What Are Day 1 CPT Universities?
Day 1 CPT universities, also referred to as "Day 1 CPT Schools," or "Day 1 CPT Colleges" are educational institutions that facilitate Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization from the beginning of their academic programs. Some of them only provides Day 1 CPT programs, others are traditional universities adopted this form of education for few programs they offer.
Are they different from traditional universities?
Yes and No.
Yes:
- Day 1 CPT universities prioritize assisting their students in entering the job market; as such, the programs they offer are more job-oriented than research-oriented.
- Day 1 CPT programs are typically at the master's level.
- They integrate internship opportunities into the curriculum, often leading to a unique set of requirements for F1 international students, such as a reduced on-site presence but a mandatory internship experience.
- Instead of investing heavily in research and competing for research funding, Day 1 CPT universities frequently collaborate with the industry and employ instructors from leading companies. This approach ensures that students stay abreast of industry trends and begin to forge connections within the workforce.
No:
- Several traditional universities are now adopting Day 1 CPT programs. For example, UC Riverside introduced its first Day 1 CPT program, an MS in Business Analytics, in 2024.
- The term "Day 1 CPT universities" is an informal name used by international students in search of Day 1 CPT programs.
- Although Day 1 CPT programs may focus more on practical training than academic research, they still maintain accreditation standards. Any deviation claimed regarding accreditation should be scrutinized.
- Notably, one of the most popular Day 1 CPT universities on the west coast, Westcliff University, shares the same accreditation as UCLA, a well-known traditional university within the UC system.
Who Should Apply to Day 1 CPT Universities
International students or non-immigration visa holders who encounter these situations may consider applying to Day 1 CPT universities:Many international students aspire to remain in the U.S. for work experience post-graduation, but the fluctuating job market can make this challenging. With only 90 days to find employment, the risk of exhausting your OPT unemployment days is real, as is the possibility of being laid off during OPT employment.
In such situations, Day 1 CPT universities offer a viable solution. With flexible enrollment periods, these institutions allow you to pause your job search, further your education, and, once you have a job offer, secure CPT work authorization to continue your career in the US.
If you find yourself here because a family member is on an H1B visa, you may be eligible for an H4 visa. With an H4 visa, you can apply for an EAD card once the primary H1B visa holder begins their green card application process and has their I-140 approved. Having an H4 EAD card allows you the freedom to pursue various job opportunities as your work authorization is independent of your employers. Transitioning between jobs is also simplified with an H4 EAD card. However, obtaining one can be a lengthy process, typically taking 1.5 to 2 years for the H1B visa holder to complete the PERM and I-140 application. Some H4 visa holders who wish to contribute financially to their family or kickstart their career in the US sooner may opt to enroll in Day 1 CPT universities to utilize CPT work authorization and explore internship opportunities while pursuing a US degree simultaneously.
International students often face challenges that domestic students may not encounter, such as the risk of losing their legal status if they are unable to fulfill their student obligations. Adapting to a new environment in the US can be difficult for some international students, leading to a drop in GPA or even expulsion from certain schools. In such situations, students are left with limited time to take action, potentially jeopardizing their studies in the US. Fortunately, Day 1 CPT universities offer multiple intakes throughout the year, providing a valuable option for students seeking to reinstate their I-20 status.
