Campus international undergraduate students can no longer receive academic credit for most internships completed in study abroad programs, including the University of California Washington Center program, or UCDC.
This comes as a response to two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement guidance memos sent to campus in August. The federal guidance memos stated that international students can only use internship experience to receive academic credit if it is integral to the completion of their degree, and is “directly related to the student’s major area of study.” If campus does not ensure this requirement is followed, it may lose its ability to enroll international students.
As a result, campus indefinitely paused the processing of applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, a program that allows international students to receive credits toward their degree when pursuing internships and work experience.
“We will need more time to consult with legal counsel, and to develop new processes that align with ICE requirements,” said Berkeley International Office Director Ivor Emmanuel.
Under Department of Homeland Security standards, international students living in the United States through an F-1 visa are required to enroll in a full-time course load to keep their visa status, unless exempted by special circumstances.
According to Emmanuel, international students who had planned to use current internships for academic credit still have to meet this requirement and “will have to identify alternate courses.”
Emmanuel specified that CPT programs required for students’ majors or degree programs will not be suspended. The Berkeley International Office website maintains a list of programs that require internships for their completion.
“The contributions of international students at UC Berkeley cannot be overstated,” Emmanuel wrote in an email. “They are an important part of our mission and we remain committed to ensuring that their academic experience is fulfilling and rewarding.”
Rachel Zaentz, the UC Office of the President’s senior director of strategic and critical communications, stated that campuses, not the UC system, advise UCDC on international student work authorizations.
While UC Davis also indefinitely suspended Course Credit CPT applications, UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars indicates that students with fully processed applications and who have already received a CPT I-20 can still participate in their specified work opportunities for academic credit.
“We do not take this decision lightly as we know the importance that Course Credit CPT plays in these students’ academic journey,” wrote Emmanuel. “We will support our international students to the full extent allowed by law.”