INI Internship Process & Requirements
INI students may choose to complete an optional internship as a summer elective course. The following requirements apply:
- The INI Internship is a 3-unit course graded as Pass/No Pass.
- Registration is required.
- International students must be CPT eligible to work off-campus in the U.S.
- All internships must be approved by the INI to count as an elective.
- Internships must be relevant to your program of study to be approved.
- Internships must be completed in the first summer term (depending on your semester of entry and duration of program).
- Successful completion of the internship requirement is determined by the INI.
- Approved INI internships will appear on your final transcript.
INI Internship Canvas Course
To facilitate and manage the approval and completion of an internship, students who choose to do a summer internship will have access to the INI Internship course on Canvas.
Internship Timeline
Phase 1: Search Process
- Job Search
- Interview Preparation
- Interview
- Offer Selection
Phase 2: Approval Process
- Offer Letter Submission
- Department Approval
- Course Registration
- Work Authorization Approval
Phase 3: Completion Process
- Completion of Internship
- Company Summary Form Submission
- Student Summary Form Submission
- Grading
Considerations for International Students
Questions? Contact Lisa Currin, INI Foreign Student Coordinator
Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, is initially approved by the INI department and authorized through the Office of International Education (OIE). CPT forms must be signed by designated INI staff (Note: Academic Advisors are not designated staff and cannot approve CPT forms).
More information can be found on the Office of International Education’s website.
Full resources and guidelines are available on the INI Internship Canvas course.
Essential Forms and Resources
INI Sample Offer Letter - Industry Positions: Satisfies internship and CPT requirements. Download Sample Letter
On-Campus Positions: If you are accepting an on-campus position and want it to count for CPT, you must obtain an offer letter from the hiring faculty. Details of the offer letter are the same as those required for industry positions (see above). Contact ini-internship@andrew.cmu.edu with any questions.
Internship Summary Form: to be completed and submitted by your internship supervisor or company secondary contact. Download Form
Student Summary Form: to be completed by the student. Access form via Canvas.