Day 1 CPT Universities in California

For international students seeking to gain practical work experience while pursuing their studies in the United States, Day 1 CPT programs offer an excellent opportunity. Here, we provide an overview of four prominent universities offering these programs in California: Westcliff University, California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM), Sofia University, and Humphreys University.

Day 1 CPT Universities in California

Westcliff University

Programs Offered:

• Master's Level: MBA (STEM), MSEM (STEM), TESOL, MSIT (STEM), MSCS (STEM)
• Doctoral Level: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA); Doctor of Education (EdD)

Key Details:

• Intakes: Jan / Mar / May / Jun / Aug / Oct
• Onsite Frequency: 1 per semester
• On-Site Campuses: Irvine, CA; Miami, FL; Santa Monica, CA
• Annual Tuition (doctoral programs): $14,100/year

Overview: Westcliff University is a private for-profit institution accredited by WASC, with campuses in Irvine, Santa Monica, Miami, and Orlando. Known for its Day 1 CPT programs, Westcliff enables international students to start working from the first day of their studies. The university offers a variety of programs at both master’s and doctoral levels. With six enrollment windows annually, Westcliff provides flexibility and continuous education opportunities. Tuition ranges from $11,400 to $15,390 for master’s programs and $12,825 to $13,425 for doctoral programs. The curriculum combines theoretical and practical knowledge, ensuring students are job-ready. The university also offers robust support through scholarships, webinars, and a low Request for Evidence (RFE) rate. For more details, please visit Westcliff University.

California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM)

Programs Offered:

• MBA

Key Details:

• Intakes: Jan / Mar / May / Jun / Aug / Oct
• Onsite Frequency: 2 per semester
• On-Site Campus: Alhambra, CA
• Annual Tuition: $13,000/year

Overview: CIAM, located in Alhambra, California, is a non-profit university accredited by WASC and several other bodies. It offers Day 1 CPT programs, allowing international students to start working immediately. CIAM’s MBA programs specialize in Project Management and Business Analytics, integrating practical work experience through experiential internship courses. The program requires on-site attendance twice per semester, providing hands-on experience. The total program tuition is approximately $24,000, with scholarships available for high-achieving students. CIAM partners with notable companies like Universal Studios and Coca-Cola, offering valuable consulting opportunities. The university emphasizes practical learning without exams. For more information, please visit CIAM.

Sofia University

Programs Offered:

• Master's Level: MBA, MBA-Data Analytics (STEM), MS Computer Science (STEM)
• Doctoral Program: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Key Details:

• Intakes: Jan / Apr / Jul / Oct
• Onsite Frequency: 1 per month
• On-Site Campuses: Palo Alto, CA; Costa Mesa, CA
• Annual Tuition: $17,100/year

Overview: Established in 1975, Sofia University offers Day 1 CPT programs accredited by WASC and the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Located in Palo Alto and Costa Mesa, Sofia University provides easy access to Silicon Valley and Los Angeles. The university offers graduate programs with CPT options, including MSCS, MBA, MBA-Data Analytics, and DBA. These programs allow students to work from the first day of their courses, with monthly on-site attendance typically on weekends. Sofia University supports students with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, making it a dependable choice for maintaining F1 visa status while gaining practical work experience. For more details, please visit Sofia University.

Humphreys University

Programs Offered:

• MBA-IT (STEM)

Key Details:

• Intakes: Jan / Apr / Jul / Oct
• Onsite Frequency: 1 per semester
• On-Site Campus: Stockton, CA
• Annual Tuition: $9,333/year

Overview: Humphreys University, established in 1896, is a private, non-profit institution accredited by WASC. Located in Stockton, California, it offers a Day 1 CPT program for international students in the MBA with an Information Technology concentration. The program is structured as a hybrid model, requiring on-site attendance once per semester with the rest of the coursework completed online. Spanning 27 months, the program includes practical internships. With an annual tuition of approximately $9,333, Humphreys University is one of the more affordable options, emphasizing a supportive learning environment and opportunities for real-world business engagement. For more details, please visit Humphreys University.

Comparison of Day 1 CPT Universities in California

Day 1 CPT Universities Tuition Highlights:

• Humphreys University: Offers the most affordable tuition, making it the most cost-effective option.
• Westcliff University: Has the highest tuition, reflecting its premium location and diverse program offerings.

Day 1 CPT Universities Total Tuition:

• Humphreys University: $21,000 total, $9,333 annual
• CIAM: $26,652 total, $13,000 annual
• Sofia University: $24,000-$28,000 total, $11,200-$12,000 annual
• Westcliff University: $28,620 (Master's), $51,300 (Doctoral), $12,265 (Master's), $12,825 (Doctoral)

Day 1 CPT Universities Onsite Frequency:

• Sofia University: Requires on-site attendance three to four times per semester, more frequent compared to other institutions.
• CIAM: Requires on-site attendance twice per semester.
• Westcliff University and Humphreys University: Requires on-site attendance once per semester.

Day 1 CPT Universities Program Varieties:

• Westcliff University: Offers the most diverse range of programs, including both master’s and doctoral levels across various disciplines.
• Sofia University: Offers master's and doctoral level programs, suitable for students with multiple master’s degrees or those seeking longer study periods in the US.
• CIAM and Humphreys University: Focus primarily on MBA and related fields.

Day 1 CPT Universities Locations:

• Sofia University: Campuses in Palo Alto (Northern California) and Costa Mesa (Southern California).
• Humphreys University: Located in Stockton, Northern California.
• CIAM: Located in Alhambra, Southern California.
• Westcliff University: Multiple campuses, providing broad geographical access across Southern California.

Day 1 CPT Universities Flexibilities:

• All Universities: Offer multiple intakes throughout the year, providing flexibility for students to start their programs at convenient times.

Conclusion

Day 1 CPT programs at Day 1 CPT Universities, Westcliff University, CIAM, Sofia University, and Humphreys University provide international students with valuable opportunities to gain practical work experience while pursuing their studies. These programs integrate academic learning with real-world applications, preparing graduates for the job market. Each institution offers unique benefits, including flexible enrollment, scholarship opportunities, and partnerships with leading companies.

For international students aiming to enhance their professional skills and maintain their F1 visa status, these universities represent excellent choices. Students can select the best fit for their educational and professional goals.