1. What
conditions must I satisfy in order
for the department to support my Practical Training?
- Undergraduate Students cannot be on probation and must have a 2.0 GPA or better.
- Graduate Students cannot be on probation and must have a 3.0 GPA or better.
- Practical training must not delay planned graduation date
- Note that the total time allowed for practical training is limited, check with SFSU OIP Office for details
2. Where
do I get the letter?
Students may obtain a departmental template letter located on the CS Departments "Forms Page":
3. How do I fill it in?
After opening the letter in Microsoft Word, you will see a portion of the letter in BLUE text. The BLUE text is what you must change to match your particular circumstances. DO NOT change any portion of the black text or the formatting of the letter.
4. How do I get
the department approval?
Once you have completed the letter, save it. Attach the document in an email and send it to cs@sfsu.edu with the subject line reading "Practical Training Letter for xxxxxxx" where xxxx is your name.
A letter requesting Post Completion Optional practical training (OPT) will require approval of the student's Thesis/Project supervisor via e-mail to CS Department Chair attesting that thesis/project work has been completed or is almost complete. This is done due to legal reasons and also to protect students in case they do not finish their thesis/project work on time, since their allotted time for OPT will expire after a total of one year. The Department will in very rare cases approve Thesis Practical training (OPT), and only in the case when the work activity is critical for the thesis/project. The thesis/project supervisor has to approve this by sending e-mail to the CS Department Chair. Internship letters for Curricular Practical Training (CSC 694/893 CPT) need only the CS Chair's approval. In all cases, the CS Chair's letter requesting authorization to participate in Practical Training is sent to OIP for final approval, and notice of approval is sent directly to students.
Students will also have to sign a letter stating that they understand that the practical training can not delay their graduation and that post-completion practical training can not start until the thesis work is completed. This letter is called OPT Agreement Letter can be found on our Forms page and is called OPT Agreement Letter.
5. When can I pick it up?
The letter is usually printed and signed within a couple of hours of it being emailed to the office between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Once it is signed, it is placed in an envelope in the pick-up box just inside the departmental office door.
Student then has to take the letter to the OIP Office at SFSU for further processing.
6. Whom
should I contact for further information or help?
Please contact the Department Office Assistant or Office Manager.
7. 694/893 internships
Industry internships are valuable training for students. International students have to follow some rules as specified here.
Please also note:
"Immigration Service rules impose additional constraints on taking CSC 694/893. International students must have a valid F-1 status, be in good academic standing and be a full time student for at least one year prior to registering in CSC 694/893. Note also that for international students units earned in CSC 694/893 must count as electives toward their degree (that is, all units of CSC 694/893 must appear on their Petition for Graduation/GAP). CSC 694/893 cannot be taken if all electives have been completed, if the student is doing his/her thesis, or if CSC 893 would delay the completion of the thesis or graduation.
Since INS rules change from time to time students interested in registering for CSC 694/893 are encouraged to check with the Office of International Programs before planning for this option in their studies."
Internships for Fall and Spring semester will be limited to maximum of 20 h/week, which will have to be documented in writing by the letter from the employer. This is legal requirement and is intended to ensure that your academic work does not suffer due to your work obligations.
|
