INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
CPT / INTERNSHIP PROGRAM CHECKLIST:

Please note that it may take up to two weeks for your CPT to be authorized. You may NOT begin working until you receive a new CPT I-20 form from the International Center authorizing your training.

1. MEET WITH YOUR EMPLOYER

Take the Letter to the Employer to a meeting with your employer. This will provide your employer with an overview of the internship program and his/her responsibilities.

Obtain a Formal Offer Letter from your employer outlining your responsibilities. This letter must be on company letterhead, provide the supervisor’s name, address, and phone number and be signed by a representative of the company. It must list your job title, the number of hours you will be working, and the proposed time period of employment (from what date to what date). Your responsibilities should be appropriate to challenge your educational level and give you the opportunity to gain experience relevant to your career goals.

Write Three Learning Objectives with your employer. You will strive to accomplish these objectives during the internship's 14 weeks. These objectives can be three projects or achievable task-oriented goals that relate your job to your career and your education. These three learning objectives MUST reflect new learning and new responsibility related to your career goals. Your three learning objectives should be developed with your employer supervisor. They need only be one sentence each, but should be achievable and measurable actions. Here are several appropriate examples:

  • I will learn to compare the value of commercial property for appraisal.
  • I will rewrite the policy on customer service for the sales manager.
  • I will learn how to stain cells for identification of mutations.
  • I will organize the vendor registration for the Salt Lake Arts Festival.

Your counselor will review your objectives and approve them as is or recommend changes or explain why your job/internship does not meet internship program criteria.

 

2. MEET WITH YOUR CAREER COUNSELOR PRIOR TO THE START OF YOUR INTERNSHIP

The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether your work experience meets CPT criteria, the amount of internship credit for which you qualify, and, if appropriate, complete the registration process for an internship.

Bring the following to the meeting with your Career Counselor:

  • a completed Student Information Sheet,
  • a signed Learning Agreement documenting that you agree to the terms and conditions of the internship program,
  • a printout of the syllabus with the 13 weekly assignments,
  • the Formal Offer Letter you obtained from your employer, and
  • the Three Learning Objectives you wrote with your employer.

If your proposed job qualifies for CPT, your Career Counselor will provide you CSIP registration information and a CPT approval letter (4 copies).

 

3. SIGN UP IN UCareerLink, THE CAREER SERVICES DATABASE

UCareerLink is a student and jobsearch database. (Note: Signing up with Career Services is NOT the same as registering for the course credit.)

 

4. REGISTER FOR THE COURSE

You will receive authorization and instructions on registering for the course credit (Educational Psychology 3960) when you meet with your career counselor.

 

5. OBTAIN A CURRENT OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TRANSCRIPT

The Transcripts Division is located in the Student Services Building, Window #21 (2nd floor). The following information is needed to process transcript requests:

  • Full name and any prior names
  • Student identification number and/or Social Security Number
  • Birth date
  • Approximate dates of enrollment
  • Student signature
  • Payment (transcripts are $3 each; cash, check, money order, or credit card accepted)

 

6. TURN IN CPT PAPERWORK TO THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER.

  • Current official University of Utah transcript
  • Current I-20
  • Four copies of the CPT approval letter from your Career Counselor

The International Center will process your CPT request. If your CPT is approved, they will issue you a new CPT I-20 form. You are NOT allowed to start working until you receive the I-20 with the work authorization. This may take several days. You may ONLY work for the period of time stated on the new I-20 form. If you need more time than the I-20 states, you will need to reapply for CPT.

Once you are approved for CPT and receive your new CPT I-20 form, a representative from the International Center will sign the four copies of your approval letter. Two of these copies will be kept by the International Center (one for their office and one to send to Career Services). You are responsible to give a copy to your employer and to keep a copy for your own records.

 

It is your responsibility to know the law and comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as with University of Utah policies.