đź“‹ 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: Mies Campus Spring 2026 Internship Application Opens on Handshake. 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 (begin working Sunday, December 21, 2025) must submit their Handshake application by this date.
Monday, December 15, 2025: CPT Form Submission Deadline to Guarantee a December 21 Start Date. 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.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Final Date to Begin Working for a For-Credit FT/PT Internship Experience. 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.
Friday, May 1, 2026 - Saturday, May 16, 2026: For-Credit Internship Ending Period. For-credit internships must end during this period of time.
New Experiences for Spring 2026
Monday, October 20, 2025: Mies Campus Spring 2026 Internship Application Opens on Handshake. 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: Office of Global Services Submission Deadline for Guaranteed January 12 Start Date. 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.
Friday, January 2, 2026: Students applying for a for-credit Spring 2026 experience must submit their Handshake applications by this date.
Monday, January 12, 2026: Earliest Date to Start Working for New Internships. First start date for new internships.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026: Last Date to submit a CPT application form to the Office of Global Services for a for-credit FT/PT internship. Last date to submit CPT form to OGS via ISSS portal by 5 PM for a For-credit internship.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Final Date to Begin Working for a For-Credit FT/PT internship experience. Final date to begin working for a For-credit internship.
Thursday, April 2, 2026: Deadline to submit a Handshake application form for a Non-Credit FT/PT Internship. Final date for students to submit Handshake application for Non-credit internship.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Deadline to submit CPT application form to the Office of Global Services for Non-Credit FT/PT Internships. Last day to submit CPT form to OGS via ISSS portal by 5 PM for a Non-credit internship.
Monday, April 20, 2026: Last Date to Begin Work - Non-Credit FT/PT Internships. Last day to begin work for a minimum 4 week non-credit internship.
Friday, May 1, 2026 – Saturday, May 16, 2026: Internships Must End During This Period. Students completing a for-credit internship must end their internship during this window of time.
Note: The remaining sections (Fall 2025, Summer 2025, Spring 2025, and Fall 2024) would follow this same format with dates in bold first, followed by descriptions. Would you like me to continue formatting the rest of the sections, or would you prefer to provide updated information for those sections as well?
Questions?
The Experiential Learning Center offers appointments and walk-in hours on a weekly basis:
Schedule an Appointment:
Walk-in Hours (McCormick Tribune Campus Center Room 107):
Monday: 2:30-4pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30-2pm
Friday: 2:30-3:30pm
Experiential Learning Center
McCormick Tribune Campus Center, Suite 106
Phone: (312) 567-6800 | Email: careers@illinoistech.edu