Are you an international student looking for the top CPT programs in the US? This guide enumerates some of the best Day 1 CPT programs that allow graduate-level students to start working on their first day. This program is legal and provides students with additional time to apply for H1B petitions if they were not selected in previous years.
You can choose from universities on the West Coast, Central America, or the East Coast. These universities offer programs ranging from Masters’s to Doctoral degrees in various fields. The program is usually a hybrid format, which allows you to balance work and academics.
Some of these top CPT programs require physical attendance on weekends, once a semester, or once a month.
1. Westcliff University CPT Program
Westcliff University's Day 1 CPT Programs are structured around three semesters in a year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. International students must register for at least two courses (6 credits), including one online and one hybrid course, in each semester.
Depending on their location, students must attend on-site classes once a week (weekday evenings) if they live within 50 miles of the Irvine Campus or once every semester (weekend - Friday/Saturday/Sunday) if they live farther away.
Because of Engage Week, all students are allowed to attend onsite courses once per semester and 3 times a year.
2. Monroe College CPT Program
The King Graduate School at Monroe College offers a Professional Experience Track for MBA, MPH, MPA, and MS students who need additional professional work experience. Enrollment in this track may be required at the discretion of the admissions committee and/or Dean of the King Graduate School, based on a review of the student's academic and professional background.
Students can pursue this track and a concentration of their choice, but they are required to complete a Graduate Professional Development or Graduate Professional Experience courseas well as two internship credits, in addition to core and elective/concentration courses.
The Dean of King Graduate School must approve each internship opportunity as appropriate for the student's academic program. Students may petition a Dean of King Graduate School to waive the professional experience track if necessary.
3. Sofia University CPT Program
Sofia University allows students who have completed three consecutive quarters in their degree program to participate in an internship course that provides practical experience related to their academic program. Transfer F1 students may have this requirement waived. International students must first apply for work authorization before starting paid or unpaid work.
These are just three of the many top CPT programs available. If you want to learn more, contact us here at CPTDog. We work with trusted Day 1 CPT universities that provide valuable CPT and internship opportunities for graduate students. Contact us today for exclusive benefits like GoElite scholarships, application fee waivers, and expedited processing.
