Internships & Co-Ops for Credit
ENGR 395 – Undergraduate Internship Course for Credit
Register for ENGR 395 if you would like to receive technical elective credit while you are working in an internship/co-op. This is a required course for undergraduate international students in order to be eligible for CPT.
VIEW INTERNSHIP COURSE ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION WEBINAR
The course is graded Credit/No Credit. To get a passing grade, you will need to complete a 10 page technical report graded by a faculty member within your department. You are responsible for seeking out faculty that agrees to grade the report. View a sample syllabus here.
- Fall/Spring Semesters: 2 units
- Summer Session: 1 unit
- Co-Op: 3 units over 2 semesters*
*Students are financially responsible for the per unit cost
*If you are interested in a co-op, please schedule an appointment on Viterbi Career Gateway to discuss the additional details.
- Completed at least three semesters of engineering curriculum
- 2.6+ GPA
- Work experience in the internship directly relates to your respective engineering major*
- Working at least 15-20 hours per week during the fall/spring semesters. During the summer, you can work up to 40 hours per week.
*CSBA majors that wish to do a business internship must enroll for a course in the Marshall School of Business. Business internships will not be approved for ENGR 395.
During the registration process, you will be asked for the information below:
1) Completed Course Summary
The completed course summary can be found on Oasis. Please provide a one-page screenshot that includes your grades and GPA to date.
2) Offer Letter & Job Description
Submit an offer letter provided by the company on the company letterhead. The offer letter must provide a start and end date. You will also need to submit a detailed job description. The description should provide enough information to determine that the internship is related to the your major. See sample here.
3) Signed Student/Employer Agreement Form- Signed by Someone at Company
The signed student/employer agreement form is signed by the student and internship/co-op supervisor. If you have not been assigned a direct supervisor, please list your HR/company contact. The form goes over a few important details including:
- Students should not be expected to work more than 20 hours per week during the fall or spring semester unless they are enrolled in a co-op. Students enrolled during the summer semester typically work no more than 40 hours per week.
- The student must engage in work that is related to their major.
- The extent of the assignment must match the academic semester in which the student is enrolled.
Additional considerations:
CPT
International students must submit a completed CPT form to OIS. A VCC staff member will sign the CPT document once all registration materials are reviewed & approved. We will email a signed copy of the CPT form shortly after you are given d-clearance.
*Although the CPT form does ask for an Academic Advisor's signature, since Career Connections manages the course, we are best fit to sign off.
Successful completion of the course is required to be considered for future CPT authorizations. If a student receives a No Credit (NC), they will be ineligible for future CPT.
Academic Advising
It is your responsibility to check in with your academic advisor and discuss how the credit for the ENGR 395 course will or will not impact your academic progress, including credits needed for graduation. You should also consult with your advisor whether or not your department will grant technical elective credit for ENGR 395.
Faculty
You are responsible for seeking out a faculty within your department that agrees to grade your report. Please share the syllabus with them so they understand the course and their responsibility. If you need recommendations, consult with the ENGR 395 Manager. View syllabus here.
Summer 2021 Registration
Career Connections Deadline to upload forms: Friday, May 28th
Deadline to Register for Summer Classes: June 4th
Q: How long does it take to get D-clearance/When will I receive the signed CPT form?
A: Once the application is submitted, it typically takes 3-5 business days to review and receive D-clearance. The student will receive an approval email with additional information on which course to register for and shortly after, the student will receive a signed CPT form (If applicable).
Q: Which course and section should I add on the application?
A: If this is your first time enrolling in the course, please add ENGR 395A on the application. If you already enrolled in “A” you should register for “B”, if registered in “B” then you would register in “C” etc…
You would typically enroll in session 059 and the corresponding section; please see the Schedule of classes for the current semester’s information.
The Program Manager will ultimately email students the correct course in which to enroll.
Q: The CPT application form asks for an academic advisor's signature, who should I reach out to, Career Connections or my Academic Advisor?
A: Career Connections manages the ENGR 395 course so we are the best fit to sign off on the form.
Q: Who signs the Supervisor Agreement Form?
A: Please ask the person that will be supervising you during your internship at the company. If you have not been assigned a direct supervisor, please ask the human resources person you have been working with to sign the form.
Q: The Company I am interning at informed me they cannot sign the Supervisor Agreement form, what do I do?
A: Please inform the program manager about the circumstances. Please include the company name and issue.
