Information for International Engineering Students Considering a Co-Op
International Students / Engineering students on F-1 Visa
CPT/Co-op
Students enrolled in the McKelvey School of Engineering have the option to participate in the Engineering Co-op Program. Typically co-op is a summer/semester program lasting about seven months. It must be full-time, paid, and related to your engineering degree. Students enrolled in co-op do not pay tuition and maintain their full-time student status. Scholarships and financial aid eligibility are waived and used at a later semester.
Because co-op is a course, or part of the curriculum, international students can utilize CPT (Curricular Practical Training).
OISS and the engineering co-op program have allowed students who get a summer internship to qualify their internship through the engineering school by enrolling in the engineering co-op program. This allows the opportunity to use CPT for a summer internship. The internship must be full-time, paid, and last at least 10 weeks. If you are an undergrad, you will be required to write a pre- and post- co-op essay, unless the internship is at least 14 weeks.
Students enrolled in the McKelvey School of Engineering have the option to participate in the Engineering Co-op Program. Typically co-op is a summer/semester program lasting about seven months. It must be full-time, paid, and related to your engineering degree. Students enrolled in co-op do not pay tuition and maintain their full-time student status. Scholarships and financial aid eligibility are waived and used at a later semester.
Because co-op is a course, or part of the curriculum, international students can utilize CPT (Curricular Practical Training).
OISS and the engineering co-op program have allowed students who get a summer internship to qualify their internship through the engineering school by enrolling in the engineering co-op program. This allows the opportunity to use CPT for a summer internship. The internship must be full-time, paid, and last at least 10 weeks. If you are an undergrad, you will be required to write a pre- and post- co-op essay, unless the internship is at least 14 weeks.
UNDERGRADS WORKING INTERNSHIPS LESS THAN 14 WEEKS
McKelvey School of Engineering is now allowing students to qualify their internship as a co-op term, which allows students to obtain CPT authorization. Because the duration is shorter than a traditional co-op, and if there were to be an audit, we must justify these experiences as “an integral part of the curriculum” as stated in the course description. Therefore, if you are an undergraduate who works less than 14 weeks in the summer, you will be required to submit a pre and post essay.
- The pre reflective essay will provide detail of how the co-op could enhance your academic field of study. The pre co-op essay is due before the start of your co-op assignment. You will need to email it to the co-op coordinator who will upload it to your co-op file. (350 words)
- At conclusion of the term, the post reflective essay will detail how the co-op specifically improved the ability to succeed in your academic field of study. (350 words)
CO-OP ELIGIBILITY
Before applying to co-op positions, first verify that you meet the requirements to participate:
Are you qualified to co-op?
- Enrolled in the McKelvey School of Engineering
- Enrolled at WashU for at least two semesters
- In good academic standing with a recommended GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Confirm with your academic adviser your ability to take a break from your curriculum
Does your co-op qualify?
- Full-time 32-40 hours per week
- Paid at a rate commensurate with experience, typically $19-25/hr.
- Last a minimum of a full semester (16 weeks) or full summer (10-week minimum)
- Co-op is related to your engineering major
How to Get a Co-Op
Co-ops are obtained in the same ways internships and post grad jobs are obtained: Handshake postings, Career Fairs, McKelvey Meet-up (spring) or McKelvey Spotlight (fall), or company websites, etc. Contact Sue Kruessel to find out WHERE to find co-op opportunities and contact a career adviser to find out HOW to land a co-op.
How to Register once a co-op is secured
- Send your employment letter to suekruessel@wustl.edu (Forward the attached letter the company creates. It should include start/end dates, salary, duties).
- Complete the online form
Upon completion of these steps, allow the co-op office 5 business days to review and approve your co-op. If you are on an F-1 student visa, please allow an additional 5-7 business days for OISS to process your new I-20.