For many international students in the U.S., master’s programs provide valuable work experience and a potential path to remain in America. One of the opportunities these programs offer is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), particularly Day 1 CPT, allowing students to engage in real-world work scenarios from the start of their academic journey.

However, with the increasing popularity of Day 1 CPT in master’s programs, there have been concerns about its legitimacy. Some question the credibility of universities offering full-time CPT from day one. If these programs are as beneficial as they seem, why haven’t prestigious Ivy League institutions adopted this approach?

The Controversy & The Rumor Mill

While many universities promote the benefits of such programs, recent news about a “blacklist of Day 1 CPT universities” has raised concerns. The main issue is whether these universities are following USCIS regulations.

In 2019, the arrest of individuals associated with the fictitious University of Farmington in Michigan shed light on the misuse of Day 1 CPT. This ‘university’ offered CPT enrollment without academic requirements, leading to visa fraud charges.

The University of Farmington case was part of a larger investigation targeting CPT system misuse. Following this, rumors emerged about a blacklist of Day 1 CPT universities. Recently, claims surfaced on social media about USCIS singling out graduates from certain institutions for additional evidence during OPT applications or H1B visa approvals.

One of the universities mentioned in these rumors, Campbellsville University, denied the existence of such a blacklist. They stated their record for FY 2023 and emphasized their commitment to compliance. We have posted Campbellsville University’s official response on this matter.”

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The Broader Context: Understanding CPT

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is legitimate and has been a valuable tool for international students. However, like all good opportunities, it is susceptible to misuse. The original intention of incorporating CPT in a program, especially graduate-level programs is to allow adult students to work in their field of study and gain practical experience, which can be invaluable in a competitive job market.

For many international students, particularly those without a local network or prior work experience in the U.S., building a career in this economy can be challenging. Programs that allow students to gain “work experience” before graduating can serve as a lifeline.

However, some institutions might exploit immigrants’ unfamiliarity with the U.S. educational and immigration systems, as well as their eagerness to land a job after graduation, enticing them with false promises.

While Day 1 CPT in itself isn’t unlawful, its abuse certainly is. How can you spot these deceptive practices and avoid falling victim to them?

Firstly, remember that if something appears too good to be true, it probably isn’t. CPT is available to international students, but it comes with restrictions and is not accessible to everyone. Be cautious of schools that don’t require any prerequisites yet promise to grant you work authorizations with ease; these institutions are likely engaging in fraudulent practices.

Conduct a self-diagnosis to determine your eligibility for CPT or Day 1 CPT:

What Makes You Qualified for Using CPT?

First and foremost, as an international student who relies on F-1 status (also referred to as the F1 visa), it is crucial for you to understand that this type of non-immigrant status is granted only to FULL-TIME students. CPT is also only a benefit for FULL-TIME students.

USCIS has a somewhat clear definition for what they consider as legitimate FULL-TIME students. Each higher education institute also has its own guidelines. Overall they fall into these basic requirements:

Credit Requirements:

• Undergraduate Students: Must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester.
• Graduate Students: Due to more concentrated courses and possible research or internships, the credit requirement is lower. Full-time graduate students typically need to enroll in 9 credits per semester to be considered full-time. However, the final interpretation lies with the school. Some schools define full-time students as those enrolled in at least 6 credits.

On-Site Requirements:

• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) stipulates that F1 visa undergraduate and graduate students can take only one fully online course per semester. All other courses must be in a hybrid format or fully on-site.
• Attendance frequency for on-site courses depends on the school’s regulations. Some schools require physical attendance for every class, while others might require attendance once a month or once a semester.

Academic Performance:

• Students must maintain good academic performance. Their student status might be revoked if:
  • GPA falls below the minimum requirement. Typically, undergraduates need a GPA of 2.0 or above, and graduates should maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Unable to complete the course as expected. Most schools have a maximum duration to complete a program. Failure to complete within this timeframe can result in loss of student status.
  • Accusations of plagiarism, cheating, or other academic misconduct. Multiple instances can lead to expulsion.

