What is the internship and CPT approval process for internships?

Congratulations on the internship! 

Are you ready to report your internship?

• Have you accepted the offer?
• Do you have the offer letter on company letterhead? Is it signed?
• Do you have a job description for the internship?  (If you are currently employed in a role for more than 6 months, do you have a description of the special project, with details about the scope and timeline?)
• Have you decided how many credit hours you would like to be approved for?     
• Internships must be reported by the internship reporting deadline of the semester in which the internship takes place.   F1 students - Are the dates for the start and end of the internship within the eligible date range for CPT?  Is the start date at least 7 business days in the future?  

If YES, you are ready to request approval for the internship. 

Please report your  internship in ORION

Watch the recording for step-by-step instructions on how to request approval for your internship.

In ORION go to My Academics.    On the left side menu, select report an internship

Note:  

• You must upload 2 documents - the offer letter and the job description.  If you have more than 2 documents, combine them in a pdf to be able to upload. 
  
  
• You must complete all the survey questions to be able to submit the request for approval
  
  
• Once you have submitted the request, the approval process starts, and you will not be able to make changes to the survey
  
  
• You may receive requests for additional information - follow the instructions for submitting this.
  
  
• The ORION approval is only the first step.  The second step is course enrollment.  The CPT approval follows course enrollment, and you must wait for this to be completed to receive your authorization to work.

Internship reporting process (allow 7-10 business days total after all documents are added)

Please ensure you understand the approval process and take the appropriate action to allow this to proceed without delays.

• Student checks all documents are uploaded in ORION and that all the required information has been included.

• University Career Center team reviews the submission for completeness. Respond quickly to any requests from the University Career Center team for missing information. It may take up to 48 hours for UCC review. Contact [email protected] if no response after 2 business days.

• If you are working in your home country (not the USA), please contact ISSO and Education Abroad for further advice. Note: Work authorization will be required if you work in the US for a company in another country. CPT cannot be issued for a company address outside of the US.

• JSOM policy does not permit remote working.  However, due to COVID-19, you may be working remotely at the start of the internship, and then be asked to work in the office at a later date. As part of the approval process, your program director will request a waiver for remote working due to COVID-19.  Expect 1 business day turnaround. 

• If you are eligible for another waiver, the Program Director will request approval for this.

• The program director checks the offer letter and the job description.  For F1 students, the role must be an internship, and not a contract or regular position. The job description must indicate the degree level and function aligned with major/program.

• When you receive the academic approval email from your program director, (and any requested waiver approvals) do not delay requesting enrollment in your internship course from Advising. Masters students must request enrollment.  Undergrads are enrolled in zero credit and must request enrollment for 1-3 credit hours if approved. Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

• If you miss the enrollment deadline for the 10-week course, you will be enrolled in the 2nd 8/5 week option.

F-1 visa students: CPT Approval is required

• The CPT request will be submitted to ISSO after enrollment is confirmed, and you should receive an email from ISSO within 1-3 days. If you need to expedite the CPT process, ask Advising to copy [email protected] on the enrollment confirmation email.

• Start and end dates must be within the eligible range for the semester.

• Do not start work before you receive your I-20 work authorization from ISSO. Check the I-20 for accuracy PRIOR TO your start date. Email [email protected] if changes are necessary.

• Grads, if you are requesting FT CPT, your I-20 will indicate if you are approved for reduced enrollment.  (Undergrads are not eligible for reduced enrollment)

• If you are applying for an SSN, contact the Dallas SSA office for an in-person appointment to be scheduled after you receive the I-20. ISSO will provide a letter to take with the I-20 to the meeting.

Please note:

• A valid business address is required.   Businesses that are run out of residences are not approved, regardless of whether you will be working remotely due to COVID-19.  Similarly, PO Box numbers, Mail Service stores and co-working spaces are not valid company addresses.  Virtual offices are not approved. 

• Students are encouraged to seek paid internships. Unpaid internships must meet the NACE criteria for an internship, and not be replacing a full-time hire or contractor. The employer should comply with US Department of Labor guidelines for determining if an internship should be paid.

• Please let the process work and please avoid sending multiple emails requesting status as this takes everyone’s time to respond. Check your own status in ORION –  and check your email from ORION or [email protected].  If you have JSOM specific process or policy questions, please send them to [email protected], ask a question on the CMC Chat or send a request for a virtual appointment in Handshake.

• Questions about CPT eligibility should be sent to ISSO through the iComet "Ask an Advisor" eForm