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Learn more about internships and cooperative education

Prepare for Leadership, Test Skills and Abilities, Build Your Resume, Gain Practical Experience.

Get a Head Start

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Cooperative Education Program broadens and enhances your education by supplementing academic programs with professional work experience and, at the same time, earn credits toward your undergraduate degree.

The Cooperative Education Program enables you to combine classroom learning with practical experience and provides an opportunity to utilize skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom.

You may choose from a wide range of co-op employment positions offered by corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in the area. You may explore more than one professional field of interest and make career contacts along the way—all while earning credits.

Benefits of Cooperative Education

• Experience in your career field
• Exposure to employers who may support your future job applications
• Opportunity to work in a variety of fields
• On-the-job experience to develop your maturity and confidence
• Academic credit toward graduation

How to Qualify for the CO-OP Ed Program

• Must have 2.0 minimum cumulative average
• Complete a minimum of 45 credit hours and a minimum of 6 credits in his/her declared major
• Be accepted by a major academic department
• Obtain approval from the department chairperson in a major field of study

Credits for Experience

As an undergraduate, you may earn up to 12 credits toward your degree through either part-time or full-time work experience. The number of credits you receive is based on the number of hours you work per week.

Application of Credits

Credits earned can be applied toward your free electives or electives in your major department. You must check with your department chairperson for specific inclusion within your particular degree program.

Gaining an Advantage

As a Cooperative Education student, you are offered entry-level, professional positions with local, national, and international organizations. These include banks, newspapers, service organizations, large and small corporations, insurance companies, design studios, hospitals, etc. No matter what your area of interest from business to the arts, media to mathematics, criminal justice to sociology, chances are you will find a co-op experience to fit your field.

How to Apply

You are welcome to stop in, email, or telephone to arrange for a personal interview with a cooperative education program counselor. The counselor provides you with an application, assists you in developing a resume, and helps you register for cooperative education credit.

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Student, Faculty, Coordinator, Employer

When you are hired for an internship position, you function exactly as a regular employee at the place of business, fulfilling all the normal duties and responsibilities of the job. In addition, you are responsible for a project which is developed in consultation with the faculty coordinator, and you attend one evening seminar at the University.

Cooperative Education Counselor

The cooperative education counselor assists you in goal-setting, career decision-making,  and seeks work experiences appropriate to your interests and major field of study. The counselor provides career information, helps with the preparation of your resume, and assists with interviewing skills. When you are accepted for a co-op position, the counselor will assist you by providing on-the-job coaching.

Faculty Coordinator

• Each cooperative education student is registered for a class and instructor. The instructor is responsible for:
• Developing a Cooperative Education Learning Agreement with the student.
• Providing assignments and scheduling class meetings.
• Maintaining frequent contact during the student’s work experience.
• Assigning the student’s final grades

Cooperative Education Employer

The cooperative education employer offers the  student a constructive and interesting work program. The employer communicates regularly with university staff, developing an understanding  of the relationship between the workplace and academic goals.

Contact Us

Gilligan Student Union Building (GSUB), Room 124

For additional information, contact the Center for Career and Professional Development 201-200-3005.

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