General Policy
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an option only under two conditions:
- The internship/work is a required part of the degree program; or
- The student receives academic credit for their work.
Since internships are not a required part of the MEM or MF curriculum, Nicholas School students must earn academic credit for their internship/fellowship.
Students attending the Nicholas School on the F-1 visa may be eligible for CPT to support short-term employment experiences that add value to their educational experience while they are enrolled in the Nicholas School. CPT may not be used to gain general employment experience in the US; Optional Practical Training (OPT) must be requested if the potential employment is not directly related to their academic studies.
The Nicholas School works closely with the Duke Visa Services Office (DVSO) to ensure that students remain in correct status with regard to their visa; however, it is the student’s responsibility to determine their eligibility and to submit appropriate forms and documentation to support their applications, following the guidelines and policies described below. Review the Duke Visa Services Office website for complete requirements and policies related to CPT and OPT. The Duke Visa Services Office is the final authority regarding all matters related to visa status.
F-1 Summer Curricular Practical Training
Purpose
For F-1 students pursuing the MEM and/or MF degree to request CPT during the summer as part of a value-added educational experience through the Nicholas School, such as an internship/fellowship experience.
Policy
Students attending the Nicholas School on the F-1 visa may be eligible for CPT to support short-term employment experiences that add value to their educational experience while they are enrolled in the Nicholas School, such as a summer internship/fellowship experience. Since internships are not a required part of the MEM or MF curriculum, Nicholas School students must earn academic credit for their internship/fellowship.
Process
1. A student wishing to use CPT for a summer experiential fellowship or employment must complete the DVSO’s 3-Part Curricular Practical Training Application made available on the DVSO website. There are three parts to the form to be completed according to the stated instructions:
- Section 1: to be completed by the student
- Section 2: to be completed by the employer
- Section 3: to be completed by the Nicholas School
2. Bring the completed Sections 1 and 2 along with a blank Section 3 to Assistant Dean Peters. The paperwork will be reviewed and, if all information is in order, Section 3 will be completed. Students should expect to leave the documents and allow 2-3 business days for completion. The student will be notified when the completed paperwork is ready for pick-up.
3. The student must submit the completed 3-Part Curricular Practical Training Application and supporting documentation to the Duke Visa Services Office. Follow the instructions at the DVSO website for submission.
4. Provided all documentation is complete and correct, the student will receive confirmation from the DVSO that CPT has been approved.
5. Students should allow at least one full week for the DVSO to process their application.
6. The student must contact the NSOE registrar to enroll in ENVIRON 893 (non-Stanback Fellowship experiences) or ENVIRON 895 (Stanback Fellowship experiences) in order to get the academic credit required for CPT. The NSOE registrar will need to request course enrollment on behalf of the student.
7. The student cannot begin work until DVSO has approved CPT.
In-Semester F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request
Purpose
For F-1 students pursuing the MEM and/or MF degree to request CPT during the semester through the Nicholas School.
Policy
In general, CPT is intended for students wishing to have a summer experience; it is not appropriate just to gain work experience. Students on an F-1 visa who wish to request CPT for work completed in association with their master’s degree program during the academic semester must satisfy one of the following conditions:
- A student may submit a CPT request for a specified period of time to complete unfinished work remaining from their summer internship/fellowship experience. A letter of support from the employer will be required. If approved, the student will be enrolled in a 1-credit course that does not count in the 48-credit minimum towards the degree.
- A student may submit a CPT request during the academic semester if the work is directly related to the student’s master’s project (MP) and the MP advisor supports it in writing. Student would register for MP credits (ENV 899) during the applicable semester(s).
Process
1. The student must download, complete and submit the NSOE Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form (link below), being sure to review the acknowledgement and sign. If requesting CPT for work directly related to the MP, faculty signature is also required.
2. The student must also complete the DVSO’s 3-Part Curricular Practical Training Application made available on the DVSO website. There are three parts to the form to be completed according to the stated instructions:
- Section 1: to be completed by the student
- Section 2: to be completed by the employer (note that the letter required for the NSOE request form can also meet the employer letter requirement for Section 2).
- Section 3: to be completed by the Nicholas School
3. The student must bring the signed NSOE Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form AND completed Sections 1 and 2 along with a blank Section 3 of the DVSO’s 3-Part Curricular Practical Training Application to Assistant Dean Peters, along with any supporting documentation. The paperwork will be reviewed and, if all information is in order, Section 3 will be completed. Students should expect to leave the documents and allow 2-3 business days for completion. The student will be notified when the completed paperwork is ready for pick-up.
4. The student must submit the completed 3-Part Curricular Practical Training Application and supporting documentation to the Duke Visa Services Office. Follow the instructions at the DVSO website for submission.
5. The Nicholas School will maintain a copy of the signed Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form.
6. Provided all documentation is complete and correct, the student will receive confirmation from the DVSO that CPT has been approved.
7. Students should allow at least one full week for the DVSO to process their application.
8. The student must contact the NSOE registrar to enroll in ENVIRON 893 or ENVIRON 899, as appropriate, in order to get the academic credit required for CPT. The NSOE registrar will need to request course enrollment on behalf of the student. The student cannot begin work until DVSO has approved CPT.
9. The student cannot begin work until DVSO has approved CPT.
Contacts
Nicholas School contact for CPT and OPT matters:
Assistant Dean Cynthia Peters
NSOE Student Services
A101B LSRC
petersca@duke.edu
919-613-8071
Duke Visa Services Office contact for all visa matters:
Mr. Dylan Sugiyama
Associate Director, Duke Visa Services Office
1st Floor, Bay 7, Smith Warehouse
dylan.sugiyama@duke.edu
919-613-5094
Form
NSOE Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form (PDF)