of full time CPT. Since you are graduating this december and if you are taking less than 9 credits this fall, you can work full time until december. And , you can file opt on september and again start working with the same company after you graduate under OPT.

Let me know if you need more information. I have one blog regarding this CPT info as well. You might want to check that as well.

Good Luck.

Thank you.
Here is my situation. I applied for a full time employment and got an interview. I am taking 2 classes in the summer. And two in the Fall. I am graduating in Fall 2014 as I mentioned earlier.
Now, the issue is when I went to my department dean they told me they cannot do it since it is not required for my graduation. But I am confuse in this matter. The form international advisor gave me is named CPT Recommendation form. I am trying to fix this issue with my department dean and international advisors. My department dean said he cannot do that since its a full time employment and not an internship. I am in a situation where I need to take proof in front of them and let them know I have this information. Did you do internship or full time employment opportunities? What was your situation? I will be waiting for your response.
Thanks again.

Did you get the job ? If yes, talk with your company. They can make you work like intern till December and then make you a full time from December.

I did Intern/Co-Op. Full time during summer and part time during the semester. Department dean don't know much , you need to convince him/her. Take that CPT form to the Dean and mention that, its a Curriculum Practical Training where international students can work and study together if the work area is related with the major.
Its a full time since its summer, so its not a big deal.
Or what you can do is :
Tell the employer to write another offer letter mentioning that specific word " Intern" position. Mention that, you will be working full time, but this stupid dean is not letting you sign the form. And, you will be all set to go.

But, remember, Dont let intl student know that , you are taking classes in the summer and working full time. I don't think so , you can work full time when you have classes in the summer. But, I guess, 2 classes should be fine.

However, since you are taking only 2 classes in the fall, you can still work full time since its a final semester of graduation.

Tell the employer to write another offer letter mentioning that specific word "intern" although you will be full time through out the year. They should be ok to do that.

Good Luck.