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Day 1 CPT Pros

Your #1 Destination for Day 1 CPT Assistance & University Guidance. Best of All? Our Services are Completely Free of Charge.

TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Tuition:

Duration:

Annual Start Dates:

CPT Renewal:

On-Campus Sessions:

STEM:

GMAT/GRE:

$5100/semester

2 years

6

1 time/year

1 weekend/semester

Yes

No

Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University Campus
Texas Wesleyan University Applied MBA's with day 1 cpt. On-campus sessions 1 weekend per semester
OTTAWA UNIVERSITY

Tuition:

Duration:

Annual Start Dates:

CPT Renewal:

On-Campus Sessions:

STEM:

GMAT/GRE:

$5370 EMBA, MSCS & MSN/semester; $5525 DBA/semester

2 years EMBA, MSCS, & MSN; 3 years DBA

6

1 time/year

1 weekend/semester

Yes

No

Surprise, AZ | Brookfield, WI | Overland Park, KS

Ottawa university campus in Overland Park, KS
Ottawa University EMBA, MSCS, MSN, and DBA programs with day 1 CPT. Students enjoy flexibility with on-campus sessions just 1 weekend per semester
HUMPHREYS UNIVERSITY

Tuition:

Duration:

Annual Start Dates:

CPT Renewal:

On-Campus Sessions:

STEM:

GMAT/GRE:

$3000/quarter

27 months

4

1 time/year

1 weekend/quarter

Yes

No

Stockton, CA

Humphreys University Campus in Stockton, CA
Humphreys University MBA programs with day 1 CPT. On-campus sessions just 1 weekend per semester/quarter.
NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY

Tuition:

Duration:

Annual Start Dates:

CPT Renewal:

On-Campus Sessions:

STEM:

GMAT/GRE:

$4740 MS/quarter; $4992 DBA/semester

15-months MS; 4 years DBA

4

1 time/year

1 weekend/quarter/semester

Yes

No

Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL

National Louis University Campus in Chicago, IL
National Louis University MS Business Data Analytics and DBA degrees with day 1 CPT. On-campus sessions 1 weekend per quarter/semester
HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY

Tuition:

Duration:

Annual Start Dates:

CPT Renewal:

On-Campus Sessions:

STEM:

GMAT/GRE:

$5730/semester

2 years

6

1 time/year

1 Saturday/month, 3 Saturdays/semester

Yes

No

Harrisburg, PA | Philadelphia, PA

Harrisburg University campus in Harrisburg PA
Harrisburg university MS Programs with Day 1 CPT. Students with an f1 visa will benefit from a hybrid learning format.

Best Day-1 CPT Universities

Your Academic Advantage

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Free Consultation and Application

At Day 1 CPT Pros, we're dedicated to breaking down barriers to higher education. That's why we provide a free application process to all our institutions. No application fees mean easier access to kickstart your academic and professional journey.

day 1 cpt degree programs
Degrees

Whether you're looking to advance in your career or explore new horizons, these programs offer the perfect blend of academic rigor and practical application.

These high-demand graduate degree programs also feature STEM concentrations.

university hybrid format
Hybrid Education

Live and work anywhere in the USA!

 

Hybrid format graduate programs blend traditional classroom instruction with online learning, offering flexibility for students to balance their academic pursuits with other commitments. 

accredited day 1 cpt schools
Accreditation

Rest assured that all of these top CPT universities are fully accredited, ensuring the highest standards of quality and credibility in education. Accreditation guarantees that the programs meet rigorous academic criteria and that the institutions are committed to continuous improvement and accountability.

career training with day 1 cpt
Career Training

These career-focused degrees with Day 1 CPT are designed to provide you with the practical skills and hands-on experience needed to excel in your chosen field from day one. You have the opportunity to apply your classroom learning directly to real-world professional settings, gaining valuable insights and building a strong foundation for your future career.

career opportunities with networking
Networking Opportunities

Enrolling in a Day 1 CPT program opens doors to an extensive network of professional connections and career opportunities. Through internships, co-op experiences, and industry collaborations embedded within our curriculum, students have unparalleled access to networking opportunities from the moment they start their academic journey.

