Computer Sciences

CS/STAT/LIS 401 – Co-Op Course

Experiential learning can be an important part of a UW-Madison student’s academic career. For undergraduate students declared in majors of Computer Sciences, Data Science, Statistics, or Information Science, CS/STATS/LIS 401 provides opportunity to maintain a student status in Fall & Spring semesters while pursuing a co-op.

CS/STAT/LIS 401 is intended for undergraduate students who have been offered a full time co-op experience that is relevant to their majors in the School of Computing, Data, and Information Science. This 1 credit course carries full-time enrollment status for students. Students will pay 1-credit of tuition for this course.

Below are qualification policies that must be met for enrollment in CS/STAT/LIS 401. If your employment opportunity does not meet duration criteria, please review information for our CS/STAT 403 internship course here or the Inter-LS 260 internship course.

CS/STAT/LIS 401 Enrollment Requirements

Student Status Requirements

  • Declared in an undergraduate CDIS Major
    • Computer Sciences
    • Data Science
    • Statistics
    • Information Science
  • Good Academic Standing Status (cumulative & prior term GPA is 2.0 or higher)
    • Not on an academic probation status
  • Completed at least two semesters at UW-Madison
  • Continuing Student Status (not graduating)
    • Students may not co-op in their final semester

Position Duration & Qualification Requirements

  • Position must occur for a minimum of 14 weeks, with most weeks happening in a Fall/Spring semester
  •  Full-Time PAID position (40 hours/week)
  • Modality of work is happening in-person/on-site OR happening in a hybrid format with a regular in-person/on-site requirement
    • A qualifying co-op position may NOT be a fully remote position
  • The employer must have a physical location/address and valid EIN number with the United States
  • Tasks/Duties/Responsibilities of the co-op must directly relate to your declared major
  • The co-op experience must be supervised by an individual with one of the following:
    • Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree & two years professional experience; OR
    • Associate’s Degree & five years experience; OR
    • 7 years of professional experience
  • International students: Review the time limits and date restrictions on this ISS website: CPT Time Limits & Dates. 

CDIS Major-Specific Policies & Procedures

Each CDIS major/program may have additional specific enrollment requirements prior to allowing access to CS/STAT/LIS 401. Please see below for major-specific information. Access to an enrollment request form will be found within major-specific information.

Note: CDIS certificate programs are not eligible to request CS/STAT/LIS 401.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Computer Sciences-Specific Instructions

Computer Sciences majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • CS 401 Policies
    • No additional coursework may be enrolled in at UW-Madison (or other institutions) in the same semester as the co-op course; including online courses. Your focus for the semester should be on your work experience.
      • Enrollment in additional coursework beyond CS 401 may forfeit future enrollment options with co-op opportunities.
    • International students may not request an I-20 extension for their visa due to a co-op.
    • CS/STAT/LIS 401 may be taken up to 3 times 
    • Students must have a co-op offer in-place with plans to accept prior to requesting enrollment access.

Computer Sciences step-by-step enrollment procedures:

  1. Student receives co-op offer & obtains an Offer Letter. International and domestic students should provide a template to employers to meet requirements.
    • An Offer Letter MUST include:
      • Dates of employment
      • Hours per week
      • Compensation
      • Modality of work
      • Main tasks/responsibilities/duties directly related to Computer Sciences
      • Supervisor information (including supervisor’s background of experience)
  2. Student schedules an advising appointment with their assigned Computer Sciences advisor to discuss co-op and make a 4-year  graduation plan.
    • For International Students:
      • A 4-year plan must fit within your existing I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 cannot be extended due to a co-op.
      • If you cannot find a plan to fit in a co-op within an advisable timeframe, a CPT request may not be approved.
  3.  Student submits the following to assigned advisor:
    • Offer Letter
    • Drafted 4-year plan 
    • CPT Terra Dotta Request (International Students Only)
  4. Advisor submits CS 401 Enrollment Request Form
  5. Student takes enrollment action to enroll in CS 401 when notified via email  by CS Enrollment Manager

Data Science-Specific Instructions

Data Science majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • STAT 401 Policies
    • No additional coursework may be enrolled in at UW-Madison (or other institutions) in the same semester as the co-op course; including online courses. Your focus for the semester should be on your work experience.
      • Enrollment in additional coursework beyond STATS 401 may forfeit future enrollment options with co-op opportunities.
    • International students may not request an I-20 extension for their visa due to a co-op.
    • CS/STAT/LIS 401 may be taken up to 3 times 
    • Students must have a co-op offer in-place with plans to accept prior to requesting enrollment access.

