Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an option for off campus employment authorization that requires:
- the student is enrolled full time in coursework
- the employment fulfills degree requirements as part of "an integral part of an established curriculum."
ALL students interested in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) should view the CPT video before completing the CPT Application at ISSAlink.
CPT Quick Links
CPT Video CPT Application Process ISSAlink CPT Application
This page includes information about Curricular Practical Training, including:
- Eligibility requirements for CPT
- CPT Application Process
- CPT Timelines
- Important Notes about CPT (related to major, full or part time, limits on CPT)
CPT Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training authorization, the student, employment, and course have specific requirements.
The student must:
- be maintaining valid F-1 status
- have been enrolled full-time on current SEVIS record for at least one academic year
- be enrolled for duration of CPT authorization
- enroll in corresponding credited course that requires off campus employment (unless employment is required for all students in program)
The employment must:
- be directly related to the student's major
- be an integral part of the student's course of study through program requirements or course requirements (defined below)
- be documented in written offer of employment prior to application, as CPT Is employer, position, and time specific
The credited course enrollment must:
- count towards credits for graduation
- appear on the student’s transcript
- be listed in the school’s course catalog with the assigned number of credits
- have an available description of the course that clearly defines the course objectives
PLEASE NOTE: CPT authorization is not guaranteed. Not every Notre Dame college or program has a program or course requirement that allows for CPT authorization, so students must speak with their DUS/DGS or academic, thesis, or dissertation advisor to determine opportunities within their respective program.
Determining "integral part of an established curriculum"
CPT is defined by US immigration regulations as employment that is an “integral part of an established curriculum." An employment experience is an integral part of a student’s course of study if it is required of ALL students in that program or if it is required for a particular course within the program of study.
| CPT Application Process |
|---|
| Review the CPT website and application process. |
|
Obtain documentation confirming employment. This could be an offer letter, but it should be on company letterhead and we strongly recommend it includes the following information:
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| Submit the CPT Application form in ISSAlink. |
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Ensure your academic advisor completes and submits the CPT Advisor Recommendation form. Once you submit the CPT application, your academic advisor will receive a link to a recommendation eform |
| Register for the qualifying academic course. |
| ISSA processes the CPT application request and issues new Form I-20 with CPT Authorization (endorsement on page 2 of Form I-20) |
| Present Form I-20 with CPT Authorization to employer |
It is the student's responsibility to update ISSA with any changes to employment, including employer, dates of employment, changes of full-time or part-time status, or position title.
Timelines
We recommend that student's submit the CPT Application form at least four weeks prior to the proposed start date. Current ISSA processing time for ISSAlink forms is 8 business days from receipt of advisor's recommendation.
ISSA cannot authorize CPT until the student is enrolled in the qualifying academic course.
The student is not authorized to begin working until they have their new I-20 with CPT authorization and the authorization start date listed on the Form I-20 has been reached. Any participation in employment outside of the CPT authorization dates listed on the I-20 is a violation of the F-1 status.
ISSA cannot retroactively authorize students for CPT. All employment start dates must be after the date authorization is requested.
Important Notes about CPT
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Related to major | All employment authorized for CPT must be related to the student's major on their Form I-20 |
| Part-time CPT | Defined as 20 hours or less per week and can be authorized during any term; does not impact OPT eligibility |
| Full-time CPT | Defined as more than 20 hours per week and can only be authorized during academic year if required for completion of academic program (e.g. Clinical Psychology internships); authorization for 12 months or more impacts OPT eligiblity |
| CPT Limit | The regulations do not define an aggregate limit on CPT, but students who are authorized for more than 12 months of full-time CPT are not eligible to apply for post-completion OPT. |
| Employer & Position specific | A new CPT authorization is required if the student changes employers, positions with the same employer, or full-time/part-time designation, which will require an updated letter confirming employment details |
| Coursework completed | CPT cannot be authorized once the student has completed all required coursework; exceptions may apply for graduate students who require CPT to complete thesis or dissertation research. Students who are in their final semester cannot request authorization past the last day of classes. |
| Full-time enrollment | Students must continue to enroll in a full course of study during the academic year while authorized for CPT. |
| Approval from non-ISSA source | A letter, signature, or verbal approval from another campus office—such as the Center for Career Development or a program advisor—DOES NOT constitute employment authorization for immigration purposes. |
PLEASE NOTE: Optional Practical Training (OPT) may offer an alternative to CPT for students who are interested in pursuing off campus employment opportunities. This includes 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.
Working off campus without prior authorization has significant consequences on a student's SEVIS record and their ability to continue their program at Notre Dame. Please consult ISSA regarding any off campus opportunities prior to participating, including Notre Dame sponsored opportunities, like the Silicon Valley Program or dissertation research, to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.
Again, please contact ISSA regarding off campus internships and employment opportunities prior to beginning participation. We want you to access the many opportunities your Notre Dame degree provides and ensure that you maintain your compliance with F-1 immigration regulations.