Day 1 CPT - PhD & Doctoral Programs

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is a benefit associated with F1 student visa, given by USCIS. It is form of work authorization which allows F-1 students to gain off-campus work experience in their field of study while pursuing their degree. CPT is not available after completing a degree program, only during. Using 12 months or more of full-time CPT forfeits Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility but can lead to increased scrutiny from DHS. High CPT usage has led to more Requests for Evidence (RFE) for STEM OPT and H1B applications. CPT should be an academic experience, not for ongoing off-campus work. Students should keep all CPT records and related academic work for future OPT applications.

In most cases, international F1 students must study for at least one academic year (approximately 11 months) on a program before eligible for CPT. Day 1 CPT, however, allows students to apply for CPT work authorization on the first day of their program. This exemption, though rare, aligns with USCIS guidance depending on the program's design. Only a few schools offer such programs, typically requiring students to have previously studied in the US and to have a valid SEVIS record. In rare instances, new students arriving from overseas can also apply for CPT on their first day.

Who are Using CPT?

CPT is designed to give international students a chance to experience working in their field of study in the US. It is commonly used by those who wish to stay in the US long-term, as it provides opportunities for internships and building a professional network.

Bachelor’s level students don't use CPT much as they are usually too young and not ready for working. Most F1 students requesting CPT work authorization are master's level students who want to experience the "real America" and determine if they want to stay and use OPT after graduation to build a career.

Another scenario involves master's students who have completed their program and used up their OPT or STEM OPT but haven't secured an H1B, given the 25% H1B lottery selection rate. They may enroll in Day 1 CPT universities to work while pursuing another degree.

Can PhD Students Use CPT? 

Yes, but PhD or doctoral level students rarely use CPT during their programs due to the nature of their studies and fundings. However, there are occasion you would be able to find a supervisor support the idea of using CPT, for example, to work in a lab. 

Why You May Need A Day 1 CPT PhD Program? 

For those who already have a master's degree in the US and wish to enroll in a similar program due to the nature of their job, a "safer" way to use CPT as work authorization is to "level up."

For example, if you are determined to be a software engineer and have a master's degree in computer science but didn't get an H1B during your three years of STEM OPT. You can enroll in a Day 1 CPT university and use CPT as work authorization to continue your full-time job. However, it is recommended that you do not choose the same major as your pervious degree, meanwhile the major you choose still have to align with your job description. This can sometimes cause dilemmas. One solution is to pursue the same major at a different educational level. In this case, you can find a PhD or doctoral-level Day 1 CPT program in computer science.

Do you Need to Find a Supervisor Supports Day 1 CPT First? 

In traditional schools, yes. But there are Day 1 CPT universities, specifically design programs that integrate CPT as part of the curriculum, many of them also provides PhD or doctoral Day 1 CPT programs. 

There are different ways to categorize the type of CPT that available for PhD students. 

CPT by Program Request 

Required CPT for Ph.D. Students:

This type of CPT is mandatory for your course or degree. You must complete the CPT program to graduate, as it is integrated into the curriculum. The CPT will be directly related to your research field. A Ph.D. advisor at your university will provide a written statement supporting these Day 1 CPT programs. Usually this type of program only provided at Day 1 CPT Universities.

Optional CPT for Ph.D. Students:

This type of CPT is not required for graduation but offers valuable career experience. Ensure you comply with all Ph.D. Day 1 CPT regulations at your school and confirm that off-campus employment is permitted before proceeding. This form of CPT authorization, although it can be approved by the school without going through USCIS, is more difficult to obtain because the program does not require off-campus work experience. Significant justification must be presented to your DSO.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT for Ph.D. Students

CPT rules for Ph.D. students include two sub-categories: part-time and full-time.

Part-Time:
You are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Exceeding this limit violates your visa. Employment can be on or off-campus, depending on the agreement between your university, USCIS, and yourself.

Full-Time:
You are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week. Despite working full-time, you must still meet all mandatory study requirements under your student visa. Many students fulfill this by taking online classes after work or on weekends. Ensure you maintain a close relationship with your school to meet all visa requirements. Employment can be on or off-campus, as permitted by USCIS. 

Some Day 1 CPT universities use PhD programs, while others use doctoral programs to describe their post-master's level options.

Technically, PhD programs focus more on research, while doctoral programs are more practical. However, in the realm of Day 1 CPT, they don't differ much; it's merely a difference in terminology used by various schools. Both integrate CPT into the program, so you won't need a supervisor to write a recommendation for CPT application. The courses usually require internships as part of the graduation requirements.

Both Day 1 CPT PhD and Doctoral programs likely require a thesis for graduation. Unlike traditional theses, Day 1 CPT theses focus heavily on internship experiences, applying academic knowledge to real work scenarios. If you're primarily interested in research, a traditional PhD might be a better fit. If you want to learn and apply your knowledge, Day 1 CPT programs are ideal.

