Curricular
Practical Training 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.
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:
1) Part-time CPT: it 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.
2) Full-time CPT: it 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.
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