Day 1 CPT is popular among international students thanks to the benefits the program provides. In addition to gaining work experience, you will be able to build a professional network and earn money in the United States. But before applying for the program, make sure you know the basic principle of picking the right Day 1 CPT major to avoid future RFE.
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Day 1 CPT universities have become a cornerstone for international students aiming to integrate education with practical work experience right from the start. These programs, often referred to as Day 1 CPT courses, not only enable students to gain valuable work experience but also to earn while studying in the United States. However, the key to maximizing the benefits of Day 1 CPT lies in selecting the right major, a decision that should be guided by three core principles.
Core Principles for Selecting Your Day 1 CPT Major
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Seek a Program Divergent from Your Previous Degree: Opt for a Day 1 CPT program that offers a new perspective or skill set, distinctly different from what you've previously studied. This diversification can broaden your knowledge base and enhance your employability.
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Align with Your Career Goals: Ensure the Day 1 CPT program closely matches your professional aspirations or Juris Doctor (JD) if you're pursuing a career in law. The closer the alignment, the more relevant and beneficial the work experience will be to your future career.
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Aim for a Higher Academic Level: Ideally, the Day 1 CPT program should be a step up from your last completed degree, pushing you into higher academic and professional realms. Whether moving from a bachelor’s to a master’s or from a master’s to a doctoral program, advancing academically can open more doors and offer greater opportunities.
Day 1 CPT Major Based on Occupations
Management
If your job description is related to management, opting for an MBA can be a wise decision. The H1B visa is designated for foreign workers with "special skills." To avoid a Request for Evidence (RFE) due to "occupation specificity," which is a frequent cause for H1B RFEs, we strongly recommend choosing an MBA with a focused concentration.
If you are interested in have a degree from a STEM program, Westcliff University is the only Day 1 CPT university in the U.S. offers STEM MBA that supports CPT from the first day of the program. If you are on a budget, consider NEC or CIAM. If you've already has a MBA before, you may consider to go "further up" to have a DBA program instead. Currently , Westcliff University and National Louis University has DBA programs.
Westcliff University
- Master of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Engineering Management (STEM)
Ottawa University
- Executive Master of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration
CIAM
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Master of Business Administration
Monroe College
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Master of Business Administration
New England College
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Executive Master of Business Administration
Humphreys University
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Information Technology (STEM)
National Louis University
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Doctor of Business Administration
Data Related/Business Analytics
If your job involves data analysis, and you haven't previously earned a master's degree in a related field, here are the top Day 1 CPT programs suited to your needs. For those who already hold a degree in Data or Business Analytics, transitioning to an MBA could be a beneficial next step.
Westcliff University
- Master of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration
Ottawa University
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Executive Master of Business Administration
California Institute of Advanced Management
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Master of Business Administration
Monroe College
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Data Science (STEM)
- Data Science Certificate
McDaniel College
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Master of Science in Data Analytics
Saint Peter's University
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Master of Science in Data Science
New England College
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Data Science and Analytics, Executive M.S.
Harrisburg University
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Master of Science in Analytics (STEM)
IT - Information Technology
If your current job or your future job is related to IT, these are the Day 1 CPT options for you:
Westcliff University
- Master of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Information Technology
Ottawa University
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Executive Master of Business Administration
Monroe College
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Master of Business Administration
New England College
- Information Technology & Cybersecurity, Executive M.S.
- Information Technology & Project Management, Executive M.S.
Humphreys University
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Master of Business Administration
Harrisburg University
- Information Systems Engineering and Management, M.S. (STEM)
- Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management, M.S. (STEM)
- Techpreneurship, M.S. (STEM)
CS - Computer Science
If you are a software developer, these are the perfect Day 1 CPT programs for you, assumably that you haven't had a master's degree in CS before.
Westcliff University
- Master of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Computer Science
Sofia University
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Master of Science in Computer Science (STEM)
Ottawa University
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Executive Master of Business Administration
Monroe College
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Master of Science in Computer Science (STEM)
Harrisburg University
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Computer Information Sciences, M.S. (STEM)
Others
Talk to one of our consultant, let them pick the most suitable Day 1 CPT program for you. All of our consultant are free.
Day 1 CPT Majors overview
Why does choosing your Day 1 CPT major matter? Your CPT major will not only dictate your career path but also allow you to meet the program’s requirements. This is because CPT students are expected to work in an area that is related to their field of study.
For example, if you are taking up anMS degree program in Data Science, you must work in data science, data analysis, machine learning, and other relevant roles.
With that said, how do you choose the best CPT major?
Map out your study plan
Generally, CPT students proceed to a master’s program after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. If you already have a master’s degree, you may consider enrolling in a doctoral program.
But what if you have a master’s degree in one field and want to pursue another? In this case, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may scrutinize your CPT application more attentively. You may be asked to provide extra evidenceexplaining why you are taking up another master’s program after graduating from one.
You can avoid this by applying for an MBA or DBA program instead, which both prefer you have prior work experience.
Choose an accredited school
Your university must be accredited and offer a CPT degree program for your chosen major. For example, the University of North America offers Master’s programs in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cyber Security, while New England College has an MS in Data Analytics.
You can find more information about accredited CPT universities online, ensuring that you choose the right path.