Other Points to Note:

• Leaving school for 5 months or more: This is considered an automatic forfeiture of F1 status.
• Illegal work: F1 students can legally work in the U.S. by applying for CPT or OPT. Both have specific requirements. Failure to meet them can result in suspension of work permits and potential revocation of F1 status.
• Not adhering to the end date: The I-20 form has an end date. In most cases, students must leave the U.S. before this date unless they’ve applied and been approved for an extension or change of visa status.
• Not maintaining a valid passport during study
• Transferring without transferring SEVIS: Before the student status expires, contact the International Office to transfer SEVIS from the current school to the new one. The transfer process varies by school, typically taking 1-2 weeks. After the transfer, you’ll usually receive a SEVIS transfer notification from the original school.
• Not registering before the start of school: After confirming enrollment, students must submit a registration form and fee before the first semester. Each school has a registration deadline. Missing this deadline might prevent enrollment.
• Not updating the school with important information: Notify the school’s International Office and update them promptly if there are changes in address, phone number, or other basic information.
• Serious misconduct: Involving violence, illegal possession and use of firearms, and other criminal activities.

If you violate or are unable to fulfill any of the above points, you will lose your F1 status, which means you can’t use CPT. In other words, if any of the universities you consulted with told you that you don’t have to fulfill all of these requirements, should immediately raise a red flag. CPT, day 1 or not, should be used and proceed under strict supervision to ensure its legitimacy.

The fake university we mentioned earlier, the University of Farmington, allegedly told prospective students that they didn’t need to attend any classes on-site. As a matter of fact, the university doesn’t even have a physical campus.

If you had equipped yourself with these knowledge points, you would not have fallen for their empty promises and would have recognized them as either fraudulent or entrapment.

Alright, now that you understand that being a FULL-TIME student is a prerequisite for using CPT, and you’re familiar with the requirements of being a full-time student, let’s delve into the specific requirements related to CPT itself.

Diverse Types of CPT

CPT is categorized into three main types:

1. Degree-based CPT: This type necessitates that all students enrolled in a specific degree program undergo an internship. This is a prerequisite to finalize their coursework and subsequently earn their degree.
2. Course-based CPT: This offers dual pathways. Students registered in a particular course can either achieve a grade via employment or devise their unique research project centered on employment.
3. Cooperative CPT: This is granted when employment forms a segment of a formal cooperative educational pact between the academic department and a designated employer.

CPT and Day 1 CPT Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for any form of CPT, the following criteria must be met:

• Possession of a valid and active F1 status
• Selection of a major. Enrollment for course credit.
• Enrollment for 1 to 2 units of a major-related internship, which should be an essential component of the student’s course prerequisites.
• Having a CPT job offer before submitting a CPT authorization request.
• If you are an initial student, under most circumstances you cannot use “Day 1 CPT”, you have to study at your program for at least 9-11 months before applying for CPT. Few programs allow initial students to use CPT at the beginning of the program due to its design. They are not

Why High-Ranked Universities Don’t Provide Day 1 CPT Option?

If CPT or Day 1 CPT is so advantageous, why do many U.S. universities limit F1 students from participating in internships during their early semesters? The USCIS manual grants universities the autonomy to decide whether their students can or should engage in CPT. While prestigious universities do offer CPT options, they typically don’t start on Day 1 for several reasons:

Student Enrollment Patterns

Many prestigious U.S. universities enroll a greater number of incoming students than transfer students. According to USCIS guidelines, F1 students who have been enrolled full-time in a SEVIS-approved institution for one full academic year (typically 9-11 months) may be authorized for practical training.

Since these renowned universities accept more new students from abroad and fewer transfer students who have previously studied in the United States, they have little motivation to create a curriculum that starts CPT on Day 1.

Traditional Universities vs. Day 1 CPT Universities

Day 1 CPT universities prioritize practical application over academic theory, while traditional universities lean towards the latter. Individuals who enroll in traditional universities typically have dual aspirations for their future: while some aim to join the workforce post-graduation, others aspire to continue their academic pursuits and delve into research.

