Key Deadlines

This section lists important deadlines for Experiential Learning. Be sure to review the pages for Eligibility, Rules and Requirements, and for the Application Procedures.

Experiential Learning—Spring 2026 (January 12–May 16)

Continuing Experiences from Fall 2025

• Monday, October 20, 2025: Students can start their internship application on Handshake.
• Monday, November 24, 2025: Students who want to continue their internship from Fall into Spring without a gap must submit their Handshake application by this date.
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025: CPT forms must be submitted to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 PM this date to guarantee a continuous experience with December 21 start date.
• Sunday, December 21, 2025: First start date for continuing experiences. International students must have their I-20 and Social Security Number (SSN) application receipt in their possession before they begin working. All students must have approved forms and be registered for the appropriate internship course to begin working.
• Monday, December 22, 2025: CPT forms must be submitted to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 PM on this date for a guaranteed start date of January 12, 2026.
• Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Monday, January 5, 2026: University Closed for Winter Holiday. No CPT processing will take place during this period.
• Friday, January 2, 2026: Students applying for a for-credit Spring 2026 experience must submit their Handshake applications by this date.
• Friday, January 9, 2026: Last date to submit CPT form to OGS via ISSS portal by 5 PM for a For-credit internship.
• Monday, January 12, 2026: First start date for new internships.
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Final date to begin working for a For-credit internship. International students must have their I-20 and Social Security Number (SSN) application receipt in their possession before they begin working. All students must have approved forms and be registered for the appropriate internship course to begin working.
• Thursday, April 2, 2026: Final date for students to submit Handshake application for a Non-credit internship.
• Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Last day to submit CPT form to OGS via ISSS portal by 5 PM for a Non-credit internship.
• Monday, April 20, 2026: Last day to begin work for a minimum 4 week non-credit internship.
• Friday, May 1, 2026 – Saturday, May 16, 2026: All internships must end in this period.

New Experiences for Spring 2026

• Monday, October 20, 2025: Students can start their internship application on Handshake.
• Monday, December 15, 2025: Students applying for a new Spring 2026 experience with a start date of January 12, 2026 must submit their Handshake applications by this date.
• Monday, December 22, 2025: CPT forms must be submitted to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 PM on this date for a guaranteed start date of January 12, 2026.
• Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Monday, January 5, 2026: University Closed for Winter Holiday. No CPT processing will take place during this period.
• Friday, January 2, 2026: Students applying for a for-credit Spring 2026 experience must submit their Handshake applications by this date.
• Friday, January 9, 2026: Last date to submit CPT form to OGS via ISSS portal by 5 PM for a For-credit internship.
• Monday, January 12, 2026: First start date for new internships.
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Final date to begin working for a For-credit internship.
• Thursday, April 2, 2026: Final date for students to submit Handshake application for a Non-credit internship.
• Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Last day to submit CPT form to OGS via ISSS portal by 5 PM for a Non-credit internship.
• Monday, April 20, 2026: Last day to begin work for a minimum 4 week non-credit internship.
• Friday, May 1, 2026 – Saturday, May 16, 2026: All internships must end in this period.

Experiential Learning—Summer 2026 (May 17–August 15)

• Monday, March 16, 2026: Application for Summer 2026 internship opens on Handshake.
• Wednesday, April 29, 2026: Final date for students to submit a Handshake application for a guaranteed start date of May 17, 2026.
• Tuesday, May 6, 2026: CPT form must be submitted to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 PM this date for a guaranteed start date of Sunday, May 17, 2026 for continuing experiences or Monday, May 18, 2026 for new internships.
• Sunday, May 17, 2026 and Monday, May 18, 2026: First start days for continuing experiences and new experiences.
• Thursday, July 2, 2026: Final date for students to submit Handshake application for Non-credit internship.
• Wednesday, July 8, 2026: Final date to submit CPT form via ISSS portal for 4 week internship for Summer term. Forms must be entered by 5 PM this date.
• Monday, July 20, 2026: Last date to begin working for a 4 week minimum internship.
• Saturday, August 15, 2026: All Summer internships must end by this date.

Questions?

The Experiential Learning Center offers appointments and walk-in hours on a weekly basis:

• Schedule an Appointment:
  Book a "Co-ops, Internships, & CPT" Appointment on Handshake
• Walk-in Hours (McCormick Tribune Campus Center Room 107):
  Monday: 2:30-4pm
  Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30-2pm
  Friday: 2:30-3:30pm