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International Student Information

Cooperative Education and Internships are academic programs designed to provide students with the opportunity to supplement their course work with practical application in the field. The Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning is not an employment program, but an educational experience.

• How do I get started in Co-op or Internships?
• What are Co-op and Internship policies for international students?
• What is appropriate workplace etiquette? 

How do I get started in Co-op or Internships?

Step 1: Curricular Practical Training Form

Obtain your Curricular Practical Training form from the Office of International Programs and bring it to the Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning, 223 Grace Wilkie Hall.

Step 2: Academic Requirements

Verify with the Co-op Office that you meet GPA and credit-hour guidelines for your college listed below:

W. Frank Barton School of Business
2.25 GPA and 24 credit hours completed

College of Education
2.5 GPA and 12 credit hours completed

College of Engineering
2.75 GPA and 24 credit hours completed

College of Fine Arts
2.5 GPA and 24 credit hours completed

College of Health Professions
2.5 GPA and 24 credit hours completed

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2.0 GPA and 24 credit hours completed

Step 3: Online Registration      

Students meeting the academic requirements must register online either now or at the Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning, 223 Grace Wilkie Hall, in which the Co-op program is explained in detail. Within 48 hours of registering, you will receive an e-mail from our office confirming registration and/or explaining what to do to become eligible. If you are eligible, call our office at 316-978-3688 to schedule a time for your Professional Practice Workshop.

Step 4: Professional Practice Workshop

After your registration is accepted, you will attend a Professional Practice Workshop designed to provide information necessary to succeed in a pre-professional work experience.

Step 5: Resume Development

After attending a PPW, you will need to develop your resume and schedule a time with your coordinator to review your resume.

Step 6: Placement

Upon completing the above steps, you will meet with your coordinator. Your coordinator will discuss your career interests, review your resume, and share current job openings.

What are Co-op and Internship policies for international students?

Following are a list of policies to help the process flow smoothly for Wichita State University international students seeking Co-op and Internship positions:

• International students become eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) nine months after the first day of classes.

• International students on F or J visas must obtain a CPT authorization form from the Office of International Programs (OIP) before going to the Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning. Authorization for CPT through Co-op is valid for one semester only and expires on the date specified on the CPT form or I-20. It must be renewed for each additional semester.

• Students must verify with the Co-op Office that they meet the GPA and credit-hour guidelines for their college.

• Students are required to complete a computerized orientation and the Professional Practice Workshop before the job search process begins through the Co-op Office.

• All Co-op jobs or Internships, including those students find on their own, must be approved by the Co-op coordinator prior to acceptance of positions intended to be used for Co-op or Internship credit. Students' own Co-op jobs or Internships can be used toward credit if they are found by the coordinator to be relevant to their major and level in school.

• Once a student has accepted a position with an employer, the student will enroll and pay tuition for Cooperative Education or Internship credit. The enrollment will be for the current term, unless pre-enrollment has begun for the subsequent term. In that case, the student will be enrolled for the subsequent semester. (i.e. Students getting hired in May will be enrolled for summer.)

• Because Cooperative Education and Internships are academic programs, all course requirements must be completed as outlined in the syllabus. Failure to comply could result in termination of eligibility to participate.

• Receipt of an H-1B visa during the semester does not exempt students from Cooperative Education or Internship requirements.

• Students on F-1 or J-1 visas in alternating placements are subject to these policies as well as all alternating placement policies (click here to download PDF file).

• International graduate students are eligible for CPT and therefore, participation in Co-op or Internships, only while they are working on their required course work. Once they have completed their course work and are working on their theses or projects, they are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• International students who hold graduate assistantships are not eligible for Co-op or Internships because they are limited by the Graduate School and OIP rules to work a maximum of 20 hours a week total. The Co-op Office requires that students work a minimum of 15 hours a week in a Co-op or Internship position. Because most assistantships exceed five hours a week, the two are not typically compatible.

What is appropriate workplace etiquette?

In order to fit in as part of a professional work group, here are some suggestions. In addition to the basics, such as wearing clean clothes and practicing personal hygiene, like washing the hair and body daily, brushing teeth and using deodorant, the following guidelines will ensure a smooth transition to the Cooperative Education or Internship position.

Clothing that is acceptable in a university environment may not be acceptable in the world of work.

Typical business attire includes:

• Pants or skirts in colors such as navy blue, black, gray or tan
• Shirts and shoes in coordinating colors
• Limited jewelry
• For more information on professional dress, click here

All students working in a Co-op or Internship position must follow certain workplace guidelines.

Workplace expectations include:

• Adhering to arranged work schedule
• Seeking supervisor approval for time off or deviation from set schedule
• Treating men and women with equal respect, including supervisors and co-workers
• Asking questions about work assignments
• Following company policies and procedures