Engineering Co-op

The McKelvey School of Engineering offers an enrollment-based Engineering Co-op option for students completing paid, academically relevant work experience while maintaining active student status.

Engineering Co-op requires an application and departmental approval and is only available to student enrolled in McKelvey degree-seeking programs. Students purusing degrees outside of McKelvey, including those seeking second majors or minors within McKelvey, are not eligible.

PAGE CONTENTS: Engineering Co-op | Additional Information for International Students | Additional Information for Domestic PhD Students 

Key Dates & Deadlines

Applications must be completed at least two weeks before your work start date. 

Enrollment cannot occur after the add/drop deadline for the relevant semester. (See Academic Calendar)

Final Application Deadlines

Note: Late or incomplete applications cannot be approved.

Engineering Co-op

McKelvey's Engineering Cooperative Education (Co-op) is McKelvey's longest standing co-curriculuar enrollment. This in-depth experience gives students an opportunity to gain significant professional engineering experience, explore potential career paths, strengthen technical and professional skills, and build a completitive resume before graduation.

Because students completing a co-op are employed full-time and are generally not enrolled in full-time coursework, they may need to delay graduation. 

Important: International PhD students should review the page section regarding I-20 duration below before beginning a co-op application.  

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for Engineering Co-op students must:

• Be enrolled in a McKelvey degree-seeking program
• Completed at least two semester as a WashU student
• Be in good academic standing (recommended GPA of 2.7 or higher)
• Consult with your faculty or academic advisor regarding your degree plan and anticipated graduation timeline.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Your position must:

• Be Full-time employment, 32-40 hours per week
• Be paid (typically $19-25/hour, commensurate with experience)
• Last at least 16 weeks
• Align with the start and end dates of the enrolling Fall or Spring semester (see academic calendar)
  • Students may choose to include an adjoing summer semester or extend the co-op for a full year.
• Be relevant to your McKelvey program of study or Dissertation Research

Note: Summer-only positions are not eligible for co-op.

ENROLLMENT AND STUDENT STATUS

During a co-op semester, you will:

• Be enrolled in a "Engineering Cooperative Education" course
  • Co-op enrollment appears on your transcript but does not earn academic credit.
• Be granted full-time student status
• Be assessed full-time student fees (no tuition for the co-op course itself)
  • Tuition and fees related to additional, credit-bearing coursework may be assessed.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed before the application deadline, and approval must be completed before the Add/drop deadline for the relevant semester.

1. Secure an eligible, paid position
   1. Co-ops are obtained in the same way other internships or post grad jobs are obtained. This includes career fairs and other events as well as connections and networking.
   2. For support in securing an eligible position, please schedule an appointment with the WashU Center for Career Engagement. 
2. Make sure your offer letter meets the requirements (see: Sample Engineering Co-op Offer Letter.) 
   1. At a minimum, the following information is required in the offer letter:   
      1. Job title and job description (must be relevant to your program of study)
      2. Company information (including address)
      3. Supervisor name and email address
      4. Hours per week (must be full-time)
      5. Rate of pay (must be a paid position)
      6. Employment start date and end date (16 week minimum and must coincide with the start and end dates of each semester to be enrolled)
3. Submit the Application for Engineering Co-op with required documentation:
   1. Offer Letter
   2. Educational Justification:
      1. Domestic Undergraduate, Master's and PhD Students:
         1. Statement on relevance to degree program
      2. International PhD Students:
         1. Dissertation Attestation
4. International PhD Students:
   1. Contact your OISS Advisor to ensure you are eligible for practical training authorization.
   2. Request CPT Authorization in MyOISS AFTER recieving McKelvey approval.
      1. NOTE: F-1 students are required to receive CPT authorization from OISS prior to their co-op start date.
5. At the end of the experience, there will be an evaluation that must be completed by your supervisor. 

Additional Information for International Students

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)

Participation in Engineering Co-op does not automatically grant CPT eligiblity. Practical training authorization is determined by OISS based on federal regulations, SEVP guidance, and the student's individual circumstances.

International students should consult with their OISS Advisor before applying to determine wheher they are eligible for practical training authorization.

Upon the approval of a co-op application by McKelvey, it is the student's responsibility to initiate the CPT authorization process with OISS. F-1 students are required to receive CPT authorization from OISS prior to their co-op start date.

International students with questions about CPT as it relates to Engineering Co-op should reach out to their OISS Advisor.  

I-20 EXTENSION

Participating in Engineering Co-op does not allow for an extension of your I-20. You are responsible for ensuring all degree requirements can be met in the time allotted by your I-20 regardless of your decision to engage in CPT.

For this reason, a co-op may not be advisable for international students, because this experience requires a full-time work commitment.  

Additional Information for Domestic PhD Students

Domestic PhD students must gain approval for any paid work completed outside the university. However, this work may not qualify for or require a corresponding course enrollment. 

Domestic PhD students who secure paid employment outside the university that does not fit the Engineering Co-op criteria outlined above should complete an Engineering Non-enrolled Internship Application. 

APPLICATION FOR NON-ENROLLED INTERNSHIP

This application form will route to the PI and department for approval. Approval of this application will not result in course enrollment, and students should ensure they are appropriately registered each semester. This form is not intended for international students and does not provide work authorization.  

Once you have secured a position, complete an Engineering Non-enrolled Internship Application. This application will require the upload of your employment offer letter. Please review this Sample Engineering Internship Offer Letter. At a minimum, the offer letter must include the following: 

• Job title and job description (must be relevant to your program of study)
• Company information (including address)
• Supervisor name and email address
• Hours per week
• Rate of pay (must be a paid position)
• Start date and end date