Dr. William:

I am a F-1 international student in a college, please let me know that if I have a Curricular Practical Training during my study, do I still have Optional Practical Training of one year after my graduation? 

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A:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is  work / study, internship, or required internship or practicum that is an integral part of an  established curriculum. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month period following graduation which enables the F-1 student to obtain permission to work in an area directly related to the field of study. 

If a student has received a year or more of full-time CPT, she/he then is ineligible for post-completion practical training of OPT. Here, part-time practical training is defined as 20 hours per week or less. Full time is any work over 20 hours per week. Thus, a person has completed a year of full-time CPT if she/he works 20 or more hours per week for a year. In that event, she/he will not be eligible for OPT.