MBA Program Office
Practical Training Work Authorization Process
Summer 2008
We have received a number of requests from international and permanent residents/U.S. citizens regarding curricular practical training.
Optional Practical Training (Second Year Students)
Second year F-1 international students are eligible (under certain conditions) for Optional Practical Training (OPT). No job offer is required to apply. Applications for OPT are adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and may take up to 90 - 120 days to approve. Please review the International Student and Scholar Services' (ISSS) OPT web page for application procedures, forms, and materials, and plan early for summer work authorization. A good general timeframe is to apply for OPT before spring break or even earlier. To begin the process, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will require the OPT Request form. This form can also be picked up in the MBA Program Office at 300 Jon M. Huntsman Hall. .
Curricular Practical Training (First Year Students)
All students who register for this class must attend two information seminars on Tuesday, March 25, 4:30-5:30 PM, JMHH 265, and Tuesday, April 15, 4:30-5:30 PM, JMHH F65.
March 25 Presentation
April 15 Presentation
Permanent Residents/U.S. Citizens: Some companies (particularly, though not limited to, those in the media and entertainment fields), require that students be able to use their summer experience as credit toward a degree. The Graduate Division will offer a summer course entitled, "Curricular Practical Training" (MGMT891:900) offered by OmniLearn and directed by Lynn Krage, Associate Director, Wharton Center for Leadership and Change Management, that will fulfill the requirement.* The course is taught online and earns 0.25 cu, which will count against the 21 cu maximum allowed before paying extra tuition. Please see below for registration information for this class.
International Students: International students in F-1 status may be authorized to work in the U.S. under the auspices of Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Since OPT authorization may take up to 90 - 120 days and must be adjudicated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, most first year F-1 students will apply for CPT which can be given by ISSS upon application and review. To apply for the CPT, students must have a written internship offer and be registered for a summer course. MGMT891:900, Curricular Practical Training offered by OmniLearn and directed by Lynn Krage, Wharton Center for Leadership and Change Management, will satisfy the course requirement.* This course will earn 0.25cu. Please see below for registration information. International students should direct individual inquiries about work authorization to International Scholar and Student Services (ISSS) at 215.898.4661 or visit during their advising hours, M-F 10am-4pm .
MGMT891:900 Registration and Orientation:*
In order to apply for Curricular Practical Training approval through ISSS, you must register for MGMT891:900 (an online course requiring completion of 40 lessons and two assessment tests). Registration for this class will open on March 26. To register:
- Submit a $100 fee for the class using 123Signup (available March 26). These fees cover the costs of the on-line course delivery system (much like a bulk pack fee). There will be a $5 processing fee for refunds if you cancel your registration; no refunds will be given after Monday, June 30.
- You should fill out a MGMT891:900 registration form (available March 26) and submit it to JMHH 300 along with confirmation of payment to 123Signup (available March 26 . Staff will register you for the class on the Student Records System and will give you a copy of the registration form.
For eligible students, CPT can be authorized by ISSS. Take the copy of your registration, copy of your passport, copy of your I-94 card (front and back), and your written offer of employment to ISSS beginning April 1. To save time, you can fill out a Summer CPT Request Form (available in JMHH in March) and take that with you.
All students who register for this class must attend information seminars on Tuesday, March 25, 4:30-5:30 PM, JMHH 265, and Tuesday, April 15, 4:30-5:30 PM, JMHH F65.Failure to attend either seminar will result in removal from the CPT course. Successful completion of the CPT course is required in order to stay in valid immigration status. If you fail to complete 20 sessions by July 15, 2008, your remaining CPT will be canceled by ISSS. Such CPT cancellation will be reported to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Any employment occurring after the CPT cancellation will be considered unauthorized employment.
This class must be completed by September 15, 2008. Failure to complete this course will result in an F. An F grade will preclude Graduation with Honors and Palmer Scholars.