In the US, most traditional PhD programs offer scholarships or stipends for RA/TA work, which is uncommon in Day 1 CPT PhD programs. Scholarships for Day 1 CPT PhD students are available similarly to those for master's students. However, Day 1 CPT universities are usually affordable and offer payment plans. They also expect you to use CPT to find a paid job to support your studies in the US.

Westcliff University

Westcliff University offers Day 1 CPT PhD-level programs at two campuses: one in Irvine, California, about a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles, and the other in Miami, Florida. They currently offer two doctoral-level programs with Day 1 CPT options: a DBA and an EdD. The DBA program has a STEM concentration, allowing for 3 years of OPT after graduation if you haven't used full-time CPT during the program. This DBA program is one of the most popular doctoral-level Day 1 CPT programs in the US. Westcliff also offers an "early exit" option, allowing students to discontinue the program after completing 36 credits and still receive a certificate. 

Ottawa University 

Ottawa University has two campuses, one in Arizona and the other in Kansas. Currently, only the Kansas campus offers a doctoral-level Day 1 CPT program, the DBA. Unlike Westcliff University's DBA, this is not a STEM program. The on-site requirement is twice per semester, and CPT must be renewed annually. Annual tuition for this program is $16,575. 

Sofia University

Sofia University has two campuses in California: one in Palo Alto near the Bay Area and the other in Costa Mesa near Los Angeles. They launched a DBA Day 1 CPT program in 2023. This relatively new program does not offer STEM options and has an annual tuition of $17,000. Sofia University's Day 1 CPT program requires students to attend on-site classes monthly and renew their CPT authorization each semester.

University of the Potomac

They offer some of the cheapest doctoral-level Day 1 CPT programs among all Day 1 CPT Universities, with three major options: DBA, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Computer Science, all with annual tuition under $8,000. They have two campuses, one in Washington D.C. and the other in Virginia, just 20 minutes apart by car. Unlike other Day 1 CPT universities, students enrolled at the University of the Potomac can attend on-site classes at both campuses. The only downside for those who wish to be more "practical" and work more while studying is the relatively high on-site requirement of every two weeks. Therefore, it suits only those residing in the same region.

National Louis University

National Louis University has two campuses: one in Tampa, Florida, and the other in Chicago. Their DBA program is a STEM major, offering 3 years of OPT post-graduation. The program tuition is $49,920, making the annual cost around $15,000.

University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands has many locations and is regionally accredited, like all the Day 1 CPT universities mentioned above. It currently offers two Ph.D. Day 1 CPT programs: an Executive Ph.D. in Information Technology and an Executive Ph.D. in Leadership. Program tuition ranges from $44,940 to $49,434. Assuming you graduate in 3 years, the annual cost is between $15,000 and $17,000. Despite its reputation for offering low-cost Day 1 CPT programs, its Ph.D. programs are less affordable compared to other options, such as the University of the Potomac.

Sullivan University 

Sullivan University offers a Ph.D. in Management program with a Day 1 CPT option. The university has two campuses, both located in Kentucky. Sullivan University's Ph.D. Day 1 CPT program differs from others mentioned above because it requires 90 credit hours to graduate, instead of the usual 60. As a result, even though the cost per credit hour is similar to other options, the total tuition for the program is much higher, at $70,200.

One common reason USCIS scrutinizes students' future visa applications is a prolonged stay in the same program. Typically, a doctoral program should last no more than 5 years to avoid raising concerns with USCIS officers. However, Sullivan University's program is an exception. With a 90 credit hour requirement, the "reasonable duration of study" is extended accordingly.

 

If the program you enrolled in does not integrate CPT into the curriculum, your supervisor must "prescribe" it for you to be eligible. However, if you are enrolled in a Day 1 CPT program at one of the universities mentioned in this article, you'll only need to take the CPT classes, making the process much easier.

Requirements for CPT Approval

To ensure your school's DSO approves your CPT application, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Legal F1 Visa: You must hold a valid F1 visa that allows you to study in the U.S. Basic F1 visa requirements include:

   • Proper maintenance of the visa for each semester of studies
   • A declared major
   • A specific, major-related internship
   • Not being a visiting exchange student

2. Course of Study: Your course of study must meet the following criteria:

   • Enrollment for a full academic year during the CPT
   • Enrollment in 1 to 2 units of a major-related internship
   • CPT must be a prescribed part of the course curriculum
   • Submission of a written CPT job offer with the CPT authorization request
   • A university-approved health insurance provider

Keep Your CPT Authorization

In order to keep your CPT authorization active, you'll have to:

1. Attend on-site classes as required
2. Make sure your overall GPA is above 3.0
3. Renew your CPT accordingly to your Day 1 CPT universities' guideline
4. When change jobs/internship, notify your DSO and updates your CPT record 

*NOTE: If you wish to use OPT after graduation, do not exceed full-time CPT use for more than 11 months.