[Gradstudents] Clarification on CS Department policy on co-ops and internships

I would like to send a follow-up email to Dr. Shaffer’s below email. Per graduate school policy at this point in time (academic year 2022-2023), students are only able to participate in FULL-TIME co-op (please see the graduate school co-op website for the definition of full-time). This means you can’t take a part-time co-op while studying full-time during the academic year (fall or spring). Graduate school allows students to work full-time and take ONE course during their co-op, but a part-time co-op is NOT permitted. Please consult the graduate school if you have more questions or need further clarification. Thanks Dr. Hooshangi ---------------------------------- Sara Hooshangi, Ph.D. Collegiate Associate Professor Director, MEng Program Department of Computer Science Virginia Tech

On Jul 23, 2022, at 11:54 AM, Cliff Shaffer via Gradstudents wrote:

The CS Department has always been supportive of graduate students seeking to do internships and the like during the summer, and we have always been willing to sign off on the necessary paperwork.

Historically, we understood the requirements set by the US Government related to co-ops or internships prohibited us in most cases from approving these during the academic year for those who are on a student visa. After discussions with Cranwell Center, and assurances from them limiting what we must certify when we support an I-20 extension, we will no longer object on departmental policy grounds if a graduate student seeks to do an internship or co-op during the academic year.

Before a student takes a position during an academic term, they certainly should discuss this with their academic or research advisor. Taking time off from the degree in this way certainly can affect your graduation schedule. You should discuss any potential visa implications with Cranwell, if that applies to you.

Note that the CS Department still retains the option in special cases to refuse to sign paperwork related to an internship or I-20 extension in a specific case if the situation makes that appropriate in our opinion.

-- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer http://www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer _______________________________________________ Gradstudents mailing list Gradstudents@cs.vt.edu https://mailman.cs.vt.edu/mailman/listinfo/gradstudents