CPT & OPT Enrollment Guidelines

Scientist in lab

International students who are undergraduates in the College of Chemistry are eligible to work off campus in positions related to their field of study, either before or after graduation. The information provided below supplements what is available on the Berkeley International Office web site. 

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) Form Guidelines and Process

Curricular Practical Training is a type of off-campus work authorization for F-1 international students who are currently pursuing study programs in the United States and want to gain work experience in their fields of study. CPT is not available after a student completes a degree program.

To be approved, the CPT must either 1) satisfy a degree requirement; or 2) earn credit for employment. Since CoC majors do not require work experience, CoC students will always need to earn credit for CPT. We therefore grant 1-4 units of Chem or Chem Eng 197. 

The College of Chemistry CPT Form guidelines:

  1. Submit the CoC CPT Google Form at least 3-5 business days BEFORE you submit the CPT Request e-form (BIO requires CPT e-forms be submitted at least 2 weeks before the internship/employment start date).
  2. Complete the CPT request form. List your adviser as “Tina Truong” and use “ttruong00@berkeley.edu” in the email field.
  3. Once both forms are received, Tina Truong will send you the enrollment code for CHEM or CHMENG 197 with Undergraduate Dean Roya Maboudian as the instructor. Please also review the “CoC CPT Report” information below.
  4. Students who want to enroll in CHEM or CHMENG 197 units after the add/drop deadline need to submit a late class schedule change request prior to submitting the CPT Request e-form.

Please note the following:

  • 1 unit = 3 hrs/week
  • Units are for P/NP only
  • CHEM and CHMENG 197 units must be paid for
  • Summer CPT participants will be responsible for paying the enrollment fee required for the course.

CoC CPT Report

At the end of the semester please submit a reflection through the Research & Internship Summary Form. Obtain your supervisor's signature on your reflection to earn a "P" grade - to be assigned by Tina Turong.

Your written reflection should discuss how chemistry or chemical engineering concepts were applied in a practical, real-world context. The length of the paper should correspond to the number of units for which you are enrolled (see guidelines below). This reflection is due by the last day of the semester.

  • 1 unit -- 1-3 pp (250-750 words)
  • 2 units -- 2-4 pp (500-1000 words)
  • 3- 4 units -- 3-5 pp (750-1250 words)

OPT (Optional Practical Training) Form Guidelines and Process

Optional Practical Training is a 12-month work authorization available to F-1 international students who have been full-time students for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the U.S. in their field of study after graduation. Students normally apply for OPT in their last semester.

There is also a 24-month STEM OPT Extension available for Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Chemical Engineering majors. 

The Berkeley International Office (BIO) requires OPT applicants to review their OPT tutorial (PDF) for a complete overview of the complex and time-sensitive application process. We strongly recommend that you review all OPT information on the BIO web site before submitting the F-1 OPT 1-20 Request eform (access requires your CalNet ID). A link to the form is available in the “How to Apply” section of the OPT web page.