Data Science step-by-step enrollment procedures:

  1. Student receives co-op offer & obtains an Offer Letter. International and domestic students should provide a template to employers to meet requirements.
    • An Offer Letter MUST include:
      • Dates of employment
      • Hours per week
      • Compensation
      • Modality of work
      • Main tasks/responsibilities/duties directly related to Data Science
      • Supervisor information (including supervisor’s background of experience)
  2. Student schedules an advising appointment with Sara Rodock to discuss co-op and make a 4-year graduation plan.
    • For International Students:
      • A 4-year plan must fit within your existing I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 cannot be extended due to a co-op.
      • If you cannot find a plan to fit in a co-op within an advisable timeframe, a CPT request may not be approved.
  3.  Student submits the following to Sara Rodock:
    • Offer Letter
    • Drafted 4-year plan 
    • CPT Terra Dotta Request (International Students Only)
  4. Sara submits STAT 401 Enrollment Request Form
  5. Student takes enrollment action to enroll in STAT 401 when notified via email  by Statistics Enrollment Manager

Statistics-Specific Instructions

Statistics majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • STAT 401 Policies
    • No additional coursework may be enrolled in at UW-Madison (or other institutions) in the same semester as the co-op course; including online courses. Your focus for the semester should be on your work experience.
      • Enrollment in additional coursework beyond STAT 401 may forfeit future enrollment options with co-op opportunities.
    • International students may not request an I-20 extension for their visa due to a co-op.
    • CS/STAT/LIS 401 may be taken up to 3 times 
    • Students must have a co-op offer in-place with plans to accept prior to requesting enrollment access.

Statistics step-by-step enrollment procedures:

  1. Student receives co-op offer & obtains an Offer Letter. International and domestic students should provide a template to employers to meet requirements.
    • An Offer Letter MUST include:
      • Dates of employment
      • Hours per week
      • Compensation
      • Modality of work
      • Main tasks/responsibilities/duties directly related to Statistics
      • Supervisor information (including supervisor’s background of experience)
  2. Student schedules an advising appointment with Carmela Diosana to discuss co-op and make a 4-year  graduation plan.
    • For International Students:
      • A 4-year plan must fit within your existing I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 cannot be extended due to a co-op.
      • If you cannot find a plan to fit in a co-op within an advisable timeframe, a CPT request may not be approved.
  3.  Student submits the following to Carmela Diosana :
    • Offer Letter
    • Drafted 4-year plan 
    • CPT Terra Dotta Request (International Students Only)
  4. Carmela submits STAT 401 Enrollment Request Form
  5. Student takes enrollment action to enroll in STAT 401 when notified via email  by Statistics Enrollment Manager

Information Science-Specific Instructions

Information Science majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • LIS 401 Policies
    • With approval from Stacy Harnett, students may request to take one (1) UW-Madison asynchronous online course. The course must be online, asynchronous and work towards major/degree requirements. Enrollment in additional coursework without Stacy’s approval may forfeit future enrollment options with LIS 401 and co-op opportunities.
    • International students may not request an I-20 extension for their visa due to a co-op.
    • CS/STAT/LIS 401 may be taken up to 3 times 
    • Students must have a co-op offer in-place with plans to accept prior to requesting enrollment access.

Step-by-step enrollment procedures:

  1. Student receives co-op offer & obtains an Offer Letter. International and domestic students should provide a template to employers to meet requirements.
    • An Offer Letter MUST include:
      • Dates of employment
      • Hours per week
      • Compensation
      • Modality of work
      • Main tasks/responsibilities/duties directly related to Information Science
      • Supervisor information (including supervisor’s background of experience)
  2. Student schedules an advising appointment with Stacy Harnett to discuss co-op and make a 4-year  graduation plan.
    • For International Students:
      • A 4-year plan must fit within your existing I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 cannot be extended due to a co-op.
      • If you cannot find a plan to fit in a co-op within an advisable timeframe, a CPT request may not be approved.
  3.  Student submits the following to Stacy Harnett:
    • Offer Letter
    • Drafted 4-year plan 
    • CPT Terra Dotta Request to Stacy Harnett (International Students Only)
  4. Stacy submits LIS 401 Enrollment Request Form
  5. Student takes enrollment action to enroll in LIS 401 when notified via email  by LIS Enrollment Manager

Questions?

Review the information above for instructions on how to request enrollment access to CS/STAT/LIS 401. If you have any further questions, reach out to your assigned major advisor.