Employment & Internships

Your on-campus employer will provide a work authorization for you to provide to our office. (https://www.msudenverjobs.com/postings/search ) Upon approval, you will be able to work:

1. 1. 20 hours a week during the semester
   2. 40 hours/week during Winter/Summer breaks

If your program offers or requires CPT, please meet with the DSO to discuss your specific situation. CPT must meet certain criteria including being registered for a course congruent with the training. CPT:

1. 1. Occurs before the student’s program end date on the Form I-20
   2. Training is an integral part of the school’s established curriculum.
   3. Training relates directly to the student’s major area of study.
   4. Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific length of time.
   5. Students must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.
   6. CPT must be authorized before the student can begin work.
   7. Students can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time.
   8. One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT.

NOTE: Students doing CPT can still retain their 20hrs/week on-campus employment.

If you are interested in OPT, please meet with a DSO to discuss your specific situation.

1. 1. Students do not have to secure training before the DSO can recommend OPT.
   2. Allows the student to work for any employer, if the training relates to the student’s major course of study
   3. Can occur before or after the student’s program end date (See DSO).
   4. Students are eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT authorization, when they change to a higher educational level. (Example: Undergraduate Degree> OPT> Graduate Degree> OPT)

Under certain rare circumstances students may work outside of the reasons listed above. DSO approval is required.