Day 1 CPT Universities
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Day 1 CPT Universities Map
- West
- Midwest
- South
- Northeast
Day 1 CPT Universities on the West Coast
Westcliff University
πLocation: Irvine, CA
ποΈ Programs: MBA (STEM), MSCS (STEM), MSEM(STEM), MSIT (STEM), DBA (STEM), MA TESOL
π° Program Tuition: $28,620οΌMasterοΌ/$51,300 (DBA)
β±οΈ Program Duration: 1- 4 years depending on the program
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / month
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
Sofia University
πLocation: Palo Alto, CA; Cost Mesa, CA
ποΈ Programs: MAB, MSCS (STEM)
π° Program Tuition: $20,280 - $20,450
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2 years
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / month
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Waiver & Referral Bonus Available if apply through CPTDog
CIAM
π Location: Alhambra, CA
ποΈ Programs: MBA
π° Program Tuition: $24,000
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2 years
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Waiver & Referral Bonus Available if apply through CPTDog
University of the Cumberlands
π Location: Kentifield, CA
ποΈ Programs: EMBA, MSIT, MSPM, MSISS, MSAI, MSCE, Ph.D. in IT, Ph.D. in Business, Ph.D. in Leadership, etc
π° Program Tuition: $17,500 - $46200
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20 months - Master | 3-4 years - PhD
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Waiver & Referral Bonus Available if apply through CPTDog
Campbellsville University
π Locations: Lathrop, CAοΌCosta Mesa, CAοΌ
ποΈ Programs: PMBA | IT Management | CS | CS -Cloud Computing | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
π° Program Tuition: $16,500 -$19.800
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20-24 months
πΊ On-Site Visit: 1 weekend / Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Waiver & Referral Bonus Available if apply through CPTDog
Humphreys University
π Location: Stockton, CA
ποΈ Programs: MBA-IT
π° Program Tuition: $21,000
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2.5 years
πΊ On-Site Visit: 1 weekend / Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Wavier
Day 1 CPT Universities in the Midwest
Ottawa University
π Location: Brookfield, WI; Overland Park, KS
ποΈ Programs: MBA, MSBA[STEM], MS-Engineering Management[STEM], MS-Information Studies[STEM]
π° Program Tuition: $17,250
β±οΈ Program Duration: 1-3 years depending on how you arrange courses
πΊ On-Site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Year
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Wavier
Campbellsville University
π Locations: Campbellsville, KY; Louisville, KY; Harrodsburg, KY; Elgin, IL
ποΈ Programs: PMBA | IT Management | CS | CS -Cloud Computing | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
π° Program Tuition: $16,500 -$19.800
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20-24 months
πΊ On-Site Visit: 1 weekend / Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Waiver & Referral Bonus Available if apply through CPTDog
Day 1 CPT Universities in the South
Westcliff University
πLocation: Miami, FL
ποΈ Programs: MBA (STEM), MSCS (STEM), MSEM(STEM), MSIT (STEM), DBA (STEM), MA TESOL
π° Program Tuition: $28,620οΌMasterοΌ/$51,300 (DBA)
β±οΈ Program Duration: 1- 4 years depending on the program
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / month
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
National Louis University
πLocation: Tampa, FL
ποΈ Programs: DBA, MS Business Data Analytics(STEM)
π° Program Tuition: $23,700 - $49,920
β±οΈ Program Duration: 15 months - MSDA | 3.5- 4 years - DBA
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
McDaniel College
πLocation: Westminster, MD
ποΈ Programs: MS Data Analytics
π° Program Tuition: $20,250
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2 years
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Year
DBU
πLocation: Dallas, TX
ποΈ Programs: MS Information Technology and Management [STEM], MS Management [STEM], MBA [STEM],
π° Program Tuition: $20,250
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2 years
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Year
University of the Cumberlands
π Location: Irving, TX
