You may request authorization for part-time or full-time CPT. At all times, you must continue to make satisfactory progress toward completing your degree program. Satisfactory progress is defined by each school/college or department. Definitions can be found in the UW–Madison Guide.
Remember, you are required to maintain valid F-1 status, including full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters. This means you must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during fall and winter terms. As an F-1 student, your primary purpose in the U.S. is to earn a degree. CPT is a benefit of maintaining your F-1 status, so it is important to prioritize your studies. If you are considering full-time CPT, please understand its likely impact on your academic progress and proceed cautiously. You should also ask permission from your academic/faculty advisor or graduate coordinator.
Some courses frequently used for CPT count as full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters:
| wdt_ID | College of Business | College of Engineering | Dissertator | “Coursework Completed” Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GB 451 & 751 | ECS co-op | Dissertator research credits | Approved ISS RCL for “Coursework Completed” |
Talk to your academic/faculty advisor and a career advisor in your school or college for possible CPT course enrollment and permission to enroll. Common CPT courses include:
| College of Agricultural & Life Sciences | wdt_ID | College of Letters & Science | College of Business | College of Engineering | Dissertator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departmental 399 Course | 1 | Inter LS 260 | GB 450, 451, 750, 751 | ECS co-op | Dissertator research credits |
| 3 | |||||
| Inter-Ag 340 | 4 | ||||
| 5 |
Enrollment in directed/independent study courses for practical training experiences should have a written plan of study and should be no more than 3 credits, unless you are a graduate student who has completed all coursework requirements and has an approved ISS Reduced Course Load (RCL)- coursework completed. Undergraduates must follow UW-Madison policy for directed/independent study enrollment.