As a traditional university, it must cater to the demands of both these demographics. However, at Day 1 CPT universities, the institute’s focus and its students’ objectives are clearly aligned: to acquire legal status and practical skills while earning a degree.

Day 1 CPT universities offer a sanctuary for individuals unable to secure an H1B visa but still desiring to gain legitimate work experience in the U.S. Through Day 1 CPT programs, they’ve connected with potential employers eager to sponsor their H1B or even Green Card applications, allowing them to remain in the U.S., advance their academic pursuits, and earn through full-time internships.

Which Accredited Universities in the U.S. Provide Day 1 CPT Option?

When considering education and visas, there exist particular guidelines, practices, and procedures regarding the offering of CPT. Some universities in the USA permit F1 students to begin their CPT either on or shortly after their first day. These institutions include:

• University of the Cumberlands, multiple locations
• Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Kentucky
• Knowledge Systems Institute, Saint Skokie, Illinois
• University/Minnesota School of Business, Blaine, Minnesota
• New England College, Henniker, New Hampshire
• Monroe College, New York, New York
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• CIAM- California Institute of Advanced Management, Alhambra, California
• Westcliff University, Irvine, California
• Sofia University, Cost Mesa, California
• Trine University, Phoenix, AZ

It’s essential to emphasize that this list is constructed from reader submissions. Thus, we suggest double-checking with the respective university or arranging a complimentary consultation with our experts before making any final decisions.

How to Choose Day 1 CPT Universities?

Accreditations:

Not all accreditations are created equal. Once in a while, you will hear news about certain “accredited” universities getting disqualified by the Educational Bureau or red-flagged by USCIS, for example, the ACICS scandal. So, the million-dollar question is which accreditations are reliable.

Here is the list:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education（MSCHE）
• New England Commission of Higher Education（NECHE
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities（NWCCU
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCACS)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges（WASC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools（SACS）

If the university you chose has one of these accreditations, it usually means that they have a long-standing record of being legit and have a great reputation with USCIS. Students who graduated from these universities face a low RFE rate when applying for H1B.

The most popular accredited day 1 CPT universities:

• Westcliff University (California & Florida)
• Monroe College (New York)
• Trine University (Michigan & Arizona)
• Harrisburg University（Pennsylvania)

Choose your Day 1 CPT major wisely:

Avoid choosing a program too similar to your previous one, as this is often overlooked by many students. For instance, a student with an MS in Data Science enrolled in another master’s program – an MS in Data Analytics – solely to utilize its CPT opportunities without genuine intent to study. However, the USCIS detected this, leading to a Request for Evidence (RFE) during his H1B application process.

Popular MBA Programs (support day 1 CPT):

• MBA @ Westcliff University
• MBA @ Monroe College
• MBA @ Trine University
• MBA @ CIAM

Popular doctoral-level Programs (support day 1 CPT):

• DBA @ Westcliff University
• DBA @ National Louis University
• PhD @ Sullivan University
• EdD @ Westcliff University

It goes without saying that the major you choose must have some relevance to your current job. Otherwise, you’ll have a difficult time when applying to a CPT at any of the day 1 CPT universities.

CPT Policy

Certain Day 1 CPT universities offer more flexible policies. For instance, instead of a CPT agreement, you can utilize an offer letter. Another aspect to consider is the frequency of CPT renewal. Each Day 1 CPT university establishes its own policies for CPT renewal. Some universities mandate renewing your CPT I-20 before the commencement of each semester, while others only necessitate annual renewal. Renewing your CPT I-20 is vital for maintaining your right to work in the U.S.

Location

Location is a vital factor when selecting Day 1 CPT universities. With the pandemic winding down, many universities are returning to in-person teaching. As an F1 student, you must attend classes regularly and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. If you pursue an internship concurrently, the last thing you want is to waste time and effort on transportation. Choosing a Day 1 CPT university closer to your desired internship site is more crucial than you might think.

Non-Profit vs For-Profit

If this is your first master’s degree, we highly recommend you choose a program from a non-profit university to be qualified for the “20,000 master-cap H1B” application. However, if this is your second master, it doesn’t make too much of a difference.