Q: The dates on the OIS website for CPT Authorization are different from the dates on the Supervisor agreement, which dates are correct?
A: The ENGR 395 course follows the academic semester which typically runs from the first day of classes to the last day of classes. Career Connections supports Viterbi students who wish to follow the duration of authorization dates for CPT on the OIS website. Please inform your company supervisor the reason for the difference in dates.
Q: Do I have to pay to enroll in the course?
A: ENGR 395 is a course in which students can earn technical elective credit which can be used towards the student’s degree at USC. As such, there is a unit cost for enrolling in the course. More information on Tuition can be found here.
Q: Can I select the number of units I can enroll in?
A: ENGR 395 is set up in the Spring & Fall semesters as a 2 unit course and in the summer it is a 1 unit course. Career Connections cannot change the number of units. If you enroll in Fall or Spring, you cannot sign up for only one unit, it would automatically be two.
Q: Which faculty do I select to grade my report?
A: You must select a faculty member within your Academic Department. We recommend selecting a faculty member you are familiar with or have taken a class with. If you are still uncertain, please reach out to the Program Manager for recommendations.
Q: What are the guidelines for the report?
A: Students must submit a 10 page technical report. After the registration deadline, enrolled students will receive report guidelines as well as sample reports.
Q: Can I register for ENGR 395 and receive credit for an internship I did previously?
A: You must be enrolled in ENGR 395 concurrently while doing your internship. You may not receive credit for an internship done in previous semesters.
Q: My GPA is below the 2.6 requirement, can I still enroll?
A: We will review each student case individually. Please contact us at vcareers@usc.edu with a detailed description of your situation.
ENGR 596, 597, & 598 – Graduate Internship Course for Credit
View the CPT & Internship Success Webinar or go to https://viterbigrad.usc.edu/cpt page for more information on graduate-level CPT information.
- Submit your request for ENGR 596 supervision through MyViterbi. Log in then select “Directed Research CPT” to submit your request.
- Fill out the ENGR 596 D-clearance Request here: https://viterbigrad.usc.edu/internships-for-domestic-students/
- Receive the ENGR 596 D-clearance email after VASE approves.
- Register for ENGR 596, and start your internship.
Locate a full-time faculty member in your major department who is willing to supervise you for ENGR 596. It is your responsibility to select a professor who is available to supervise the CPT.
- Submit the CPT ENGR 596 Approval Application online at MyViterbi – this must include your job description (Log in then select “Directed Research CPT”).
- Complete the VASE Online CPT Request Form and upload your CPT offer letter. The offer letter from the company must be on the company’s letterhead – see Sample CPT Letter as a guide.
Complete the VASE Online CPT Request Form and upload your CPT offer letter. The offer letter from the company must be on the company’s letterhead – see Sample CPT Letter as a guide.
International Student Career Resources
Viterbi Career Connections supports international students through:
- Career & Internship Advising
- Navigating the US Job Search
- Interview Preparation
- Professional Development
- Career-Related Events
- D-Clearance approval
- CPT Pathway on Experience Viterbi App
- CPT Offer Letter Review
The VASE Advising Office supports international students through:
- International Student Services such as RCL, CPT, OPT, and Program Extensions
- Working Closely with OIS
- Completing Graduation Verification Section on OPT I-20
The Office of International Services supports international students through:
- Immigration Advising
- Providing Resources Related to Visa Status
- Obtaining US Work Authorization
- Immigration Services
- Providing Final Approval for CPT/OPT
CPT
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid off-campus academic internships during their degree program. The purpose of CPT is academic, not just for employment purposes, and the internship must be considered an integral part of a student’s degree program.
NOTE FOR SUMMER 2021:
CPT authorization is intended to facilitate off-campus opportunities that resemble classroom instruction, albeit in a more practical context. A key characteristic of such an experience is a supervisory relationship, consisting of regular assignment and evaluation of deliverables. Practical Training also implies meaningful immersion in a professional environment.
Students who request CPT for remote positions should keep detailed documentation establishing
- the existence of a supervisory relationship throughout their period of authorization, and
- how they achieved professional immersion despite working remotely.
OPT
GRADUATE STUDENTS SHOULD REVIEW THE OPT INFORMATION PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO THE OIS POST-COMPLETION OPT PAGE.
Work Authorization
FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING THE F-1 STUDENT EMPLOYMENT PAGE.
