USA Career Services - Co-Op Program

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Co-Op Program

Cooperative Education is an optional educational program which allows USA students to integrate periods of classroom study with periods of paid practical work experience related to their academic major. Students work in business, industry, and government agencies. While working, Co-Op students earn a competitive salary and may receive benefit packages. Salaries depend on many factors including the employer, students' academic standing, major field, and work performance.

Please contact USA Career Services at (251) 460-6188 for more information.

Benefits of Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education offers students more benefits than just financial gain. The work experience provides:

The opportunity to gain practical on-the-job experience that is progressive in learning and directly related to the student's academic major.
Orientation and exposure to the "real" world of work.
A chance to evaluate career choices while actually working in a chosen field.
The integration of classroom theory with actual industry practices.
A change of pace from the typical college routine.
The opportunity to be a stronger, more competitive job candidate with a higher starting salary upon graduation.

Alternating versus Parallel

USA's Co-Op Program offers two options to accommodate the needs of employers and students. The "alternating" option allows students to alternate semesters of full-time study with full-time periods of work. The "parallel" option allows students to work part-time while enrolled in courses full-time at USA.

The alternating option is highly recommended for students in engineering and other technical fields.

All Co-Op students enroll in a non-credit course while working. Alternating students retain their full-time status during work semesters. Summer is considered a semester by the USA Co-Op Program.

For more information on the USA Co-Op Program, please contact Career Services at (251) 460-6188.

Tara Portillo
Major: Psychology
Position: Physical Therapy Burn and Wound Care Technician, USA Children's and Women's Hospital
Received the 2004-2005 Co-Op of the Year Award
"I enjoyed and appreciated the time with the Co-Op experience. I have mentioned it to many. It is just so very rewarding to see the healing process of a burn patient. Knowing that I have played a role in helping someone is what is precious to me. I loved this position so much that I am continuing to work here to help others."

Co-Op Requirements

Twenty-four (24) hours of earned academic credit must appear on the official USA transcript. Credit may be earned at USA or transferred from another college or university.
A minimum overall GPA of 2.30 must be met and maintained for the duration of participation in the program.
All program participants must view the 12 minute Employability Skills Seminar. A completed resume must be uploaded to the Career Services database and approved before employment interviews may begin.
Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester when in class.
Graduate students must maintain a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester when in class.
All Co-Op students must register for the appropriate Cooperative Education (COE) course each work term. Course listings may be found in the USA Bulletin .

Although no credit hours are assigned to Cooperative Education courses, a grade of Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) is assigned at the end of each work term and will appear on the official University transcript.