Curricular practical training and internship information
The robotics and autonomous systems degree program allows students to complete a maximum of three semesters of internships as curricular practical training (CPT). Please be aware that completing more than 12 months of internship revokes the use of optional practical training (OPT).
Catalog description of internship (CSE/BME/EEE/MAE/EGR 584): Work performed in an industrial setting that provides practical experience and adds value to the classroom and research learning processes.
Robotics and autonomous systems CPT information
To be eligible for CPT, you need to meet International Students and Scholars Center and robotics and autonomous systems program eligibility requirements:
International Students and Scholars Center
- Be enrolled in your current degree program for a minimum of one academic year
- Internship credit should be listed on your plan of study (iPOS)
- You must receive academic credit for your internship
- You must have a physical presence on campus during the spring or fall semester
For more information, please refer to the International Students and Scholars Center CPT website.
Robotics and autonomous systems
- You must be a full-time on campus F-1 visa student
- Your GPA must meet minimum requirements stated in the handbook
- You must have an approved iPOS on file with the appropriate CPT credits listed in the appropriate semester(s)
- You must not have completed all of your required coursework or required credits
- Refer to the handbook for specific restrictions on out-of-state internships during fall and spring semesters
- Students cannot be a research assistant or teaching assistant when taking part in an internship
For more information, please refer to the appropriate student handbook.
Student who wish to complete an internship need to be aware of several key pieces of information:
- Internships cannot start before the semester or session students enroll in the CPT credit (CSE/EEE/MAE/EGR 584). For example, if you are interested in doing an internship in the summer semester, you cannot start working until the summer semester officially starts on the first day of classes.
- Internship end dates can be the last day of classes and last until the day before classes start in the following semester, unless it is the student’s final semester. In that case, contact your academic advisor. Refer to the academic calendar for dates.
- Registration for internships must be done in the appropriate registration periods. Late registration is not permitted, and there are no exceptions.
- If you are a research assistant or a teaching assistant, you cannot do an internship while you are employed by the department.
- If you are an MS thesis student, your faculty mentor needs to approve of your internship and will need to sign the registration request form.
- You cannot do CPT if you have completed all of your degree requirements. If you have completed all of your degree requirements and are about to graduate, you should apply for pre-OPT instead of CPT. Please speak to the International Students and Scholars Center for more information.
- After the internship period ends, a report with a minimum length of two pages is required before a grade and credit are given. Please see the robotics and autonomous systems CPT report cover page for instructions on what should be included in the report.
- Renege policy: It is unethical for students to continue to seek or consider other employment opportunities once an offer has been accepted. You must stop looking for employment once you accept an offer.
- Submit the required forms and follow all instructions before registering for the appropriate CPT credit and filling out the International Students and Scholars CPT online form.
After the internship period ends, a report with a minimum length of two pages is required before a grade and credit are given. Please see the robotics and autonomous systems CPT report cover page for instructions on what should be included in the report. The final report should be submitted to your internship’s industry supervisor for comments and approval. It should also be sent to your thesis chair for approval if you are a thesis student. The report and cover sheet should be emailed to your assigned academic advisor for the graduate program chair to review. Failure to receive this report will result in a failing grade, which will impact your GPA.
RAS post-CPT report and cover page
Forms, deadlines and instructions for all robotics and autonomous systems programs
Each department has different deadlines on when you can submit your internship paperwork to them for processing. Refer to the appropriate section below for your program’s information.
Artificial intelligence concentration students should read through the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence CPT website, follow all deadlines and fill out the required forms.
Biomedical engineering concentration students should read through the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering internship website, follow all deadlines and fill out the required forms.
Electrical engineering concentration students need to fill out the Adobe Sign application below. You may use the PDF of the document to see what information you will need prior to initiating your request. Please use the correct email address listed below in Adobe Sign as your advisor’s email.
PDF to use when preparing your CPT application (do not fill this out and email it to your advisor)
EEE 584 CPT application request (Adobe Sign to be completed by student)
Mechanical and aerospace engineering concentration students should read through the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy CPT website, follow all deadlines and fill out the required forms.
Systems engineering concentration students should read through The Polytechnic School CPT website, follow all deadlines and fill out the required forms.