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 doctoral programs for students pursuing advanced careers in business, leadership, and education. Its doctoral options include the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Education (EdD). The DBA is available in both STEM and non-STEM options, making it particularly attractive to international students who may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after completing the standard 12-month OPT period, provided they meet the applicable OPT and CPT eligibility requirements.

Westcliff has expanded its campus presence, with locations including Irvine, Santa Monica, and San Francisco, California; Miami and Orlando, Florida; and Dallas, Texas. The DBA Professional format has a relatively low once-per-semester onsite requirement, while the EdD follows a more frequent attendance structure and is offered with weekly onsite attendance in Irvine.

The DBA Professional is approximately 36 months long, with tuition of about $22,425 per year, while the EdD takes approximately 40 months and costs about $19,320 per year. With its STEM DBA option, multiple campus locations, and flexible doctoral study formats, Westcliff remains a notable choice for international students comparing Day 1 CPT DBA programs, Day 1 CPT doctoral programs, and STEM doctoral programs in the USA.

Ottawa University 

Ottawa University offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) that can be an option for international students seeking a Day 1 CPT doctoral program with limited on-campus attendance. The program focuses on advanced business leadership, strategic decision-making, applied research, and organizational management, making it suitable for experienced professionals seeking to develop executive-level expertise.

The DBA follows a practice-oriented approach that connects doctoral study with real-world business challenges. For F-1 students comparing Day 1 CPT DBA programs, Ottawa University's structure may be particularly appealing because students attend campus only twice per semester, reducing the frequency of required travel while maintaining the in-person component of the program.

Ottawa University offers the DBA through its Ottawa, Kansas, and Surprise, Arizona locations. With a 36-month program length and total tuition of approximately $49,728, it provides another option for students comparing Day 1 CPT universities, low-residency DBA programs, and doctoral programs with CPT in the United States.

Sofia University

Sofia University offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) designed for professionals who want to combine advanced business education with practical workplace experience. The program emphasizes leadership, organizational transformation, applied research, and evidence-based decision-making, making it relevant for students pursuing senior-level roles across a variety of industries.

For international students researching Day 1 CPT doctoral programs, Sofia University's DBA provides a low-residency structure with on-campus attendance once per month. The program is offered at the university's Palo Alto and Costa Mesa, California locations, making it an option for students seeking Day 1 CPT DBA programs in California, particularly those based in the Bay Area or Southern California.

The DBA is a 54-credit program that can be completed in approximately 36 months, with total tuition of about $58,110. With four enrollment windows throughout the year and scholarship opportunities available, Sofia University is another option for F-1 students comparing Day 1 CPT universities, doctoral programs with CPT, and low-residency DBA programs in the United States.

National Louis University

National Louis University (NLU) offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) designed for professionals seeking advanced expertise in business leadership, strategic management, and applied research. The curriculum connects doctoral-level study with real-world organizational challenges, making the program relevant for professionals pursuing executive, consulting, management, or academic career paths.

For international students exploring Day 1 CPT doctoral programs, NLU's DBA stands out for its relatively low-residency structure, with on-campus attendance required once per semester. The program is offered at the university's Tampa, Florida location, making it an option for students searching specifically for Day 1 CPT DBA programs in Florida.

The DBA consists of 60 credits and takes approximately 40 months to complete. With three enrollment windows each year, NLU provides another option for F-1 students comparing Day 1 CPT universities, doctoral programs with CPT, low-residency DBA programs, and Day 1 CPT programs in the United States.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) designed for professionals seeking advanced expertise in business leadership, research, and strategic decision-making. Students can choose from several specializations, including Data Analytics, Healthcare Administration, Information Systems, and Management, allowing them to align their doctoral studies with their professional background and long-term career goals.

For international students exploring Day 1 CPT doctoral programs, IWU offers a low-residency structure with on-campus attendance once per semester in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Data Analytics specialization provides a STEM option, making IWU particularly relevant for students comparing STEM DBA programs and doctoral programs that combine advanced business education with practical training opportunities.

The DBA can be completed in approximately 36 months, with total tuition of about $44,355 and three enrollment windows per year. With multiple specialization options and limited campus visits, IWU provides another choice for F-1 students researching Day 1 CPT universities, Day 1 CPT DBA programs, low-residency doctoral programs, and STEM doctoral programs in the United States.

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.