CPT Program Manager Jobs
Program Manager CPT jobs let F-1 students apply project planning, stakeholder coordination, and cross-functional leadership skills in a real organizational setting. Your DSO must authorize CPT before your start date, and the role must connect directly to your degree program. Part-time CPT (under 20 hours per week) keeps your full-time CPT eligibility intact for future semesters.
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Get Access To All JobsSummer Scholar Program Application Process
For information on the Buck Summer Scholars Program, please click on this LINK. There are five components to the Summer Scholar Program application. To apply, complete the online application in its entirety. Failure to answer the required fields completely may result in delayed consideration of your application. When you have completed the online application, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation or if you experience any technical issues with the application, please alert HRRequests@buckinstitute.org.
Virtual Information Sessions
Join us for a one-hour Zoom informational session to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, application process, and research opportunities. Sessions will be held:
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 4:30 - 5:30 pm PT
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 4:30 - 5:30 pm PT
https://buckinstitute.zoom.us/j/87622293432
Meeting ID: 876 2229 3432
Program Details
- The Buck Institute will provide housing at Sonoma State University
- Interns receive a total stipend in the $4,000 - $5,000 range in addition to housing
- Travel support will be provided
If you have any questions about the application or the Summer Scholars Program, you may email the Senior Program Manager of Education, Dr. Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Summer Scholar Application
Starred (*) fields must be answered.
- CV or resume - Please limit your CV or resume to 2 pages maximum. In particular, highlight any prior laboratory or research experience. A brief 1- or 2-line description of your specific contribution to each research project is particularly helpful. For instance, the statement "created the expression construct that allowed us to determine protein localization" quickly clarifies your role in the project compared to simply listing the lab and protocols performed. You can delve into the specifics of your research in the scientific statement.
- Personal Statement - Please explain your interest in the Buck Institute and the Summer Scholars Program as well as the research projects you selected above. Highlight any relevant skills to your selected projects and/or connection between past research experiences and your selected projects. Limit your personal statement to 2 pages. You may choose whatever font and spacing you desire, provided the printed document is legible.
- Scientific Statement - We would like to get a sense of you as a researcher. Please highlight your prior research experience. Note that it is more helpful to spotlight your specific contribution to the success of one or two projects rather than simply list procedures that you have performed. Your CV or resume will provide a comprehensive list of all prior research and skills. Explain your contribution to the project both experimentally and intellectually (for instance, what data did you collect and what conclusions did your data produce?). The scientific statement should not exceed 2 pages. You may choose whatever font and spacing you desire, provided the printed document is legible.
- Unofficial transcript - Please provide a copy of your most recent transcript(s) in PDF format. An unofficial transcript is sufficient. The transcript should list grades from all of your completed coursework to date, including those from the 2026 Fall term (semester or quarter). If Fall 2026 grades are not available at the time of submission of the application, make sure the transcript lists courses enrolled for the Fall 2026 term.
- Letter of Recommendation - At least one letter of recommendation must be submitted on your behalf. You may request one additional letter (a maximum of two total letters) be submitted on your behalf. Please download the Letter of Recommendation Directions PDF and give it to each recommender. Note that the Buck Institute will not request the letter. The directions will instruct your recommender to email your recommendation to studentrecs@buckinstitute.org by the application deadline - noon PST on Monday, February 1, 2027 (noon PST 2/1/27). Be sure to ask your recommenders well in advance, so they have plenty of time to meet the deadline. Letters of recommendation sent by the applicant will not be accepted. In case we need to connect with any of your recommenders, please list their names and email addresses as requested on the Summer Scholar Application form.
Summer Scholar Program Application Process
For information on the Buck Summer Scholars Program, please click on this LINK. There are five components to the Summer Scholar Program application. To apply, complete the online application in its entirety. Failure to answer the required fields completely may result in delayed consideration of your application. When you have completed the online application, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation or if you experience any technical issues with the application, please alert HRRequests@buckinstitute.org.
