Internship
Internship (EEE 684) (forms)
Catalog description: Work performed in an industrial setting that provides practical experience and adds value to the classroom and research learning processes.
Internship (EEE 684) is required for inclusion on the program of study (POS) for some electrical engineering students. The student's advisor determines this in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. Internship is often necessary when the student needs practical engineering experience to complete qualifications for an advanced degree, needs industrial experience to gain the ability to perform required degree thesis research, or needs the use of unique industrial facilities not available on campus to complete a thesis research study.
Internship registration is for one credit hour per semester. Internship for the master's degree is limited to no more than two semesters and a single summer session. Internship for the Ph.D. degree is limited to no more than four semesters and two summer sessions. Internships may be part time or full time. A part-time Internship requires 20 hours of employment per week. A full-time Internship requires 40 hours employment per week. A student having 12 months or more of full-time Internship will become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
All degree requirements for those using Internship on their POS must be completed within a five-year time period. Internship is only available to full-time, on-campus students. Full-time is defined as having completed nine credit hours or more for the semester preceding the Internship unless the student has passed the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam and completed all required research and dissertation credits. In the latter case, the student will still be eligible for Internship. Students must receive all approvals from their advisor and from the Director of Graduate Studies. All application materials for Internship must be completed by the last day of regular registration for any semester.
During any regular semester (Fall or Spring), a student on an Internship must be registered full time. Internship (EEE684) credit counts towards this requirement. For a summer Internship the student needs to register for only one credit hour of Internship.
Internship is intended as a unique new learning experience, apart from a regular engineering position. Therefore, it is not available to full or part-time workers regularly employed by the company where the internship is proposed.
At the Ph.D. level, Internship is intended to enhance the student's research capabilities in the area related to the dissertation. Therefore, the Internship plan must show the relationship between the work proposed and the intended research program. The thesis advisor must write a separate letter explaining the desirability of the Internship.
An approved plan is required before commencing the internship. The request will include a statement from the employer that indicates they understand that the Internship work is to satisfy a degree requirement. Sample letters and other required forms are available from the Departmental Graduate Office.
The Electrical Engineering Director of Graduate Studies evaluates all requests for Internship credit
After the Internship period ends, the industrial supervisor submits a report verifying satisfactory performance by the student. The faculty supervisor reviews the industrial report and submits an independent evaluation of the student's performance. The last step in completing the Internship is submission of both evaluation reports to the Electrical Engineering Director of Graduate Studies, who notifies the registrar of course completion.