Internships are a great opportunity for graduate students to gain industry experience and/or perhaps secure a position upon graduation. CSE students generally begin applying for summer internships during the winter and spring quarters. The CSE department encourages students to seek internship opportunities and would like you to be informed of the following policies.

PHD students

1. PhD students who have not advanced to candidacy (mostly first-year students) cannot be approved for a summer internship
2. Students with GSR appointments in Spring should not begin a summer internship until the end of the quarter. If you start your internship before the end of the quarter, you are responsible for paying the fees/tuition back (approximately $5,764). This policy is available at https://graduate.ucr.edu/TA_GSR.html
3. International students must apply for the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and enroll in 1 unit of CS 298I under your faculty advisor during the summer
4. Your internship should end before the beginning of the Fall quarter

MS students

1. Students with GSR appointments in Spring should not begin a summer internship until the end of the quarter. If you start your internship before the end of the quarter, you are responsible for paying the fees/tuition back. The policy is available at https://graduate.ucr.edu/TA_GSR.html
2. International students must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and enroll in 1 unit of CS 298I under your faculty advisor, or the Graduate Advisor (Prof. Ravishankar) if you don’t have an advisor
3. International students who are graduating in Spring do not qualify for an internship and should apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
4. Your internship should end before the beginning of the Fall quarter
5. You must be enrolled as a student for one academic year to qualify for CPT

NOTE: International students must enroll in CS 298I offered by the Summer Sessions office. Contact your CS academic advisor for more information.