The Experiential Education option is a unique offering in the College of Engineering. It is designed to integrate academic study with practical experience in industry, business, government, or a research organization. During the experience, students suspend full-time coursework and work under the supervision of a qualified professional in an internship or co-op position.
Placements vary in length, typically from 3 to 6 months, but in some cases longer, and coincide with the academic calendar (fall, spring, summer semesters):
- Students will be enrolled in a non-credit course (EK498)
- No leave of absence is required: students doing full-time co-ops or internships in fall or spring semesters maintain their status as full-time students
Part-time positions are occasionally available with Boston-area companies, often as continuations of full-time placements:
- Students will be enrolled in a non-credit course (EK497)
- Students with part-time fall or spring positions must take at least two courses to maintain full-time student status
Note: International students must have CPT authorization to participate, and are only permitted to have a placement lasting a single term; 6-month placements are not permitted.
Students are encouraged to begin the planning process in the fall semester of sophomore year to assure smooth integration with coursework. Participation in Experiential Education may delay a student’s graduation date.
Experiential Education Program Requirements
- Undergraduates must have completed their first year of instruction
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in “Good Standing” with the university
- Students must have at least one semester of instruction to complete after returning from full-time position (Seniors in their final semester are not eligible for full-time experiential education)
- Students must have the approval of their Faculty Academic Advisor and CDO Career Advisor
Instructions for Undergraduate Students - International
To be eligible to work off campus, undergraduate international students must have a declared concentration with an experiential component. Under Federal F1 Visa regulations, fall and spring semester internships may be part-time only. Summer internships may be full-time or part-time.
Before beginning work, international students must:
1. Declare an Engineering Concentration and complete the prerequisite course(s) for the Experiential Component.
Students should begin this process as soon as they begin to consider internships and co-ops.
2. Obtain a job offer in writing from the employer, including hours per week, start and end dates, employer location, and salary information (if paid)
3. Submit an Experiential Component Proposal to the Concentration Coordinator.
Proposals should be submitted at least 3-4 weeks prior to employment start date. Technology Innovation Concentration deadline is April 1st.
4. Complete an Undergraduate Course Planning Sheet (fillable PDF) and have it signed by their Faculty Academic Advisor and a CDO Advisor.
Not required for summer term.
5. Complete an Internship Acceptance Form (online form)
6. Complete the “To Be Completed By Student” sections of ISSO’s Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application Form and Acknowledgement (fillable PDF)
7. Submit CPT Form to a CDO Advisor to be completed and signed
8. Submit completed and signed CPT Form to an ISSO Advisor for approval.
CPT Forms must be submitted at least 2-3 weeks prior to employment start date. Under Federal F1 Visa regulations ISSO approval is required before student may start working.
At the conclusion of the experience, to receive a passing grade and complete the concentration experiential component, students must:
1. Complete an Internship Completion Survey (online form)
2. Have their supervisor complete an Intern Performance Appraisal (online form)
3. Submit an Experiential Component Summary form to the Concentration Coordinator.
Summaries are due 2 weeks after employment ends.
Instructions for Undergraduate Students - Domestic
Instructions for Graduate Students
