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The professional internship course for credit allows ECEE graduate students to receive academic credit for internships that have an academic component suitable for graduate-level coursework.ÌýTaking an internship course for creditÌýis an excellent way to tie a professional experience with your academic career. This courseÌýcan help you gain skills, apply knowledge gained in the classroom in real-world settings,Ìýand earn credit toward your degree while gaining professional experience.

Participation in the program requires an internship agreement between you, aÌýfaculty member from the department who will serve as your instructor for the course, and an industry partner who will employ you in a role that supports the academic goals of the internship.

The classÌýmay be taken during any term following a student's initial enrollment and participation in ECEE graduate programs. International students are required by federal law to have completed one Fall and one Spring semester in order to be eligible for an internship experience.Ìý

Enrollment Details

The course number is ECEN 5930. You cannot self-enroll. You must apply to take the courseat least one week before the start of any semester. If we receive your request after the one week deadline and before the Add deadline of that semester, your submission will be considered but there is no guarantee you will be enrolled. No student can be enrolled after the Add deadline.ÌýTo apply:

1. Complete the ECEEÌýProfessional Internship Agreement formÌýOR if your internship location has their own official CPT letter, you can use that.Ìý
2. Fill out the to have the course instructor review your application and an ECEE advisor enroll you in the course.Ìý

Submitting this application does not guarantee eligibility for credit for an internship experience. The academic plan must be approved before you are registered, and all requirements for an internship course for credit experience must be met.

You must also complete theÌýImpact of an Internship on Financial Aid and/or Scholarships Form. If completing an internship during an academic term (fall or spring), youÌýmust submit this form before leaving on an internship assignment. This is to make sure that any scholarships or financial aid will not be affected by your internship experience.

Academic Credit and Contact Hours

Each credit hour will represent a minimum of 40 contact hours of documented internship activities. Therefore a 2-credit internship will represent a minimum of 80 contact hours, and a 3-credit internship will represent a minimum of 120 hours of internship activity. Students may be engaged for more than the minimum contact hours required at their option and by arrangement with their internship sponsor.

Class Registration Fees

There is a tuition cost associated with this course. Class registration fees are due in the Bursar’s Office by the deadline specified by the university. If not received by this deadline, a late fee will be assessed. Failure to register and pay the required fee means that the internship experience cannot be used for credit.

General Course Requirements

You may count a maximum of 3 credits of this class toward your degree. If needed, you can take the class multiple times, but can only count 3 credit hours totalÌýtoward fulfilling degree requirements.

These credits count as elective creditÌýfor Professional Master’s students, and may count toward the course-requirements for PhD and traditional MS students. PhD and traditional MS students should contact their advisor to determine where the internship can be included.

Tuition for this course will be the same as any regular graduate-level course; the rate depends on your specific degree program.

At the end of your internship, you will produce a report that will document your accomplishments with respect to meeting the academic goals of the internship. The course faculty member will review your report and will use it to determine your final grade in the class.

Course Restrictions

• You mustÌý. The application process will require you to specify the academic goals of the internship along with a point-of-contact at the company who has committed to ensuring that your internship experience will help you meet those academic goals.
• The graduate advisors, in collaboration with the faculty member assigned to the course, will review your application, and you will only be allowed to enroll upon approval.
• The application process for a given semester will have strict timelines and registration deadlines. You will need to meet all the requirements to enroll in the course. The agreement for the internship course for credit is to be completed and approved by all parties prior to the initiation of the internship, and no later than one week prior to the end of the registration period for the term the internship will take place.
• You must compete the application process and be approvedÌýbeforeÌýyou can take the internship. You cannot participate in an internship and then register for this course after the fact.Ìý

GPA Requirements

• You must have at least a 3.00 GPA to apply. Continued performance at this level is a prerequisite for beginning an internshipÌýexperience.
• You are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00, be in good academic standing, and maintain satisfactory progress toward degree requirements.

Requirements for International Students

International students have different guidelines for internshipsÌýfrom International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

International students must have their internshipÌýapproved by an international student advisor before the first day of work by completingÌýthe ISSS Curricular Practical Training (CPT) e-form, accessed through MyISSS.ÌýWhen filling out this form, send the approval to your academic program advisor, not your faculty advisor.Ìý

Please Note: On-Campus Presence Requirements:ÌýYou may participate in CPT full-time or part-time, and ISSS will review your offer letter and how many hours you will be working from the company to issue the authorization. Please keep in mind that anything over 20 hours per week is considered full-time CPT. International students in F-1 status are required to maintain an on-campus presence every fall and spring semester.Ìý They must do so in summer only if that particular summer is their graduation semester.ÌýÌýAn international student in F-1 status can have an internship opportunity that is outside of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ during the fall or spring semester if the student will be working remotely from ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ and maintaining their on-campus presence. If you are wishing to participate in a hybrid CPT experience (a student maintains on-campus presence and full-time enrollment but sometimes travels outside of Boulder commuting distance to participate in on-site internship activities),Ìýyou should set up an advising session with ISSS to understand the eligibility requirements for such authorization as well as the documentation necessary to prove maintenance of status through on-campus presence.

Please Note: Final Semester Students: If it is your final semester of your program and less than a full-time course load is required to complete your degree, you must submit a Confirmation of Final Semester e-Form (available in MyISSS portal).ÌýÌýYour academic program advisor will approve on the form the specific course you needÌýto graduate. Even if you are in your final semester, you must still demonstrate on-campus presence through enrollment in at least 1 in-person course. You may count up to 3 credits of online/remote/distance education courses towards the credits needed to complete your academic program requirements in your final semester. You are able to participate in an approved authorization of CPT while in your final semester even if you only have one required course left because it is an authorized reduce course load in your final semester. However, keep in mind that CPT must align with an internship course.

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