Experiential Learning

Yes, participation in Experiential Learning for Graduate Students is granted on a term-by-term basis, and approvals do not extend into future terms.

Academic Consequences

Continuous engagement within the course is required for a successful experiential learning opportunity. If you stop participating in GRAD 610, you will be administratively withdrawn and assigned a failing Z grade for the course. If you are dropped from GRAD 610, you must notify your employer that you are no longer eligible for Experiential Learning for Graduate Students.

Immigration Consequences

Continued enrollment in and successful completion of GRAD 610 is a requirement to be authorized for CPT. OISP is required by regulation to update SEVIS with any change in employment. The CPT authorization may be shortened or canceled within SEVIS. You should consult your DSO immediately upon being dropped and notify your employer that your CPT authorization has ended.

Academic Consequences

Successful completion of GRAD 610 requires a continuous experience in the approved position throughout the duration of the course. If you lose your position, you must notify the instructor and your academic advisor to withdraw from the course. If you find a new position, please refer to the FAQ about extending or beginning a new position for next steps.

Immigration Consequences

Continued enrollment in and successful completion of GRAD 610 are required to maintain CPT authorization. If you lose your position and are dropped from GRAD 610, OISP will be required to shorten or cancel the CPT authorization in SEVIS.

Participation in Experiential Learning for Graduate Students, and the related enrollment in GRAD 610 and CPT authorization, is approved based on multiple criteria, including the position description and employment dates. To extend your existing, approved position, you must reapply to submit updated information through the application link. Upon approval, you will be enrolled in an additional section of GRAD 610 and re-authorized for CPT.

Participation in Experiential Learning for Graduate Students, and the related enrollment in GRAD 610 and CPT authorization, is approved based on multiple criteria, including the position description. To begin a new position, you must reapply to submit updated information through the application link. Upon approval, you will be enrolled in an additional section of GRAD 610 and authorized for a new instance of CPT.

The CPT authorization for Experiential Learning for Graduate Students can impact eligibility for post-completion OPT if a student has been employed more than 20 hours per week for 12 months or more. If a student is authorized for part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week), there is no impact on OPT.

In addition, a student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement and not before the CPT start date indicated on the form. Working without the endorsed I-20 or outside the employment dates listed on the I-20 can be reason for an OPT application to be denied. For detailed information about CPT, please see our Curricular Practical Training page.

F-1 students must maintain a full course of study, including enrollment in face-to-face classes. If the position will prevent maintaining F-1 status, your application for Experiential Learning for Graduate Students will not be approved.

Full course of study for an F-1 graduate student at Franklin University requires, at minimum, six credits per term with a maximum of one online course counting toward the six-credit requirement. As a one-credit course, GRAD 610 will not fulfill full course of study requirements for F-1 students and should not be used in place of a course for your degree program. Detailed information is available on the Curricular Practical Training page. 

Yes; however, F-1 students must enroll in GRAD 610 - Experiential Learning for Graduate Studies during the summer term to qualify for CPT work authorization during dates that coincide with the summer term.

Yes; however, students may not postpone their degree graduation by enrolling in GRAD 610 - Experiential Learning for Graduate Studies after degree requirements have been met. CPT work authorization cannot extend beyond an F-1 student’s final term, and the Program End Date on students’ I-20s will not be extended to participate in Experiential Learning for Graduate Students. 

CPT for Experiential Learning for Graduate Students can be authorized for either full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (up to 20 hours per week) positions. If you have been authorized for full-time CPT for 12 months or more, you will be ineligible for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). If you have been authorized for part-time CPT, there is no impact on OPT.

F-1 students should plan their courses carefully to ensure the hours dedicated to the position and GRAD 610 - Experiential Learning for Graduate Studies will not prevent them from maintaining a full course of study. 

From both an academic and immigration perspective, compensation does not directly determine if a position qualifies as an experiential learning opportunity.  While pay may be an indication of the level of responsibility for the position, unpaid positions may be as academically valuable as paid positions. For F-1 students, if a position meets the definition of curricular practical training, you should apply for Experiential Learning regardless of whether the position is paid. Details about receiving monetary compensation are available on OISP's CPT page and taxes page.