Internships

Overview

Ph.D. students in ECE must complete the Internship Application Form to request approval for an internship. International students must also complete all applicable Office of International Education (OIE) requirements before beginning employment. 

The form must be submitted by the semester add deadline for the applicable academic semester. The purpose of this form is to communicate the internship type (part-time or full-time), internship duration, and other relevant details to the ECE Department. 

NOTE: This requirement does not apply to students applying for Post-Completion OPT. Students interested in applying for Post-Completion OPT should consult the OIE Post-Completion OPT webpage. 

All internships must be directly related to the student's research and/or field of study. Prior to accepting an internship position, students must obtain approval from their faculty advisor. Faculty advisors are responsible for determining whether the internship is appropriate in light of the student's research, academic progress, and degree requirements.

Unless otherwise determined by the faculty advisor, a student's Ph.D. stipend is typically adjusted during a part-time internship and paused during a full-time internship.

How to Apply

To request approval for an internship:

1. Obtain approval from your faculty advisor.
2. Complete the Internship Application Form
3. The Senior Ph.D. Advisor will review your submission.
4. If approved, you will receive confirmation that your internship has been approved by the ECE Department. 
   
   NOTE: If you are applying for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), the Senior Academic Advisor will also sign the appropriate advisor recommendation form, which is required to complete your CPT and/or Pre-Completion OPT application. 
5. If applicable: Students who elect to receive internship course credit will be enrolled in the appropriate internship course based on the internship semester and their individual circumstances.

International students must also complete all applicable Office of International Education (OIE) requirements before beginning employment.

Internship for Academic Credit 

The following eligibility requirements, course registration procedures, and assessment requirements, apply to ECE Ph.D. students who wish to receive academic credit for an internship.

Eligibility & Limits for Internship Course Credit 

Students who wish to receive academic credit for an internship will be enrolled in the appropriate 3-unit courses course credit. Internship courses are assigned by semester.

Summer Internship Courses

Students who elect to receive academic credit for a summer internship will be enrolled in one of the following courses per semester (part-time or full-time) will be registered for one of the following courses:

• 18-996 Internship One for Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD Students
• 18-997 Internship Two for Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD Students
• 18-998 Internship Three Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD Students

Academic Year Internships

• 18-986 Part-Time Internship One for Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD Students
• 18-987 Part-Time Internship Two for Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD Students
• 18-988 Part-Time Internship Three for Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD Students

Internship Assessment for Course Credits 

Students enrolled in an internship course for academic credit will be required to complete an Internship Experience Review Report.

ECE Internship courses do not meet at a regularly scheduled time; rather, students will learn independently through practical work experience, gaining insight and knowledge in their field of study. The student’s growth and education will be assessed via the student’s completion of an Internship Experience Review Report.

• The Internship Experience Review Report will be overseen and graded by your ECE Faculty Advisor.
• The ECE Faculty Advisor will assign a grade based on the depth and thoughtfulness of the student’s reflections on the internship experience.
• Completion of this report will be a requirement of this course.

The Faculty Advisor will assess the student’s internship experience by grading the Internship Experience Review Report provided by the student, and alert Senior Ph.D. Advisor, Greta Ruperto, of the student’s final grade by the end of the semester of the internship experience.

Internship Experience Review Report

This requirement applies only to students enrolled in an internship course for academic credit.

Before the end of the academic semester in which the internship takes place, students must submit an Internship Experience Review Report to their ECE Faculty Advisor, addressing the following topics and requirements: 

Scope

• The general scope of the internship (employer, internship position, responsibilities, etc.)
• The ways in which the student has grown professionally as a result of the internship
• New insights and perspectives acquired, challenges that were overcome (in general terms), unexpected aspects of the experience, especially rewarding aspects, etc.
• Additional requirements and/or alternative presentation modalities specified by the Faculty Advisor

Format

• 5 pages or fewer in length (double-spaced)
• Endorsed by the Faculty Advisor upon completion

Confidentiality 

Internship Experience Review Reports must not violate confidentiality agreements with the internship employer or disclose proprietary information. Students should consult their employer if they are uncertain about what information may be included in the report.

For International Students Only

The internship application process for international students involves completing requirements from both the Office of International Education (OIE) and the ECE Department. 

International students who wish to pursue an internship must obtain appropriate work authorization prior to beginning employment.

Work-Authorization Options

Depending on the nature and timing of the internship, F-1 students may apply for either:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT

• Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Note that J-1 students should apply for Academic Training (AT).  

Students should consult with their assigned Foreign Student Advisor in OIE regarding eligibility requirements and the appropriate authorization type. 

Curricular Practical Training

Students holding an F-1 visa who have not yet completed coursework requirements and who wish to work off-campus, must apply for appropriate work authorization. Most F-1 students will request Curricular Practical Training (CPT). 

Students who have completed their coursework requirements may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training if the internship is required for thesis-related data. In such cases, either the employer or the student’s faculty advisor must provide attestation confirming that. For additional guidance regarding the attestation process, students should consult with the CPT PhD Canvas course and/or their assigned Foreign Advisor in OIE.

From the ECE Department perspective, Ph.D. students applying for CPT must first complete the Internship Application Form. Upon submission of the form, the Senior Academic Advisor will review the submission. If approved, the student will be enrolled in the appropriate internship course based on the internship semester and the student’s individual circumstances. The student will then receive an email confirmation from the Senior Ph.D. Advisor verifying internship approval and course enrollment, along with the CPT Academic Advisor Recommendation Form.

If Not Eligible for CPT

It may be appropriate to apply for pre-completion OPT if wanting to pursue an internship. 

International students should reach out to their assigned Foreign Student Advisor (FSA) with any questions on work authorization options.  

Pre-Completion OPT 

Students holding an F-1 visa who have completed coursework requirements, but have not completed the other required milestones in the program, and who wish to work off-campus, must apply for Pre-Completion OPT. 

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization for F-1 students to gain practical off-campus work experience within THEIR field of study that begins and ends before the program completion date. Activity while on Pre-Completion OPT needs to directly relate to the major field of study.

For additional guidance regarding the attestation and request process, students should consult the Pre-Completion OPT webpage in the OIE website. 

From the ECE Department perspective, Ph.D. students applying for Pre-Completion OPT must first complete the Internship Application Form. Upon submission of the form, the Senior Academic Advisor will review the submission. If approved, students will receive an email confirmation from the Senior Ph.D Advisor verifying internship approval, along with the signed Pre-Completion OPT Academic Advisor Recommendation Form.

Post-Completion OPT

Information about Post-Completion OPT is provided on OIE Post-Completion OPT webpage.