Navigating Curricular and Optional Practical Training Challenges

By Madeline Carlson

When it comes to Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorizations, rejections scrutinizing the alignment between a candidate’s academic coursework and their responsibilities held in a CPT/OPT role can create quite an arduous response process.

Whether this challenge arises while the candidate is completing their degree or after they’ve finished it, Park’s experts are eager to assist with the evaluation of this common CPT/OPT challenge.

With a diverse catalogue of specialties, Park’s team of expert evaluators are equipped to evaluate candidate academic credentials and their alignment with held CPT/OPT positions. Through this service, our experts provide a close evaluation of a candidate’s academic coursework, providing detailed analysis that connects the skills and concepts taught in those courses directly to the knowledge areas required to perform the duties of their CPT/OPT roles. Our letters can cover one or multiple CPT and OPT positions held, ensuring that a candidate’s work and skillset are properly recognized and defended.

For example, one of our computer science experts recently completed a letter for a candidate pursuing a PhD in Information Technology and holding a position in cloud engineering. The expert effectively related the courses the candidate completed directly to specific job duties for the position, providing insight into how their coursework aligns with the role’s responsibilities.

If you’re dealing with challenges that scrutinize the correlation between a candidate’s academics and their CPT/OPT position, send us a copy of your client’s transcripts, diploma (if applicable), and job description. Park’s experts will work to provide you with a detailed analysis that refutes these challenges and strengthens your overall case.