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 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 experiences are eligible for academic credit through ENGR 299, ENGR 399, and ENGR 499.
These courses let you bridge classroom learning and professional practice, earning academic credit for practical experiences that directly relate to your major and career interests. Credit earned from ENGR 299, ENGR 399, and ENGR 499 counts toward technical elective requirements (CIS, ECE and IMSE majors), and the general professional elective group (ME/Bioengineering).
Students must obtain department approval to enroll in a co-op course. International students who require CPT work authorization must be approved to enroll in a CECS co-op course before applying for CPT. Continue reading for additional information on eligibility, course enrollment, and the approval process.
By enrolling in a CECS co-op course, you can:
- Reflect on and strengthen your professional growth throughout your experience.
- Connect classroom knowledge with real-world engineering and computing practice.
- Receive academic credit for your learning and professional development.
- Earn credit toward technical elective requirements (CIS, ECE and IMSE majors) and general professional elective group (ME/Bioengineering).
- Earn recognition for your experience. Students who earn academic credit for two or more co-op/internship experiences will receive 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.
To enroll in a CECS co-op course, students must:
- Complete ENGR 100 or CIS 150
- Have sophomore standing (25 or more completed credits)
- Complete at least two semesters in CECS (including transfer students)
- Be in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA)
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 last a minimum of 7 weeks and include at least 140 hours of work per term.
ENGR 299, ENGR 399, and ENGR 499 are one-credit, letter-graded courses.
Each course has several assignments to complete, culminating in a technical report.
Tuition and course load: CECS co-op courses count toward your total enrolled credits and are subject to applicable tuition and enrollment policies. Under the University’s full-time block tuition structure, students already enrolled in 12 or more credits may be able to add a co-op course without additional tuition. Students should consider their overall course load carefully and may not exceed the University’s 18-credit maximum. Students are encouraged to consult with their Academic Advisor and Financial Aid to determine how co-op course credit will work into their academic plan and impact aid/scholarships.
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 Fall 2026 is now open! The deadline to request enrollment for Fall is September 9, 2026. 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.