An internship or cooperative education field experience (co-op) is a combination of academic study and substantive work experience, approved by a supervising faculty member in advance. Registration for internships and federal co-ops is open to degree students in good academic standing. Academic departments may have additional requirements, but generally the prerequisite for registration at the undergraduate level is completion of 30 credit hours of course work (12 credit hours for transfer students) with a minimum grade point average of  2.0; at the graduate level, completion of  9 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of  3.0.

All students are encouraged to work with an advisor in the Career Center. For additional information about internships and Cooperative Education, call or visit the Career Center, Butler Pavilion 5^th floor,  202-885-1804 .

Registration for internships or co-ops is during the registration period for the fall or spring semester or  summer session. Students may add these courses until the end of the second week of classes in the spring semester or summer session and the third week of classes in the fall semester.

Students must have met all prerequisites, secured the work position, and confirmed their work schedule with their site supervisor prior to registration. The student and supervising faculty member must agree upon and document the credit value of the field experience, depending on the nature of the academic component and the number of hours required for the work component. The recommended standards for academic credit may vary but typically are: 8–10 hours per week for 1–2 credits; 15–16 hours per week for 3 credits; and 20–24 hours per week for 6 credits. Students work throughout the term (12 weeks or more).

Students must submit a completed and approved Internship/Cooperative Education Registration Form, along with the Internship Consent and Release Form to the Registrar’s Office.