Curricular Practical Training (CPT) F-1 Student Academic Employment

International students in F-1 status are eligible in some circumstances to obtain employment authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is defined by US immigration regulations as employment that is an “integral part of an established curriculum.” The regulations further define CPT as “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” Sponsored employment is structured employment that is monitored by Notre Dame through the student’s Academic Department.

That a particular employment experience is an integral part of a student’s course of study may be established if it meets one of the following conditions:

1. The proposed employment is required of all students for the completion of the academic program. 2. The proposed employment is required for a particular course within the program of study from which the students can choose. For this condition to apply the course credits must count toward graduation and the course must appear on the student’s transcript. The course must also be listed in the school’s course catalogue with the assigned number of credits and the name of the faculty member teaching the course clearly indicated. There should also be a description of the course that clearly defines the course objectives. This condition may also apply to required thesis, dissertation or other research which corresponds to a course listed in the catalog in which the student must enroll to complete the academic program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for employment authorization for Curricular Practical training, all of the following conditions must be met:

● Employment must be an integral part of the course of study as defined above.
● Student must enroll in a corresponding course during the semester in which the employment for CPT is authorized.
● Employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study.
● Student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one academic year.
-Exceptions exist for graduate students who are required by their academic programs to participate in internships prior to be being enrolled for a full academic year. This currently applies only to ACE and E&Y students, though the ISO may verify this requirement for other academic programs when required.
-Students previously enrolled in another immigration status may count lawful full-time enrollment toward this requirement. For example, a student enrolled for one academic year in H-4 status who changes immigration status to F-1 would meet this eligibility requirement immediately and would not required to wait an additional academic year.
● Student must be maintaining lawful F-1 status.
● Student must maintain a full course of study as otherwise required during CPT.
● Participation in CPT must not delay completion of the academic program.
● CPT is employer-specific; student must have written offer of employment prior to application.
● No aggregate limit on CPT is established by regulations but CPT authorization may affect eligibility for OPT.
● Students may be authorized for part-time or full-time employment depending on the situation:
-Part-time CPT is defined as employment for 20 hours per week or less and may be authorized during any semester. Students must maintain a full course of study during the fall and spring term. Part-time CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT.
-Full-time CPT is defined as employment for more than 20 hours per week. Full-time CPT may be authorized during the fall and spring semesters only if it is required for completion of the academic program. Authorization for 12 months or more full-time CPT makes student ineligible for OPT at the same academic level.
● CPT authorized for an off-campus employer does not affect eligibility for regular on-campus student employment.
● A new CPT endorsement is required for the student to begin work with a different employer, in a new position or for a different number of hours per week.
● CPT employment may not be authorized or continue after the completion of all required coursework.
Exceptions exist for graduate students who require CPT to complete thesis or dissertation research.
● CPT employment may not be authorized or continue after the student has completed the degree requirements of the academic program.

Application Process

To apply for employment authorization for Curricular Practical Training, students should complete the following steps:

● Attend a CPT Information Session presented by the Notre Dame Immigration Services Office.
The ISO offers CPT Information Sessions periodically throughout the year. Scheduled sessions are announced in the ISO weekly email to international students and posted on the ISO web site. CPT application packets are distributed only to students who attend a CPT information session or who complete an individual information session with an ISO advisor.
● Make a CPT appointment with an ISO advisor.
● Complete and submit a CPT application packet and review that application with an ISO advisor.
● There is no application fee for CPT.
● Current ISO processing time is 2-5 work days.
● Documentation of employment authorization is in the form of an endorsement on page three of the student’s I-20 form.

Other Important Information

Curricular Practical Training is just one type of employment authorization available to F-1 students. Optional Practical Training (OPT) may offer an alternative to CPT for students who are interested in pursuing employment opportunities for which CPT is not permitted, such as a paid internship or work experience in the student’s field of study for which no course credit is available or that will take place after the completion of all required coursework. Because OPT requires USCIS to approve an application that may take several months to adjudicate, students are advised to discuss any possible employment opportunities with an advisor in the ISO as soon as possible to determine which type of employment authorization may be appropriate.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Students must continue to enroll in a full course of study during the academic year while authorized for employment.

Employment off campus may not begin until student receives an I-20 from the Notre Dame Immigration Services Office that contains an endorsement for CPT and the start date has passed.

A letter, signature or verbal approval from another campus office—such as Career Services or an academic department or advisor—DOES NOT constitute employment authorization for immigration purposes.