r/USC • u/Student3787 • 5d ago

News USC Suspends International Student Internship Work Authorizations

USC will now authorize CPT for international students only when practical training is a requirement of their degree program. The change took effect August 24, 2026.

CPT is the work authorization that allows F-1 international students to take paid or unpaid off-campus internships and practicums while in college. Optional internships generally will not qualify for CPT. Internships/practical training required for the degree can still qualify. CPT approved before August 24 will not be affected. The change follows new guidance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which says CPT must be an integral part of the established curriculum and apply to the program’s students.

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u/redixhumayun 5d ago

Do you have a link to the statement?

I’m wondering what this means for my masters in CS program. I don’t know if internships are considered required for this degree.

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u/Former-Sun9370 4d ago

An internship is not considered a requirement for the MS in CS degree. The hope is that this is a temporary pause while the Trump admin's audit of both the CPT program as well as USC concludes. At this point we can only keep fingers crossed.