Ottawa University Logo

University

Ottawa University

Program

EMBA - Operational Effectiveness and Cyber Security

Female student at Ottawa University, in day 1 cpt program
Harrisburg University Logo

University

Harrisburg University

Program

MS Project Management

Female student at Harrisburg University, day 1 cpt program
Ottawa University logo

University

Ottawa University

Program

EMBA - Health Care Management

korean student at ottawa university, day 1 cpt program

Popular Day 1 CPT Programs

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international students at trine univeristy illistration
illistration of man picking from day 1 cpt schools

Why Day 1 CPT

  • Immediate Work Authorization

    Earn Income

    Immigration Compliance

    Integration into the U.S

    Pathway to OPT and Career Opportunities

     

    As an international student pursuing a degree in the United States, you can benefit from CPT as it allows you the ability to gain real-world experience while you study.

    A Day 1 CPT program will allow you to get immediate work authorization from day 1 of your program and at several of our universities, you can get authorization up to 30 days before your start date. Providing your employment with no gaps or breaks! 

    Our Day 1 CPT graduate programs are a perfect career path for all F1 visa students. Whether you are already in the USA or coming directly from your home country.​

  • To reap the benefits of CPT first you need to understand what CPT is. CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training, an employment authorization program for international students on F-1 visas in the US. It lets students gain practical work experience related to their studies.

    Day 1 CPT is a term coined by students that refers to universities and programs with integral CPT that allows students to start their CPT employment right from the beginning of their academic program. This enables them to gain work experience and earn income while pursuing their degree.

    The designated school official (DSO) authorizes CPT in SEVIS and the authorization is then put on the student's I-20.

  • When considering a Day 1 CPT university, students should thoroughly evaluate several factors to ensure they have a fulfilling academic and professional experience. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to look for:

    Program Offerings: Look for universities that offer programs aligned with your career goals and interests. Check if they have a strong reputation in your field of study and if the curriculum includes practical components relevant to your career aspirations. 

    Accreditation: Choose a university that is accredited by recognized accrediting bodies. Accreditation ensures that the institution meets certain standards of quality and that your degree will be recognized by employers and other institutions. All of our universities are nationally and regionally accredited.  

    CPT Policies: Review the university's policies regarding CPT carefully. Ensure that they offer Day 1 CPT and understand the specific requirements and limitations. Our universities require CPT renewal only 1 time per year and allow students to live and work anywhere in the United States. 

    Location and On-Campus Frequency: Consider the location of the university and its on-campus frequency. Our universities offer numerous campus locations providing flexibility in your choices. The on-campus frequency will also provide you with more flexibility in your program and allow you more freedom to choose where you live and work. Our universities offer on-campus frequency as limited as 1 weekend per semester!

    Tuition: Evaluate the cost of tuition, living expenses, and potential earning opportunities through CPT. Tuition can range from one university to another. All of our universities offer affordable degree programs with tuition as low as $3000 per quarter.

    • CPT (Curricular Practical Training): CPT is an employment authorization that allows international students to gain practical work experience directly related to their field of study as part of their academic program. It can be undertaken during the student's program of study and requires authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and compliance with USCIS regulations.

    • OPT (Optional Practical Training): OPT, on the other hand, is an employment authorization available to F-1 students upon completion of their academic program. It allows students to gain practical work experience in their field of study for up to 12 months (or 24 months for certain STEM degrees) and requires application to USCIS for approval.

    Can a Student Do Both CPT and OPT?

    The short answer is yes, under certain circumstances, a student can participate in both CPT and OPT during their academic journey in the United States. However, it's essential to consider the following:

    1. CPT During the Academic Program: International students can engage in CPT during their academic program, provided it is an integral part of their curriculum and directly related to their field of study. The employment must be authorized by the DSO, and the student must maintain F-1 status. CPT can be part-time which is less than 20 hours per week or full time which is more than 20 hours per week.

    2. OPT After Completion of the Academic Program: Upon completion of their academic program, international students are eligible to apply for OPT to gain additional practical work experience in their field of study. OPT requires approval from USCIS and must be completed within specific timelines and regulations.

    3. Timing and Duration: International students must carefully consider the timing and duration of both CPT and OPT to ensure compliance with regulations and maximize their opportunities for practical work experience while maintaining F-1 status. Students interested in OPT can not do 12 months of full-time CPT. This means that students doing CPT need to do a mix of part-time and full-time keeping full time to 11 months 29 days.

    4. STEM OPT Extension: For students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an option to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after completing the initial 12-month OPT period.

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