ποΈ Programs: EMBA, MSIT, MSPM, MSISS, MSAI, MSCE, Ph.D. in IT, Ph.D. in Business, Ph.D. in Leadership, etc
π° Program Tuition: $17,500 - $46,200
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20 months - Master | 3-4 years - PhD
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
πΈ Scholarship: Application Fee Waiver & Referral Bonus Available if apply through CPTDog
Day 1 CPT Universities on the East Coast
Monroe College
πLocation: New Rochelle, NY
ποΈ Programs: MBA, MSCS [STEM], MS Data Science [STEM], Data Science Certificate Program
π° Program Tuition: $25,908 - $38,112
β±οΈ Program Duration: 1-2 year
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / month
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
Harrisburg University
πLocation: Harrisburg, PA
ποΈ Programs: MS Analytics, MSCIS, MS Healthcare Informatics, MSPM, Others
π° Program Tuition: $35,880
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2 year
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / month
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Year
New England College
πLocation: Henniker, NH
ποΈ Programs: Executive MSDA, Executive MBA, MSIT, MSPM
π° Program Tuition: $17,952, $19,800
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20 months - 2 years
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / Semester
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
Saint Peter's University
πLocation: Jersey City, NJ
ποΈ Programs: MS Business Analytics, MS Data Science
π° Program Tuition: $25,000 - $28,000
β±οΈ Program Duration: 1-2 year
πΊ On-site Visit: 1 / month
πΉ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
The Most Affordable Day 1 CPT Universities
Campbellsville University
π Locations: Campbellsville, KYοΌLouisville, KYοΌHarrodsburg, KYοΌElgin, ILοΌJacksonville, FLοΌLathrop, CAοΌCosta Mesa, CAοΌ
πΊ Programs: PMBA | IT Management [STEM] | MSCS [STEM] | CS -Cloud Computing [STEM] | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence [STEM] | Masters in Management and Leadership
π° Tuition: $16,500 -$19.800
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20-24 months
πΉ On-Site Visit: 1 weekend / Semester
ποΈ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
New England College
π Location: Henniker, NH
πΊ Programs: Executive MSDA | Executive MBA | MSIT | MSPM
π° Tuition: $17,952-$19,800 / Program
β±οΈ Program Duration: 20 Months - 2 years
πΉ On-site Visit: 3 days of onsite classes every semester (usually on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
ποΈ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
University of the Potomac
π Location: Washington D.C; VA
πΊ Programs: MBA|MSAC|MSEd|MHA| MSCS [STEM]|MSDA[STEM] |MSIT [STEM] | MSGIT [STEM] |DBA |DCS | EdD
π° Tuition: $22,250 - $35,520 / Program
β±οΈ Program Duration: 2 years for Masterβs; 3-4 years for doctoral programs.
πΉ On-site Visit: bi-weekly
ποΈ CPT Renewal: Every Semester
Day 1 CPT Enrollment Windows
* Filter is set based on Program Start Date
CIAM - Jan
- Program Start: 1/4/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/4/2025
- Application DDL: 12/4/2024
Westcliff University - Jan
- Program Start: 1/6/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/6/2025
- Application DDL: 12/6/2024
New England College - Jan
- Program Start: 1/6/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/6/2025
- Application DDL: 12/6/2024
Monroe College - Jan
- Program Start: 1/5/2024
- CPT Start Date: 1/5/2024
- Application DDL: 12/5/2023
National Louis University - Jan
MS Business Data Analytics- Program Start: 1/13/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/13/2025
- Application DDL: 12/13/2024
McDaniel University - Jan
- Program Start: 1/16/2024
- CPT Start Date: 1/16/2024
- Application DDL: 1/9/2024
Harrisburg University - Jan
- Program Start: 1/4/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/4/2025
- Application DDL: 12/4/2024
National Louis University - Jan
DBA Program- Program Start: 1/10/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/10/2025
- Application DDL: 12/10/2024
University of the Potomac - Jan
- Program Start: 1/6/2025
- CPT Start Date: 1/6/2025
- Application DDL: 12/6/2024
CIAM - Feb
- Program Start: 2/15/2025
- CPT Start Date: 2/15/2025
- Application DDL: 1/15/2025
Saint Peter's University - Feb
