Data Science Internship (DSCI 8940)
About DSCI 8940
DSCI 8940 — Data Science Internship is a 1-credit elective course available to BDML students who secure a qualifying data science internship. The course provides academic recognition for professional experience and — for international students — serves as the mechanism through which Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization is processed.
Is the internship required for graduation? No — for all students, domestic and international alike, DSCI 8940 is entirely optional and has no bearing on degree completion.
However, international students on an F-1 visa who choose to do an internship must enroll in DSCI 8940 to obtain the required Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization. Without it, off-campus employment is not legally permitted under F-1 status. The course is the mechanism — not a graduation requirement.
Why Do an Internship?
Your optimal internship window is the break or semester after you have completed your core technical coursework — typically after Machine Learning, Data Mining, Big Data Programming, and Database Systems are on your transcript. At that point you have a genuinely competitive profile: companies recruiting data science interns want exactly that combination of skills, and you will be able to speak to real projects in your interviews.
Whether you started in Fall or Spring, the same principle applies: start searching at least one full semester before your desired internship start date. The best offers — especially at larger technology, finance, and healthcare companies — close well before the internship season begins. Do not wait until the semester you want to intern.
Step-by-Step: How to Register
Step 1 — Secure a written internship offer
Before doing anything else, you need a formal written offer letter from your employer. Review it carefully against the requirements below before contacting anyone at GSU.
Step 2 — Contact the BDML Program Director
Email the BDML Program Director (yours truly) with your offer letter attached. Please review the offer letter checklist below carefully before reaching out — a quick self-check on your end saves everyone time and avoids back-and-forth. The Program Director will verify that:
- Your offer letter meets all the requirements listed in the checklist below
- Your current appointment status (GTA/GRA, if applicable) is compatible with the internship in terms of timing and department policies
Step 3 — Get added to DSCI 8940
Once the offer is approved, Dr. Angryk will contact the academic advisor to enroll you in DSCI 8940 for the appropriate semester.
Step 4 — International students: file your CPT request with ISSS
After enrolling in DSCI 8940, international students must contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to file their CPT request. Include Dr. Angryk’s email (rangryk@gsu.edu) as the faculty contact for approval. Dr. Angryk will complete the required portions of the CPT form based on the scope of work described in your offer letter.
Important: International students must have completed at least two full semesters of academic study in the United States before beginning a CPT internship. This is a federal requirement — not a GSU policy — and cannot be waived.
Offer Letter Requirements
This is the most common source of delays. Before submitting your offer letter for review, confirm it explicitly includes all of the following:
| Required Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Company full name | Legal entity name as registered |
| Full physical address | Street address, City, State, and Zip Code — a P.O. box is not sufficient |
| Exact start date | Must not be before the semester start date |
| Exact end date | Must not exceed the semester end date |
| Hours per week | Must specify an exact number, or state “20 hours or less” (part-time) or “21 hours or more” (full-time) — phrases like “standard work week” are not accepted by ISSS |
If any of these items are missing or misaligned with semester dates, request a corrected letter from your employer’s HR department before contacting GSU. ISSS will reject CPT applications that do not meet these requirements, and reprocessing causes significant delays.
What Counts as a “Data Science” Internship?
Your internship role should involve substantive work in data science, machine learning, data engineering, or a closely related technical area. Examples of qualifying roles include:
- Data Science Intern
- Machine Learning Engineer Intern
- Data Engineering Intern
- AI/ML Research Intern
- Business Intelligence / Analytics Intern (with ML or data pipeline component)
- Quantitative Research Intern (with data science focus)
If you are unsure whether your offer qualifies, share it with the BDML Program Director (yours truly) before accepting — it is much easier to assess eligibility before you commit.
GTA and GRA Students
Students on Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) appointments should have a brief conversation with both the BDML Program Director and their direct supervisor before accepting an internship offer. Policies on outside employment can vary by appointment type and department, and it is much easier to clarify expectations — timing, hours, any overlap with duties — before committing to an offer than after.
Internship Planning Checklist
| Milestone | Recommended Timing |
|---|---|
| Begin internship search | At least one full semester before your desired start date — the earlier the better |
| Latest to start searching | No later than the beginning of the semester prior to your desired internship |
| Submit offer for review | At least 3–4 weeks before the semester start date |
| ISSS CPT filing | Only after DSCI 8940 enrollment is confirmed |
| Internship start date | No earlier than the first day of the semester |
| Internship end date | No later than the last day of the semester |
| Multi-semester internships | If your internship spans more than one semester, you will need a separate offer letter and separate DSCI 8940 enrollment for each semester — plan accordingly and discuss with the Program Director early |
Contact
All internship matters for BDML students are handled by the BDML Program Director:
Dr. Rafal Angryk rangryk@gsu.edu BDML Program Director, Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University
Please do not contact ISSS or your academic advisor before the offer letter has been reviewed and approved by the Program Director.
BDML Quick Links
- BDML Program Overview — Program mission, value proposition, and ss
- Already a GSU Undergraduate? — No-repeat rules and direct admit info
- 4+1 Dual Degree: BS-CS → BDML — Accelerated pathway for CS undergrads (Spring 2027)
- 4+1 Dual Degree: BS-DS → BDML — Accelerated pathway for DS undergrads (Fall 2026)
- Funding & Assistantships — GTA/GRA automatic consideration and requirements
- Capstone Project — DSCI 8930 requirements and expectations