Viterbi Career Gateway
Gateway is a career-related resource dedicated to the needs of Viterbi students. This system allows you to search for engineering internship/co-op and full time jobs and gives you access to information about Viterbi-specific events and resources. There is also an option to filter for positions that offer visa sponsorship!
Tool Kit
Use the online tool-kit for job search quick tips and additional internship and career resources.
Career Advising
Not sure how to answer questions about your status during an interview? Take advantage of drop-in hours Monday through Friday between 12:00 - 3:00 PM to get your specific questions answered or login to Gateway to make an appointment.
Interstride
An interactive career platform designed by international students, for international students, to enhance their career exploration and job-search experience. Students can access Interstride through (https://web.interstride.com/) by logging in with their USC NetID and password.
USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub
Provides information to the public on employers petitioning for H-1B workers. The data hub is part of their continued effort to increase transparency in employment-based visa programs by allowing the public to search for H-1B petitioners by fiscal year (back to FY 2009), NAICS code, employer name, city, state, or ZIP code.
Accessible through Viterbi Career Gateway
GoinGlobal - 16 million+ worldwide internship and job postings searchable in the local language, as well as English, updated daily.
Career Beam - career development portal designed to provide all the resources necessary to guide individuals through the strategic job search process and achieve their career goals.
Candid Career - thousands of career videos with interview tips, job information, or career guidance to help you find your dream job.
Career Access Resource Library (CARL) - allows you to search hardcopy and online resources for your graduate school, internship, fellowship, & career exploration.
Versatile PhD - the oldest, largest online community dedicated to non-academic and non-faculty careers for PhDs in humanities, social science and STEM.
Vault.com - provides rankings and reviews to find the best companies to work for and the best internship programs.
iNet Internship Consortium - where employers post internships (only) for a select group of universities.
Viterbi Link - your exclusive online mentoring platform where alumni share their career and industry-related experiences and information with you.
External Links
More Opportunities
Login to USC Career Center's ConnectSC to apply for internship & co-op positions.
International Experiences
International Student Events
Check out events hosted by USC's Office of International Services (OIS)
Have an Internship?
Tell us about your internship experience and where you are working.
Check Out Where Viterbi Students Interned Over Summer…
3Diligent Corporation
91bnb Travel Inc.
Academia Sinica
Activision Publishing
Adobe
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Aerospec
Aerovironment
Airbus
Alcoa Inc.
Alcon, Novartis
ALPHA CONSTRUCTION INC
Amazon
Amgen
Ansaldo STS
AOL
Aptima
Armani Research Group
Armstrong Builders
Army Research Lab West
Artamata
Aruba
AT&T
Avcorp Composite Fabrication
Bain & Company
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Barracuda Networks Inc
Beckman Coulter
Belkin International
Bloom Energy
Bloomberg LP
Blur
Boeing
Boingo Wireless, Inc.
Booz Allen Hamilton
Bosch Research and Technology Center
Boston University Dental School
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Brown & Caldwell
Cadence Design Systems
Calgren Renewable Fuels LLC
CALIT2 EHEALTH COLLABORATORY
CalPortland Cement
CAO Group
Caterpillar Xuzhou Ltd.
cavotec
Cedars Sinai
CH2M Hill
ChemEOR
China Merchant Securities
China Standard Software Co., Ltd
Cisco Systems
City of Los Angeles - Bureau of Engineering
City of Pleasanton
Clinipro Staffing
CloudGenix
CloudSight Inc.
Codecademy
Cognizant Technology Solutions
Comcast
Compellon Inc
Concure Oncology
Concurrent Computer Corporation
CorAssist Cardiovascular
CRIXlabs Inc.
Cummins Inc.
Davis Instruments Corporation
DELL
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Dexcom
DililiLabs Inc.
Discovery Communications
DocketCalendar
Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc.
DromeBox Labs
Ducommun Inc.
