Credit for Co-Ops and Internships
Put your Learning to Work
Whether it’s a semester-long co-op or a summer internship, taking part in these experiential learning opportunities is a powerful way to prepare for your career. We encourage all College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) students to consider seeking a co-op or internship during their degree program, and there’s support to help you find and succeed in those opportunities.
Co-ops and internships give you a chance to apply what you're learning in the classroom to real-world challenges. These experiences help you:
Build technical and professional skills in a hands-on environment
Clarify your career interests and goals
Make valuable industry connections
Find success with your degree
Strengthen your resume with real experience
Gain confidence for future job or graduate school applications
Get Credit for your Experience
Many co-op and internship roles are eligible for academic credit. Earning credit allows you to maintain full-time student status for the term of enrollment. Credit earned from ENGR 399 counts toward technical elective requirements (CIS, ECE and IMSE majors), and general professional elective group (ME/Bioengineering). Students who enroll and earn credit for two or more co-op/internship roles will earn a “CECS Co-op Program Completed” notation on their academic transcript upon graduation, as well as a Cooperative Education Certificate issued by the CECS Dean.
Students must obtain department approval to enroll in a co-op/internship course. Continue reading for additional information on eligibility, course enrollment, and the approval process.
Students must complete the following course(s) listed for their academic department as a prerequisite for enrolling in a co-op/internship course.
- CIS 275 or
- ECE 210, 273 or
- IMSE 255, 317 or
- ME 230 or 260, ENGR 126, 216, 250
In order for a co-op/internship position to be approved, it should broadly provide an opportunity to integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting. It must also meet these specific requirements:
- The position must be related to the student’s major
- The position must be full-time (34+ hours per week)
- The position must last 12-15 weeks per term
Primary Co-op/Internship Course
ENGR 399 is the first co-op/internship course CECS students are able to register for. Students are only able to take ENGR 399 one time. After completing the course, students can enroll in the Additive Courses listed below for additional co-op/internship opportunities.
ENGR 399 Info
- 1 credit - Tuition is associated. Will be considered a full-time student while enrolled.
- Students may not take more than two additional courses (8 credits) during the same term of enrollment.
- Students are encouraged to consult with their Academic Advisor and Financial Aid to determine how the credit will work into their academic plan and impact aid/scholarships.
- There are several assignments to complete, culminating in a technical report.
- Student receives a letter grade.
- Credit counts towards technical elective requirements (CIS, ECE and IMSE majors), and general professional elective group (ME/Bioengineering).
- Students who enroll and earn credit for two or more co-op/internship roles will earn a “CECS Co-op Program Completed” notation on their academic transcript upon graduation, as well as a Cooperative Education Certificate issued by the CECS Dean.
Additive Co-op/Internship Courses
After students have completed ENGR 399, they can seek approval for additional co-op/internship roles to register in an additive co-op/internship course (CIS, ECE, IMSE & ME: 299, 399, 499).
CIS, ECE, IMSE & ME: 299, 399, 499 Info
- 1 credit - Tuition is associated. Will be considered a full-time student while enrolled.
- Students may not take more than two additional courses (8 credits) during the same term of enrollment.
- Students are encouraged to consult with their Academic Advisor and Financial Aid to determine how the credit will work into their academic plan and impact aid/scholarships.
- There are several assignments to complete, culminating in a technical report
- Student receives a pass/fail grade
- Students who enroll and earn credit for two or more co-op/internship roles will earn a “CECS Co-op Program Completed” notation on their academic transcript upon graduation, as well as a Cooperative Education Certificate issued by the CECS Dean.
Once a student is eligible to start earning co-op/internship course credit and has secured a co-op/internship role that also meets eligibility requirements, there is a simple process to request department approval to enroll in a co-op/internship course.
Students can start this process by submitting this brief form. In order to submit the form for course approval, students will need the following:
- A job offer letter on company letterhead
- A job description
- Between these two documents, we need to see an outline of the co-op/internship responsibilities, the start and end dates of the position, and company contact information
Please note: The approval process for summer 2026 is now open! The add/drop deadline for the Spring/Summer term is May 19, 2026. All enrollment requests must be submitted before this date. Students cannot seek approval or course registration for past co-op or internship experiences.
International students will want to work closely with the UM-Dearborn Office of International Affairs to understand their visa and work authorization options.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization does require registration in a co-op/internship course. There are times when students are eligible for CPT but not yet eligible to enroll in a CECS co-op/internship course. If you require CPT, please review the information above about student eligibility, co-op/internship eligibility, course enrollment, and the course approval process. If you submit the form for approval, you’ll be able to indicate you need CPT, and we’ll work with you to provide a CPT Advisor Form.