For international students already studying in the U.S.—especially those working full-time while maintaining F-1 status—Day-1 CPT programs are often a practical solution.
But there’s one major frustration almost everyone encounters:
Most Day 1 CPT programs do NOT allow a Summer Break.
This means:
No time off in the summer
No chance to step away from classes
No travel freedom
No CPT during a “vacation term”
Many students quickly realize that Day-1 CPT often comes with year-round academic requirements.
So, the big question is:
“Are there ANY Day-1 CPT schools that offer a fixed Summer Break with NO classes?”
Surprisingly, yes. And one school stands out more than any other: Salem University.
Let’s break it down.
Before we talk about the exception, it’s important to understand the standard model used by most institutions providing Day 1 CPT programs.
Typical Day-1 CPT structure:
3 semesters back-to-back
Mandatory enrollment every term
Only after completing three semesters can you take one term off
And during that break, CPT is usually not allowed
So even when a break does exist, students cannot work on CPT, making it essentially useless for those with full-time jobs.
This is why many working international students feel “locked” into continuous study with little room to rest or travel.
Among Day-1 CPT schools, Salem University is one of the rare institutions that offers a genuine, predictable, no-class Summer Break every single year.
This is unusual—and extremely valuable—for students who need flexibility.
At Salem University, the policy is simple:
In other words, students can actually take a real Summer Break while maintaining their program continuity.
This kind of flexibility is almost impossible to find at other Day-1 CPT universities.
For international students working full-time, this means:
Salem’s academic structure is straightforward and easy to plan around:
Unlike programs that constantly rotate terms without pause, Salem offers predictable academic timing. This benefits students who need to coordinate:
Predictability is rare in Day-1 CPT programs—Salem provides exactly that.
Many Day 1 CPT schools only provide master’s degrees. Salem University offers more variety, including:
A great fit for students in software engineering, analytics, IT management, cybersecurity, and tech roles.
This is a major advantage for students who want:
Having both MSIT and DBA options makes Salem one of the most flexible Day 1 CPT choices on the market.
To summarize:
• Most Day-1 CPT schools require continuous enrollment
• Summer Break is not available at the majority of institutions
• CPT typically stops during vacation terms
• Students must balance work + classes year-round
Salem University breaks that pattern by offering:
• A fixed Summer Break (no classes)
• A predictable academic schedule
• More freedom for travel and personal planning
• Two solid program options (MSIT & DBA)
If you’re looking for a Day 1 CPT school that gives you room to breathe—while still supporting your professional career—Salem University is one of the strongest and rarest options available.
Click here to learn more about Salem University>