Dun & Bradstreet
Dynavax Technologies
EarLens
Edwards Lifesciences
EFM Capital
Einstein Assembly
ElectroMech Material Handling Systems
Electronics For Imaging
Emcore
EnCap Investments
Engrade
Envision Experience
Ericsson
Ewaybot
Expedia Inc
Faraday Future
First Data Corporation
Formosa Plastics Corporation
Frenzy
FRNCi
Full Scale Effects
Fynd
GeneFluidics, Inc
General Atomics
GIBLIB
Ginger-K Lymphedema and Cancer Care Center
GlobalFoundries
Google
GoPro Inc
Grabit Inc
Guidance Software
GYLT CO (Docket Calendar)
Hess Corporation
Honda Research & Development
Honeybee Robotics
Hortonworks, Inc
House Advantage LLC
Huanqiu Contracting & Engineering Co., PetroChina
Hyatt Hotels
I.C.L.E.I GLOBAL
IBM
iD Tech
Illumina Inc.
Implanova Inc
Incuvation Labs
Inspur USA Inc
Intel Corporation
Internal Drive, inc.
iRobot
J. Crew
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
JGR CAPITAL PARTNERS
Jibo
Johnson & Johnson
Judlau Contracting Inc. (OHL NA)
Katayama & Associates, Inc.
Kimberly Clark
Kinestral Technologies
Kiran Analytics
KPMG
KRE Consulting
KSB india pvt. ltd.
Land O' Lakes Inc
Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
LBCT
Legendary Entertainment
Legrand North America
Lenovo
Level Sports
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lightspeed Aviation
Line 204 Events
Linear Technology
Linguos LLC
Lionano, Inc.
Living Advantage
Lockheed Martin
Logitech
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Lumi Co.
LunchMate
Luxima Technology LLC
Madison Park Development Coorperation
Marvell Semiconductors
Masimo
MATT Construction
Mc-Graw Hill Education
Medika Therapeutics
Medlanes
Medtronic
MedVoice Biotech
Meritronics
Micron Technology Inc.
Microsoft
Miracle Studios
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
MMI, University of Southern California
MNM Couture
Moog Inc.
Moog Inc.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
Nokia Bell Labs (Alcatel-Lucent)
Northeastern University
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Northwest Polymers
NVIDIA
Oncocyte Corporation
Oracle
Orange County Public Works
Orange County Water District
Orthopaedic Institute for Children
Pacific Gas and Electric
Pacific States University
Palo Alto Networks
Panasonic Avionics
Parallax Health Sciences
Paul Bernhard Exhibit Design and Consulting
PayPal
PennyMac
PickMySolar
Pluribus Networks
Portola Pharmaceuticals
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Prolacta Bioscience
Prospect Silicon Valley
PsychSignal
QLOGIC CORPORATION
Qorvo Inc.
Qualcomm
Relevance Labs
Republic Airways Holdings
Revision Military Technologies
Reyes Holdings
Ripped Training
RIT
Roche
Roche Tissue Diagnostics
Rocket Internet
Rolla Biotech
Rubicon Project
SAIC MOTOR
Sami Shamoon College of Engineering
Samsung Research America
San Jose Water Company
SanDisk
ScaleOut Software
Secretariat International
Sensentia Inc
Senva Inc.
San Francisco International Airport
ShieldX Network
Shimmick Construction
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Siemens PLM
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Skanska USA Civil Inc.
Skyhigh Networks
SoCal Utility
Sony
Southern California Edison
Southern California Gas Company
Southland Industries
SpaceX
Specialized Creations
Spiral Toys
Spirent Communications
Splunk
Spring Alliance LLC
St. Jude Medical
Stamps.com
Stroz Friedberg LLC
Swajal
Symantec
Synopsys
Taboola
Taco Vengo
Telenav Inc
The Aerospace Corporation
The Bank of New York Mellon
The Boeing Company
The Casery
the lincoln electric company
The Linde Group
The Walt Disney Company
Ticketmaster
T-Mobile
Travelstart
Trend Micro
Turner Construction
Unbound Consulting
United Launch Alliance
Urban TxT
USC Institute for Creative Technologies
USC Information Sciences Institute
USC Keck Department of Radiology
USC Space Engineering Research Center
USC Visual Processing Lab
Ventana Medical Systems (Roche Tissue Diagnostics)
Veritas Technologies
Verizon Digital Media Services
Vethentia
Virgin Galactic
Vista Entertainment Solutions
Warner Bros Group of Companies
Water Planet Inc.
We Teach Me
Whitecoat Healthcare
Wilshire Construction
Xilinx
Xylem Inc.
Yahoo
Yahoo!
Yamibuy.com
Yelp
Zayo Group
Zestfinance
Zhongshan Securities Co.Ltd
Zodiac Inflight Innovations Inc.