Internship Eligibility Requirements
To participate in an internship, students must meet specific criteria:
Internships are restricted to candidates currently enrolled in an approved certificate or specialization program.
Students must have completed at least 50% of their curriculum by the time the internship begins.
Students must maintain the minimum GPA required by their specific program to remain eligible for placement.
Requirements for International Students (F-1 Visa)
International students must follow strict federal and university guidelines to maintain their visa status while interning:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): F-1 students must obtain CPT authorization before starting any paid or unpaid internship.
Students must have completed nine consecutive months of full-time study in their program to be eligible for CPT.
Students must remain enrolled in a full course of study during the quarter they are interning.
Unpaid internships for international students are typically limited to 20 hours per week. Paid internships may be authorized for more than 20 hours (full-time) under specific conditions.
The Internship Agreement Process
Every internship requires a formal, signed agreement before the student can enroll in the internship course.
You are responsible for finding a host company and securing a position that relates directly to their field of study.
A formal contract must be signed by the Student, the Host Company supervisor, and UCLA Extension.
For international students, a letter from the employer on company letterhead must be submitted to the International Student Services (ISS) office to process the necessary I-20 updates.
Once the agreement is fully executed and approved, you can officially enroll in the internship course.
For more details, visit the Career Services page on the UCLA Extension website.