Division Chair Guidelines for CPT

Per the student handbook, Division II/III students are eligible to participate in internships to meet division requirements (either a Division II learning activity or Division III advanced activity).

In accordance with federal regulations, international students (F-1 visa holders only) must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from the multicultural and international student services (MISS) office prior to engaging in any off-campus employment (paid or unpaid internships, volunteerships, jobs, or any other work experience).

CPT is authorization for paid or unpaid off-campus employment prior to completion of studies that is either required as part of the student's academic program curriculum and/or for which the student will receive academic credit towards their current division requirements.

An academic recommendation is required from the division chair in order to verify that the proposed training meets the CPT eligibility requirements. Although an academic recommendation is required, the recommendation itself does not guarantee that the proposed training/CPT will be granted; the entire application must clearly show how the student's proposed training is integral in his/her academic program and that it satisfies the academic objectives stated in the current Division II/III contract.

Requirements and characteristics of CPT:

Training…

• must be an integral part of the student's academic program.
• must fulfill training described in the student's current Division II/III contract AND meet specific academic goals/objectives agreed upon between student and division chair/committee.
• must be directly related to the student's previously reported fields of study, "CIP codes," and be commensurate with the student's division level. If students have not already reported CIP codes, they must do so as part of the CPT application. Information regarding CIP Codes can be found here.
• must be authorized by Hampshire College (by way of the division chair/committee) prior to application and then must be assessed in the student's current division evaluation.
• is employer, job, AND time/duration specific; once CPT is approved the student cannot change employers or internship position, training cannot be extended, nor can the student work beyond the hour/week limit.
• can be paid or unpaid. BOTH require authorization from the international student advisor.
• cannot be authorized once all degree requirements have been met. Neither can training be authorized for the student's current division once all division requirements have been met.

Division Chair (and/or committee) responsibilities in the CPT Application Process:

• Assist the student as needed with contract revision, making sure that the training is included and/or expound upon the description of the training and the relevancy to their academic program, if not already done or included.
• Meet with the student to identify academic objectives for the training period and then as needed to ensure that the proposed training that the student has secured meets the CPT requirements.
• Print and complete the Division Chair Recommendation Letter on Hampshire letterhead. Make sure to complete all fields, sign in BLUE ink, and return the letter to the student to submit with the other application materials.