Establish Required Internship Pathways for UW ECE Students Affected by CPT Policy Changes
Establish Required Internship Pathways for UW ECE Students Affected by CPT Policy Changes
The Issue
We are international students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Washington. Recent changes in CPT requirements have created significant uncertainty for students seeking internship opportunities. Those who have already secured offers may be unable to start their internships as planned, while others, including incoming students, are unsure whether they can pursue internships during their studies.
Under UW's current CPT guidance, internships must be a required component of an established academic curriculum to qualify for CPT authorization. However, neither the ECE Professional Master's Program (PMP) nor the ECE Daytime programs currently include a required internship or practicum component. As a result, students in both programs may be unable to obtain CPT authorization, even for internships directly related to their fields of study.
Practical industry experience is important for students in the Professional Master's Program (PMP), which emphasizes professional development and the application of engineering knowledge in industry settings. Many PMP students pursue this degree to advance their careers and prepare for industry roles, making internships a valuable part of their educational and professional development. Internships also provide valuable hands-on experience for Daytime students, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge to real-world engineering challenges.
This situation affects students with upcoming internship start dates as well as those planning their future academic and professional development.
Our Request
We respectfully ask the University of Washington's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) to:
1. Establish required, credit-bearing internship pathways.
Incorporate required internship or practicum components into ECE programs to provide CPT-eligible practical training opportunities for current and future students.
2. Provide immediate transitional solutions for current students.
Identify compliant options for currently enrolled students affected by the CPT policy changes, particularly those who have already secured internship offers or have upcoming start dates, while curriculum changes are being developed.
3. Provide clear guidance and an implementation timeline.
Communicate the status of curriculum changes, expected approval timelines, and available options to help students plan their internships and academic schedules.
Why This Matters
Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to apply their academic knowledge and gain practical experience. We ask ECE to establish clear, compliant internship pathways that support both current and future students in the PMP and Daytime programs
Please sign this petition to support this request.
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The Issue
We are international students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Washington. Recent changes in CPT requirements have created significant uncertainty for students seeking internship opportunities. Those who have already secured offers may be unable to start their internships as planned, while others, including incoming students, are unsure whether they can pursue internships during their studies.
Under UW's current CPT guidance, internships must be a required component of an established academic curriculum to qualify for CPT authorization. However, neither the ECE Professional Master's Program (PMP) nor the ECE Daytime programs currently include a required internship or practicum component. As a result, students in both programs may be unable to obtain CPT authorization, even for internships directly related to their fields of study.
Practical industry experience is important for students in the Professional Master's Program (PMP), which emphasizes professional development and the application of engineering knowledge in industry settings. Many PMP students pursue this degree to advance their careers and prepare for industry roles, making internships a valuable part of their educational and professional development. Internships also provide valuable hands-on experience for Daytime students, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge to real-world engineering challenges.
This situation affects students with upcoming internship start dates as well as those planning their future academic and professional development.
Our Request
We respectfully ask the University of Washington's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) to:
1. Establish required, credit-bearing internship pathways.
Incorporate required internship or practicum components into ECE programs to provide CPT-eligible practical training opportunities for current and future students.
2. Provide immediate transitional solutions for current students.
Identify compliant options for currently enrolled students affected by the CPT policy changes, particularly those who have already secured internship offers or have upcoming start dates, while curriculum changes are being developed.
3. Provide clear guidance and an implementation timeline.
Communicate the status of curriculum changes, expected approval timelines, and available options to help students plan their internships and academic schedules.
Why This Matters
Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to apply their academic knowledge and gain practical experience. We ask ECE to establish clear, compliant internship pathways that support both current and future students in the PMP and Daytime programs
Please sign this petition to support this request.
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Petition created on September 21, 2026