- Program Start: 2/26/2024
- CPT Start Date: 2/26/2024
- Application DDL: 1/26/2024
New England College - Mar
- Program Start: 3/17/2025
- CPT Start Date: 3/17/2025
- Application DDL: 2/17/2025
Westcliff University - Mar
- Program Start: 3/3/2025
- CPT Start Date: 3/3/2025
- Application DDL: 2/3/2025
Harrisburg University - Mar
- Program Start: 3/3/2025
- CPT Start Date: 3/3/2025
- Application DDL: 2/3/2025
University of the Potomac - Mar
- Program Start: 3/3/2025
- CPT Start Date: 3/3/2025
- Application DDL: 2/3/2025
Monroe College - Apr
- Program Start: 4/16/2024
- CPT Start Date: 4/26/2024
- Application DDL: 3/26/2023
Sofia University - Apr
- Program Start: 4/7/2025
- CPT Start Date: 4/7/2025
- Application DDL: 3/7/2025
University of the Potomac - Apr
- Program Start: 4/28/2025
- CPT Start Date: 4/28/2025
- Application DDL: 3/28/2025
Westcliff University - May
- Program Start: 5/6/2024
- CPT Start Date: 5/6/2024
- Application DDL: 3/25/2024
National Louis University - May
DBA Program- Program Start: 5/9/2024
- CPT Start Date: 5/9/2024
- Application DDL: 4/9/2024
New England College - May
- Program Start: 5/5/2025
- CPT Start Date: 5/5/2025
- Application DDL: 4/5/2025
Saint Peter's University - May
- Program Start: 5/20/2024
- CPT Start Date: 5/20/2024
- Application DDL: 4/1/2024
Harrisburg University - May
- Program Start: 5/3/2025
- CPT Start Date: 5/3/2025
- Application DDL: 4/3/2025
Westcliff University - Jun
- Program Start: 7/1/2024
- CPT Start Date: 7/1/2024
- Application DDL: 6/1/2024
Harrisburg University - Jun
- Program Start: 6/30/2025
- CPT Start Date: 6/30/2025
- Application DDL: 5/30/2025
Harrisburg University - Jul
- Program Start: 7/17/2024
- CPT Start Date: 7/17/2024
- Application DDL: 6/17/2024
New England College - Jul
- Program Start: 7/15/2024
- CPT Start Date: 7/15/2024
- Application DDL: 6/15/2024
Saint Peter's University - Jul
- Program Start: 7/1/2024
- CPT Start Date: 7/1/2024
- Application DDL: 6/1/2024
Sofia University - Jul
- Program Start: 7/1/2024
- CPT Start Date: 7/1/2024
- Application DDL: 6/1/2024
Humphreys University - Jul
- Program Start: 7/1/2024
- CPT Start Date: 6/1/2024
- Application DDL: 6/2/2024
University of the Potomac - Jul
- Program Start: 7/1/2024
- CPT Start Date: 7/1/2024
- Application DDL: 6/1/2024
National Louis University - Aug
DBA Program- Program Start: 8/23/2024
- CPT Start Date: 8/23/2024
- Application DDL: 7/23/2024
CIAM - Aug
- Program Start: 8/31/2025
- CPT Start Date: 8/31/2025
- Application DDL: 7/31/2024
Ottawa University - Aug
- Program Start: 8/23/2024
- CPT Start Date: 8/23/2024
- Application DDL: 7/23/2024
Harrisburg University - Aug
- Program Start: 8/24/2024
- CPT Start Date: 8/24/2024
- Application DDL: 7/24/2024
McDaneil College - Aug
- Program Start: 8/26/2025
- CPT Start Date: 8/26/2025
- Application DDL: 7/26/2025
Westcliff University - Sep
- Program Start: 9/3/2024
- CPT Start Date: 9/3/2024
- Application DDL: 8/3/2024
National Louis University - Sep
MS Business Data Analytics- Program Start: 9/23/2024
- CPT Start Date: 9/23/2024
- Application DDL: 8/23/2024
Monroe College - Sep
- Program Start: 9/6/2024
- CPT Start Date: 9/6/2024
- Application DDL: 8/6/2023
New England College - Sep
- Program Start: 9/3/2024
- CPT Start Date: 9/3/2024
- Application DDL: 8/3/2024
University of the Potomac - Sep
- Program Start: 9/3/2024
- CPT Start Date: 9/3/2024
- Application DDL: 8/3/2024
Sofia University - Sep
- Program Start: 9/30/2025
- CPT Start Date: 9/30/2025
- Application DDL: 8/30/2024
Humphreys University - Sep
- Program Start: 9/30/2024
- CPT Start Date: 9/30/2024
- Application DDL: 8/28/2024
CIAM - Oct
- Program Start: 10/12/2024
- CPT Start Date: 10/12/2024
- Application DDL: 9/12/2024
Westcliff University - Oct
- Program Start: 10/28/2024
- CPT Start Date: 10/28/2024
- Application DDL: 9/28/2024
Harrisburg University - Oct
- Program Start: 10/21/2024
- CPT Start Date: 10/21/2024
- Application DDL: 9/21/2024
Ottawa University - Oct
- Program Start: 10/18/2024
- CPT Start Date: 10/18/2024
- Application DDL: 9/18/2025
University of the Potomac - Oct
- Program Start: 10/28/2024
- CPT Start Date: 10/28/2024
- Application DDL: 9/28/2024
New England College - Nov
- Program Start: 11/12/2024
- CPT Start Date: 11/12/2024
- Application DDL: 10/12/2024