The following is the process for international students to obtain iSchool approval for CPT (Curricular Practical Training). This page was updated in April 2019.
OPT graduation letters can be obtained from the Graduate Advisor.
The UT Texas Global's CPT page is the primary source of information on CPT, and provides answers on timing and process. They now provide an online submission system, called myIO. Students should review the Texas Global's procedures thoroughly, including how start and finish dates of appointments align with course registration.
CPT has four options. At the iSchool employment is not required for the degree (Option 1), there is no Co-op program (Option 4) and Option 3 is only for thesis/dissertations (granted very rarely), so CPT must be associated with a course (Option 2).
The iSchool makes three courses available for use with CPT under Option 2 (see below). Students are advised that the most common option is to register in the INF 188T Internship course, either in the same semester as the CPT or, when CPT is in summer, in the following Fall semester (although review Texas Global's advice). Registering in Fall is substantially less expensive (because your 10th or 11th credit is less expensive than your 1st).
iSchool CPT applications must be submitted via the myIO system (the PDF CPT form is no longer accepted) and by generating an email as specified below.
The myIO system requires you to specify the course option (below) and to upload your letter from your employer. It also requires you to specify contacts at the iSchool. The language varies, sometimes saying "your academic advisor" or "point of contact" or "an advisor" or "your graduate advisor". For all of these, please use Ying Ding, ying.ding@ischool.utexas.edu.
CPT start dates
As detailed on the Texas Global's page (heading "What are the earliest and latest start dates I can use for CPT authorization" near the bottom of their page) you'll see If your job will start prior to the graduation date (often around 20 May) for that semester, then you need a letter saying that you'll have completed all course requirements by that date. If your start date is before that date, please include the syllabus for all courses you are enrolled in, helping me see if there are any exams, etc.
Internship Course -- INF 188T, 288T, 388T (1, 2, or 3 credits aka x88T).
This course does not count toward your degree, but no faculty sponsor nor extra work are required. It does count toward your full-time enrollment criteria (hence the options 2 or 3 credits, discussed below), and can be taken multiple times, including multiple sections in a semester to cover multiple CPTs.
As of January 2020, students will register in INF 188T via University Extension (UT UEX). This is easier and less expensive. Rather than submitting a PDF form, use the UEX registration online form at https://extension.utexas.edu/inf-188t-internship-libraries-other-information-agencies.
Registration for 188T through UEX is possible in all three semesters at the same price, so summer CPT students should register in summer. Multiple sections are available in the rare case that two separate CPTs are undertaken in the same semester.
Please send ying.ding@ischoool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Internship Course via UEX
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I will register with UEX via https://extension.utexas.edu/inf-188t-internship-libraries-other-information-agencies. I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO.
Two and three credit versions of the internship course (INF 288T and INF 388T, which are only needed for full-time enrollment), must still be registered for through the iSchool. They require a completed INF x88T Internship form. Complete that form (including the "unique number" and attach to the email).
Please send ying.ding@ischool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Internship Course
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I have attached a completed form for registration in the INF x88T course I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO
Professional Experience and Project (Capstone course) -- INF 388L (3 credits).
This course is available for CPT associated only with your PEP capstone. It does count toward full-time enrollment criteria, and can be taken only once.
Registration in INF 388L is required at the time the student submits via the myIO system. Normally students enroll in that course during pre-registration, via the registrar's system.
Please send ying.ding@ischool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Capstone Course
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I am registered in the PEP Capstone course for the XXXX semester I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO
Individual Studies -- INF 181, 281, 381 (1, 2, or 3 credits).
This can count towards the hours needed for your degree, but a faculty sponsor and extra academic work are required, as with any Individual Study. That extra work is equivalent to any other course, and can thus be quite substantial. This course does count toward your full-time enrollment criteria. This can be taken multiple times, subject to same rules as any Individual Studies.
Registration is via the Individual Study registration form, linked from the MSIS Program page. Students seeking to use this option must email that form, already signed by a faculty member, at the same time that the CPT application is submitted via myIO, using the email template below.
Please send ying.ding@ischool.utexas.edu an email with
Subject:
CPT application - Individual Study Course
and Body:
Semester: [e.g., Fall 2020] EID: [your EID here] Name: [Your Name Here] I have submitted via myIO and I have attached a completed form for Individual Study, already signed by an iSchool faculty member I have attached the letter from the employer (or Employment Verification Form), as submitted to MyIO