Professional Internship and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

This course serves to allow students to pursue internships and curricular practical training (CPT) with an approved music-related organization that is external to the School of Music, in an area related to the student's academic program, giving exposure to and participation in professional music-related activities. Full documentation and approval of internship and CPT activities required. The default credit will always be 0 credits unless a student, with the faculty advisor's support, petitions the appropriate academic committee (UG or Grad) with a detailed proposal outlining the academic nature, content, and scope of the work.

Professional Internship and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT and MUS 459 (Professional Internship) – Updated October 2025 – Click for Info

For CPT and MUS 459 requests, please contact Jenny Phillips.

MUS 459: Professional Internship

Students completing an internship may earn academic credit for the experience by registering for MUS 459: Professional Internship. If you are interested in enrolling in MUS 459 during the academic year, please review the five steps below.

STEP ONE: Review the Procedures for Internship document.

STEP TWO: To request permission to enroll in MUS 459: Professional Internship, please complete the Internship Request Approval Form. The internship supervisor and faculty instructor must sign this document. It should then be sent electronically to the Instructor of Record, Jenny Phillips. This form is required for every internship opportunity, so if you have multiple jobs, you will need to fill out multiple request forms.

STEP THREE: If your enrollment is approved, she will email you the notification and enroll you in MUS 459: Professional Internship.

STEP FOUR: A new CPT form is required for every paid position and must be submitted seven (7) days before the start of employment. International students who wish to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) should review the online documentation provided by ISSS. To apply for CPT, complete the online application on the ISSS website. Please select Jennifer Phillips as the CPT departmental approver. Log out

STEP FIVE: Upon completion of the internship (or at the end of each semester of enrollment in MUS 459), the following document (Student’s evaluation) must be submitted electronically.

Please direct questions regarding MUS 459: Professional Internship to Jenny Phillips.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

What is Curricular Practical Training?

CPT allows students with F-1 visas to engage in temporary off-campus employment.
The employment must have a direct connection to the student’s major field of study and be a crucial component of their academic program.
CPT is authorized by ISSS upon receipt of the correct application materials.

Because field-related work opportunities in music are not required for a graduate degree in music, students must register for a class with a formal work component (MUS 459 Professional Internship).

Who is eligible?

F-1 students must have completed one full academic year of full-time study in the U.S. immediately before the semester in which they request CPT work authorization. If you are unsure if you qualify for CPT, please get in touch with ISSS.