International Students

International students enrolled in an ECE Graduate Program may register for CPT (ENGR 998) during the spring/summer term. Usually students conduct the internship in the spring/summer, but register for ENGR 998 in the preceding winter term.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Graduate students must enroll full-time each fall and winter semester. 
• Students may not engage in CPT in lieu of full-time enrollment. 
• CPT will not be allowed in the student’s final term unless the student needs to register for other courses that are required for the completion of the academic program.
• ENGR 400, managed by ECRC, is for domestic, undergraduate students ONLY.
• ENGR 600 is for Masters of Engineering students ONLY.

ECE Instructions for CPT:

• Complete Internship Form
  • PhD Form
  • Masters Form

• To apply for ENGR 998, you must:

1. Attend one in-person CoE Internship/Co-op Seminar (see Engineering Careers, by 12twenty for Seminar times).

2. Complete ECRC CoE ENGR 998 Paperwork and send to [email protected] for review before getting your advisor’s signature.

3. Your Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form must be signed by your Graduate Program and the ECRC. You may bring the Form to the in-person CoE Internship/Co-op Seminar or drop it off at the ECRC office for the ECRC Advisor signature on page 2.

4. Write Initial Essay (details provided during the Seminar and in the Syllabus; submit with application materials). 

5. Complete the application in Engineering Careers, by 12twenty and upload the following documents:

• Offer Letter from the employer that includes:
  • Job Title
  • Assignment Details including job responsibilities and location
  • Number of hours per week
  • Start/End Dates
• Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form
• Initial Essay (see syllabus for details)

You will not be enrolled in ENGR 998 until you have attended the required in-person Seminar, have submitted all of the requirements listed above via Engineering Careers, by Symplicity, and your application is approved by the ECRC. Incomplete registration or missing documents will delay your enrollment into ENGR 998. 

Once approved, the ECRC will enroll you in ENGR 998. ENGR 998 is 1 credit and you will be charged accordingly. This 1 credit course does not count toward your graduation credits. If your CPT is rejected by the International Center, it is your responsibility to withdraw from the course. If your internship plans change, you must inform the ECRC and the International Center.

CPT will require a midterm and final essay. Failure to complete mid term and/or final essay could result in Unsatisfactory grade.

You must be enrolled in courses the semester you apply for OPT.

If you apply for OPT and you do not graduate at the end of the semester, it is your responsibility to contact the International Center to cancel your OPT. Failure to contact the International Center can result in you being out of immigration status or the loss of OPT time.

ECE Instructions for OPT Letter from Academic Advisor:

• Complete a “apply for graduation” plan of study  to submit to your academic/research advisor. (If you have already submitted your final plan of study, you do not have to submit another one.
• You will receive a RCL letter from the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator once it has been confirmed.
• Apply for graduation.
• Complete the remaining steps outline on the International Center’s website.

Students are only allowed one reduced course load for academic difficulties or medical condition per program.

ECE Instructions for reduced course load:

• Determine the reason for a reduced course load. 
• Based on the chosen reason, complete the following steps:
  • Completion of Course Study (last semester in the program) 
    • Complete Reduced Course Load Request Form. 
    • Complete a “apply for graduation” plan of study  to submit to your academic/research advisor. (If you have already submitted your final plan of study, you do not have to submit another one.
    • You will receive a RCL letter from the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator once it has been confirmed.
    • Submit all paperwork to the International Center.
  • Academic Difficulties 
    • Complete Reduced Course Load Request Form.
    • Write a statement for the reason for your academic difficulty.
    • Submit the two items to an ECE Graduate Program Coordinator.
    • You will receive a RCL letter from the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator. 
    • Have your ECE Graduate Academic Advisor sign RCL letter.
    • Schedule a meeting with an International Student Adviser to submit all paperwork to the International Center.
    • Drop the course through Wolverine Access. 
  • Medical Condition
    • Get a letter about medical condition from a medical professional according to guidelines listed on the website above.
    • Complete Reduced Course Load Request Form. 
    • Submit the three items to an ECE Graduate Program Coordinator.
    • You will receive a RCL letter from the ECE Graduate Program Coordinator.
    • Schedule a meeting with an International Student Adviser to submit all paperwork to the International Center.
    • Drop the course through Wolverine Access

• Determine the reason for the I-20 extension
  • Complete the additional documents
• Complete a plan of study signed by your academic/research advisor
• Submit documents to ECE Graduate Coordinator for a signature
• Submit documents to International Center

There are four mains ways to improve your English skills:

• English Language Institute
  • Take a class
  • Join a conversation group
• Participate a student organization on campus. This organization should have English as the primary language spoken. This is will allow you the opportunity to speak English with other English speakers in a casual and fun setting.
• Get an on-campus job. Just like the student organizations, this will provide you the opportunity to speak English in a natural, everyday setting.

See the International Center for employment options for F-1 students.