Brown University has indefinitely suspended Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations for international undergraduates, restricting their ability to undertake internships and other off-campus practical training in the United States while studying on F-1 visas.
The university’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) announced the decision on Nov. 11, following a review of federal immigration guidance issued by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Under the revised policy, Brown will no longer approve CPT applications for undergraduates because internships and practical training are not mandatory requirements for completing an undergraduate degree at the university.
Federal guidance behind the decision
The change follows two communications issued by SEVP in August 2026, which tightened its interpretation of eligibility requirements for CPT. Under the federal agency’s interpretation, an internship or practicum must be an integral part of an established academic curriculum. Specifically, it must be required of all students enrolled in the degree program and necessary for graduation.
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Previously, universities could authorize CPT for certain optional internships when students received academic credit and the experience was connected to their academic programs.
The August guidance warned universities that violations of CPT regulations could jeopardize their certification to enroll international students. It also raised concerns about potential consequences for university officials who improperly approve work authorizations.
Reuters reported in August that the guidance had prompted several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, Berkeley, to review or pause certain CPT applications.
Which Brown students are affected?
Brown’s revised policy does not suspend CPT for every international student.
Undergraduates: CPT options are indefinitely suspended because Brown’s undergraduate degree does not require internships or practicums.
Master’s students: Six programs remain eligible because they require a mandatory internship or practicum. These include PRIME, Data Science, Public Affairs, Teaching, Urban Education Policy and Public Health.
PhD students: Generally ineligible because internships and similar practical training are not typically required for doctoral degree completion. Limited exceptions may apply in specific dissertation-related circumstances.
Alternatives for international students
Brown has advised affected students seeking internships for Spring or Summer 2027 to explore pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and other available work authorization pathways.
The university has also outlined certain activities that do not require CPT authorization:
- Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRA), which qualify as on-campus employment.
- Internships conducted outside the United States, where U.S. work authorization is not required because the student is not physically working in the country.
The university’s ISSS office has encouraged students to consult immigration advisers about their individual circumstances and available options.
Wider implications for international students
Brown’s decision comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding employment opportunities for international students at U.S. universities.
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The federal interpretation has prompted concerns among higher education institutions and immigration advocacy groups, particularly over its potential impact on internships, academic credit arrangements and employer recruitment.
A coalition of higher education organizations has challenged the federal government’s interpretation in court, arguing that it represents a departure from more than 35 years of established policy and was introduced without the required formal rulemaking process.
The legal challenge argues that the revised interpretation could disrupt existing academic arrangements and deprive international students of practical training opportunities. For international undergraduates, Brown’s decision means that optional internships in the United States will no longer qualify for CPT through the university under its revised policy. Students will need to explore alternative authorization routes before accepting employment.