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.

Internship Eligibility

1. To qualify for the summer internship, international students must be enrolled full-time for one academic year (e.g., fall, winter, and spring).
2. Students with a GSR appointment in the spring quarter should start the summer internship after the last day of the quarter. Students beginning the internship before the end of the quarter, are responsible for paying the fees/tuition back (approximately $6,834.00) to the university. This policy is available at https://graduate.ucr.edu/TA_GSR.html
3. Students must make acceptable progress while in the program before starting the internship. Students placed on academic notice in the spring quarter do not qualify for the summer internship.
4. International students who are graduating in the spring quarter do not qualify for an internship and should apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
5. Students on a Filing Fee Status do not qualify for CPT.

Internship Requirements

1. International students must obtain approval for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before beginning an internship. To apply, students must:

• Complete Sections A and B of the CPT form
• Submit the completed form along with the internship offer letter via email to the Program Coordinator of the CS Department
• The Program Coordinator and the Graduate Advisor complete Section C of the form

It’s highly recommended that students watch the CPT Workshop Presentation offered by the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) before completing the CPT form. For details on the CPT workshop and required forms, visit: https://international.ucr.edu/students/forms#employment-forms-and-guides

2.  International students must enroll in the CS 298I Individual Internship course while on an internship.

Summer enrollment

• Complete and submit the Internship Request Form 198-I, 298-I, 398-I form
• Once the form is completed, you will receive a DocuSign to complete; make sure you include - Enroll in 1 Unit
• Once we approve, the Summer Session office enrolls students in the course
• Summer enrollment begins in early April

Regular Academic Year (Fall/Winter/Spring) Enrollment

• International students must enroll in CS 298I via RWeb only after completing the CPT form and receiving approval from the Program Coordinator.

• Ph.D. students: Enroll under their faculty advisor
• M.S. students: Enroll under the Graduate Advisor, Prof. Zhiyun Qian
• Ph.D. students without an advisor: Enroll under the Graduate Advisor, Prof. Zhiyun Qian

• First day of summer internship:  June 13, 2026 or later
• Last day of summer internship: September 23, 2026, or before this date

International Student and Scholars Information