Hi, my Name is Tooba Naqshab. I’m a part of the Experiential Learning team located at MTCC 106. I work specifically with students for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). This blog will walk you through the CPT process and provide all the information you need to get started. Please note that different departments handle different parts of the process, so make sure you contact the right one for your specific questions. Here’s my advice on the process:
Getting Started:

- Your very first step is to secure an offer from a company and make sure it is legitimate. (You can meet with the Career Services team to confirm your offer and avoid scams)
- Next, read the eligibility and requirements on our website before applying. You must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify. Students can file a petition for low GPA.
- Please make sure you’re keeping up with the deadlines on our website. The deadlines are harsh, and your application will not be processed after those deadlines. We cannot guarantee you your start date if you apply after the deadlines on our website.
Submitting an Experience on Handshake:

- Follow the instructions on our website and submit your request on Handshake. Make sure you attach all the required documents. Your answers to the survey questions should not be more than three complete sentences. We’re looking for clear and concise answers. You should only use a course reference in “Course Alignment” question, nowhere else. Goals should be achievable.
- Please note that it takes at least three to five business days for your application to be reviewed. It’s advised that you don’t reach out to Experiential Learning until the fourth business day. Please don’t reach out to us on our personal emails.
- Once your application is reviewed, you’ll receive an email from Experiential learning. We’ll ask you to update your application if you’re missing any information. If your application looks good, you’ll receive the approval email with the next steps.
Approval Process/Next Steps:
- After you receive your approval email, an approval link is sent to your academic advisor automatically. Upon approval from your academic advisor, your workplace supervisor automatically receives an approval link from Handshake. If you supervisor didn’t receive an automatic link from Handshake, you can email us and we can send a direct link to them.
- Once your CPT is approved by both your academic advisor and workplace supervisor, you’ll receive a Course Registration Number (CRN) to register for the internship course. Please note that it takes at least three business days to process CRNs.
- After registering for CRN, you can submit your offer letter, job description, and CPT form to the ISSS portal for your I-20.
- From this point on, OGS (Office of Global Services) will handle everything related to your I-20. Please contact OGS for concerns regarding your I-20 issuing or immigration-related questions. You must inform Experiential Learning and OGS for any extensions or changes to your CPT.
*If you need additional assistance, Experiential Learning has drop-in hours and appointments. You can schedule an appointment through Handshake. Please don’t reach out to me or other assistants on our personal emails. It can cause issues in your processing.
Please make sure you reach out to the correct department for a smoother process: Experiential Learning: For CPT application questions, Graduate Academic Affairs: If you’re exceeding credit limits or have academic concerns, Academic Advisor & Graduate Academic Affairs: For GPA-related issues, Office of the Registrar: For questions about internship grades or course registration, Office of Global Services (OGS): For any questions related to OPT or I-20/immigration process.
We’re here to help you throughout the CPT application process. If you have any questions about your CPT application, feel free to contact the Experiential Learning team. We have drop-in hours and appointments. You can find me or our other assistant, Kendall Ricks, at MTCC Room 106 during our drop-in hours. We’re here to help and make the process easy for you. Good luck!