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Internships

About the DSci Internship

This course allows students to apply their data science training in a professional setting while earning academic credit. Students are responsible for securing an eligible internship and submitting the required application materials.

Note: Students may not receive academic credit for paid internships.

All DSci internships must be taken for a letter grade and may satisfy the Continuing Writing Requirement, depending on the associated coursework. Up to four credits may count toward the DSci major as general major credit.

Interns work with an approved sponsor for a minimum of 13 weeks and complete academic components that deepen their learning, which may include a research or reflection paper and a brief check-in meeting with the Internship Director. Supervisors provide an evaluation at the end of the semester.

The scope of the work and the associated writing requirements depend on the number of credit hours a student chooses to earn.

  • This course is open only to Data Science, Applied Math & Statistics, or Public Policy Analysis major students in good academic standing.
  • The internship must take place during the enrolled semester
  • Only four credits, taken at one time, may count towards the DSci major. Those credits will count as general major credit and will not fulfill any upper-level elective requirement. 
  • Credit cannot be applied retroactively 
  • In order to receive academic credit towards a DSci major, a student must enroll in DATASCI 496R(W) and pay the tuition for the course.
  • DATASCI 496R(W) is not offered over the summer. Students completing an internship during the summer semester should apply for INTERN 496 or INTERN 497 through the  Office of International and Summer Programs.

  • Review the requirements detailed above
  • Fill out the Data Science Internship Application
  • Submit the completed application no later than two weeks prior to the close of add/drop/swap in any given semester.
  • If your application is approved by the internship director, the DSci Research Program Coordinator will direct enroll you in DATASCI 496R(W) during the add/drop/swap period appropriate to the semester of your internship.
Note: DSci staff do not manage enrollment for summer internships.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where to find Internship opportunities?

    Calls for interns in a variety of fields that go out throughout the year on the DSci student listserv, Handshake, or the DSci Slack community.

    You can also apply for a stipend to support your costs during an unpaid internship through the Pathways Center.

  • Can I take DATASCI 496R(W) during the summer semester?

    Summer internships are not currently eligible for DSci-specific course credit, but you can get credit (without tuition fees) via the Pathways Center. DSci staff do not manage enrollment for summer internships.

  • How do you determine how many credit hours I get for DATASCI 496R(W)?

    Number of credit hours determined by how many hours per week your internship is. 

  • I am an international student; how do I start the CPT process?

    For fall and spring: To begin the CPT process, you'll need to connect directly with your ISSS advisor, as they oversee CPT authorization and requirements. They'll guide you through what’s needed, including which forms to complete, what documentation to provide, and how your internship fits within your academic program.
    For summer: The CPT authorization process should be fairly straightforward.  Since this is a summer internship, you'll need to handle everything through the Pathways center. You'll be able to enroll in a 0-credit hour internship class that qualifies you for CPT without needing to pay tuition.