Can I get co-op or internship experience on an F-1 visa while studying computer science in the USA?

In the USA, industry placements are usually called co-ops, which place you in months-long full-time professional work with an industry partner. As an F-1 student you normally do a co-op under Curricular Practical Training, so the university must authorise it. Pick a university whose co-op structure matches your budget and timeline.

US universities known for computer science co-ops

What to check on visa and eligibility

1. Read the Study in the States pages on CPT and OPT, which explain how each kind of work authorisation works for F-1 students.
2. Remember that CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum and is authorised by your designated school official in SEVIS before you start.
3. Confirm when CPT becomes available: you generally need to have been enrolled full-time for at least a full academic year, with an exception for graduate programs whose curriculum requires earlier training.
4. Note that one year of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT, so ask the designated school official for advice in writing.
5. Compare whether the university arranges employer interviews or expects you to find roles yourself.

My Advice

A co-op is only useful if you can actually land one, so ask each university for placement rates and employers for international students. Prefer programs where the co-op is built into the course, because the international office already knows how to authorise it. Never accept work before your CPT is approved on your I-20.

This information is available on: studyinthestates.dhs.gov, khoury.northeastern.edu and drexel.edu