Virtual Information Sessions
Join us for a one-hour Zoom informational session to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, application process, and research opportunities. Sessions will be held:
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 4:30 - 5:30 pm PT
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 4:30 - 5:30 pm PT
https://buckinstitute.zoom.us/j/87622293432
Meeting ID: 876 2229 3432
Program Details
- The Buck Institute will provide housing at Sonoma State University
- Interns receive a total stipend in the $4,000 - $5,000 range in addition to housing
- Travel support will be provided
If you have any questions about the application or the Summer Scholars Program, you may email the Senior Program Manager of Education, Dr. Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Summer Scholar Application
Starred (*) fields must be answered.
- CV or resume - Please limit your CV or resume to 2 pages maximum. In particular, highlight any prior laboratory or research experience. A brief 1- or 2-line description of your specific contribution to each research project is particularly helpful. For instance, the statement "created the expression construct that allowed us to determine protein localization" quickly clarifies your role in the project compared to simply listing the lab and protocols performed. You can delve into the specifics of your research in the scientific statement.
- Personal Statement - Please explain your interest in the Buck Institute and the Summer Scholars Program as well as the research projects you selected above. Highlight any relevant skills to your selected projects and/or connection between past research experiences and your selected projects. Limit your personal statement to 2 pages. You may choose whatever font and spacing you desire, provided the printed document is legible.
- Scientific Statement - We would like to get a sense of you as a researcher. Please highlight your prior research experience. Note that it is more helpful to spotlight your specific contribution to the success of one or two projects rather than simply list procedures that you have performed. Your CV or resume will provide a comprehensive list of all prior research and skills. Explain your contribution to the project both experimentally and intellectually (for instance, what data did you collect and what conclusions did your data produce?). The scientific statement should not exceed 2 pages. You may choose whatever font and spacing you desire, provided the printed document is legible.
- Unofficial transcript - Please provide a copy of your most recent transcript(s) in PDF format. An unofficial transcript is sufficient. The transcript should list grades from all of your completed coursework to date, including those from the 2026 Fall term (semester or quarter). If Fall 2026 grades are not available at the time of submission of the application, make sure the transcript lists courses enrolled for the Fall 2026 term.
- Letter of Recommendation - At least one letter of recommendation must be submitted on your behalf. You may request one additional letter (a maximum of two total letters) be submitted on your behalf. Please download the Letter of Recommendation Directions PDF and give it to each recommender. Note that the Buck Institute will not request the letter. The directions will instruct your recommender to email your recommendation to studentrecs@buckinstitute.org by the application deadline - noon PST on Monday, February 1, 2027 (noon PST 2/1/27). Be sure to ask your recommenders well in advance, so they have plenty of time to meet the deadline. Letters of recommendation sent by the applicant will not be accepted. In case we need to connect with any of your recommenders, please list their names and email addresses as requested on the Summer Scholar Application form.
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Get Access To All JobsProgram Manager CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Program Manager role qualify for CPT authorization?
It qualifies if the work is an integral part of your enrolled curriculum and your DSO approves it before your start date. The role needs to connect to your degree field, not just your general skills. For a business or engineering student, a PM role coordinating cross-functional projects typically satisfies the curriculum integration requirement. Your DSO makes the final determination based on your specific program.
Can I do CPT as a Program Manager at a startup or non-traditional employer?
Yes. CPT authorization depends on the academic connection between the role and your curriculum, not the employer's size or industry. Startups can be strong CPT placements for PM roles because the project scope is often broader and easier to map to multiple degree competencies. Confirm the employer is registered as a legal U.S. entity and can provide a written job description for your DSO's review.
How do I find Program Manager jobs where employers understand CPT?
Search Migrate Mate for Program Manager roles filtered to employers with F-1-friendly hiring history. Many employers list CPT authorization as an accepted work status, which signals their HR team is already familiar with the process and won't require you to educate them about F-1 authorization at the offer stage.
What happens to my CPT if my Program Manager role shifts to a different project mid-internship?
If your responsibilities change significantly, your DSO may need to issue a new or amended CPT authorization to reflect the updated scope. Notify your DSO promptly if your job description changes materially, since CPT authorization is tied to the specific curriculum-integrated activities described in the original approval, not just the job title.
Does CPT experience as a Program Manager count toward OPT STEM extension eligibility?
CPT experience itself doesn't affect STEM OPT eligibility, but your degree field and the role's SOC code both matter. If you graduate with a STEM-designated degree and your post-graduation OPT job falls under a qualifying SOC code, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension regardless of whether your prior CPT role was in program management. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before graduation.