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.  Students who’s home school is the College of Engineering will need to work with Engineering Career Services for enrollment to their co-op 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
    • 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.

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Computer Sciences-Specific Instructions

Computer Sciences majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • CS 401 Policies
    • Students cannot enroll in additional coursework at UW-Madison (or other institutions) in the same semester as the co-op course. This includes 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, your CPT request may not be approved.
  3. Student completes the following form which includes submitting your employment letter: CS 401 & CPT Authorization Form
      • For International Students: Begin the CPT application through Terra Dotta and add Shelby Arkin (samille8@wisc.edu) in the verification section.
  4. Student takes enrollment action to enroll in CS 401 when notified via email  by CS 401 Instructor.
      • For International Students: Complete the CPT Application process in Terra Dotta.

Data Science-Specific Instructions

Data Science majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • STAT 401 Policies
    • Students may not enroll in any courses in addition to STAT 401, either at UW-Madison or elsewhere, including online classes.
      • Enrollment in additional coursework beyond STAT 401 may forfeit future co-op enrollment opportunities.
    • International students cannot request an I-20 extension for their visa due to a co-op.
      • Co-op enrollment must occur within your existing I-20 timeline.
    • Students may take CS/STAT/LIS 401 up to a maximum of 3 times 
    • Students must schedule an advising appointment to review their 4-year plan. Students will be required to upload an advisor-approved 4-year academic plan with your course enrollment request.
    • Students must receive and plan to accept a co-op offer prior to requesting enrollment access. Once an offer is accepted. students must follow through with the co-op experience.

Data Science step-by-step enrollment procedures:

  1. Student receives their 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:
    • Company Letterhead
    • Dates of employment
    • Hours per week
    • Compensation
    • Modality of work
    • Main tasks/responsibilities/duties that directly relate to Data Science
    • Supervisor information (including supervisor’s background of experience & contact information)
  2. Student schedules an advising appointment with Sara Rodock to talk through the impacts of a co-op semester on future planning.
    • For International Students:
      • You must confirm and share with your advisor your I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 cannot be extended due to a co-op.
      • If you & your advisor cannot plan an appropriate way to fit in a co-op within an advisable/recommendable 4-year timeframe (typically 2 major courses + breadth courses), a CPT request may not be approved.
  3. Student drafts enrollment & graduation plan
    • For International Students:  plan must fit within existing I-20 expiration date
  4. Student submits the following to Sara Rodock:
    • Offer Letter
    • Drafted enrollment & graduation plan 
    • CPT Terra Dotta Request (International Students Only)
  5. Sara submits STAT 401 Enrollment Request Form
  6. Student enrolls in STAT 401 when notified via email  by Statistics Enrollment Manager
    • Enrollment access has an expiration date. Students should monitor their WiscMail inbox closely.

Statistics-Specific Instructions

Statistics majors must follow these policies and procedures:

  • STAT 401 Policies
    • Students may not enroll in any courses in addition to STAT 401, either at UW-Madison or elsewhere, including online classes.
      • Enrollment in additional coursework beyond STAT 401 may forfeit future co-op enrollment opportunities.
    • International students cannot request an I-20 extension for their visa due to a co-op.
      • Co-op enrollment must occur within your existing I-20 timeline.
    • Students may take CS/STAT/LIS 401 up to a maximum of 3 times 
    • Students must schedule an advising appointment to review their 4-year plan. Students will be required to upload an advisor-approved 4-year academic plan with your course enrollment request.
    • Students must receive and plan to accept a co-op offer prior to requesting enrollment access. Once an offer is accepted. students must follow through with the co-op experience.

Statistics step-by-step enrollment procedures:

  1. Student receives their 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:
    • Company Letterhead
    • Dates of employment
    • Hours per week
    • Compensation
    • Modality of work
    • Main tasks/responsibilities/duties that directly relate to Data Science
    • Supervisor information (including supervisor’s background of experience & contact information)
  2. Student schedules an advising appointment with Carmela Diosana to talk through the impacts of a co-op semester on future planning.
    • For International Students:
      • You must confirm and share with your advisor your I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 cannot be extended due to a co-op.
      • If you & your advisor cannot plan an appropriate way to fit in a co-op within an advisable/recommendable 4-year timeframe (typically 2 major courses + breadth courses), a CPT request may not be approved.
  3. Student drafts enrollment & graduation plan
    • For International Students:  plan must fit within existing I-20 expiration date
  4. Student submits the following to Carmela Diosana:
    • Offer Letter
    • Drafted enrollment & graduation plan 
    • CPT Terra Dotta Request (International Students Only)
  5. Carmela submits STAT 401 Enrollment Request Form
  6. Student enrolls in STAT 401 when notified via email  by Statistics Enrollment Manager
    • Enrollment access has an expiration date. Students should monitor their WiscMail inbox closely.

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.