Career Services and Experiential Learning
Key Deadlines
Internships, Co-ops, and CPT
This page lists the key deadlines for Experiential Learning. Before you apply, review the eligibility requirements and the application steps.
Jump to a Term
Spring 2026
January 12 – May 16, 2026 · Term concluded — listed for reference
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 p.m. on this date to guarantee a continuous experience with a December 21 start date.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
First start date for continuing experiences.
Monday, December 22, 2025
CPT forms must be submitted to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. 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 takes 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 a CPT form to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. 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 a Handshake application for a non-credit internship.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Last day to submit a CPT form to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. for a non-credit internship.
Monday, April 20, 2026
Last day to begin work for a minimum four-week non-credit internship.
Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 16, 2026
All internships must end during 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 p.m. 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 takes 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 a CPT form to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. 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 a Handshake application for a non-credit internship.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Last day to submit a CPT form to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. for a non-credit internship.
Monday, April 20, 2026
Last day to begin work for a minimum four-week non-credit internship.
Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 16, 2026
All internships must end during this period.
Summer 2026
May 17 – August 15, 2026 · Term in progress
Monday, March 16, 2026
Application for Summer 2026 internships 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 forms must be submitted to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. on this date for a guaranteed start date of Sunday, May 17, 2026 for continuing experiences, or Monday, May 18, 2026 for new internships.
CPT
Sunday, May 17, 2026
First day for continuing experiences.
Continuing Experiences
Monday, May 18, 2026
First start date for new experiences.
New Experiences
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Final date for students to submit a Handshake application for a non-credit internship.
Non-Credit
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Final date to submit a CPT form via the ISSS portal for any Summer internship, standard or micro. Forms must be entered by 5 p.m. on this date.
CPT
Monday, July 20, 2026
Last date to begin working for any Summer internship, standard or micro.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
All Summer 2026 internships must end by this date.
Working Past August 15?
If your summer internship ends before August 15 and your company wants you to work beyond that, you will need to upload a screenshot of an email or a letter from the company with the new end date, either August 15 or beyond.
If you will continue working past August 15, check the instructions on what 1–2 documents are required for a Continuing experience, and create a new Handshake application for fall. See the Application Procedure page for details.
Fall 2026
August 16 – December 19, 2026 · Applications open
Monday, July 6, 2026
Students can start their internship application on Handshake.
All Students
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Handshake application deadline for a new experience with an August 17 start date.
New Experiences
Friday, July 31, 2026
International students must submit their CPT forms to the Office of Global Services (OGS) via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. on this date for a guaranteed start date of August 17.
International Students · CPT
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Last date to submit a Handshake application for a for-credit part-time or full-time internship.
For-Credit
Sunday, August 16, 2026
First start date for continuing internships.
Continuing Experiences
Monday, August 17, 2026
First start date for new internships.
Last date to submit a CPT application form to OGS via the ISSS portal by 5 p.m. for for-credit part-time or full-time internships.
New Experiences · For-Credit · CPT
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Final date to begin working for a for-credit internship.
For-Credit
Monday, October 26, 2026
Final date for students to submit a Handshake application for a non-credit internship.
Non-Credit
Friday, October 30, 2026
Final date for students to submit a CPT form to OGS via the ISSS portal for a non-credit internship. Forms must be entered by 5 p.m. on this date.
Non-Credit · CPT
Monday, November 16, 2026
Last day to begin work for a minimum four-week non-credit internship.
Non-Credit
Friday, December 4 – Saturday, December 19, 2026
All internships must end during this period. Both for-credit and non-credit internships may end within this date range.
For-Credit · Non-Credit
Before You Begin Working
All students must have approved forms and be registered for the appropriate internship course before they begin working.
International students must also have their I-20 and Social Security Number (SSN) application receipt in their possession before they begin working.
Questions?
Appointments and walk-in hours · Every week during the term
Schedule an Appointment
Book a "Co-ops, Internships, & CPT" appointment on Handshake
Wednesdays 10 a.m.–12 p.m. · Thursdays 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Walk-In Hours
McCormick Tribune Campus Center, Room 107
Tuesdays 2–4 p.m. · Wednesdays 2:30–4 p.m.
Career Services and Experiential Learning
McCormick Tribune Campus Center, Suite 106
(312) 567-6800 · explearning@illinoistech.edu