Co-op / Internships
Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a formal program integrating multiple terms of work
and academics. Students work in professional assignments directly related to their
major. Students on the alternating plan rotate semesters of full-time work with semesters
of full-time school. Students are required to meet and maintain an institutional GPA
of 2.3 or higher and remain in good standing with the university in order to be eligible.
Internships
The internship program option allows students to participate in either a part-time
or full-time work experience to complement the student’s major or field of study.
Students are required to meet and maintain an institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher and
remain in good standing with the university in order to be eligible. The student,
employer, and the university work collaboratively to structure the work plan.
Program Participation
Co-op and Internships are designed to supplement classroom experience and to promote
academic and professional development. Students generally complete one year of courses
prior to beginning an assignment. Students receive academic recognition through a
transcript notation for participating in the Cooperative Education or Internship Program,
though they do not earn academic credit hours. Employers and students appreciate this
official recognition because it reflects a student’s desire to obtain practical work
experience while pursuing the degree.
Co-op and Internships are educational in scope; we communicate and monitor students’
progress throughout the term. Students submit evaluative assignments throughout the
semester that reflect upon and summarize their work experiences and progress. Students
also receive informal and formal feedback through the supervisory evaluation process.
Undergraduate students may apply based on general program requirements, including
being classified as a full-time student upon participation in the program, the completion
of 24 credit hours, and an overall institutional GPA of 2.3 or higher for the Co-op
option and an overall institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher for the Internship option.
Graduate students may apply after they are accepted into a graduate program. Program
requirements may vary based upon the student’s academic college. While the program
is open to all academic majors, there are some majors/academic departments in which
the curriculum may not support a particular work-schedule option. Students on study
visas are not eligible to enroll in the program without prior approval from the Office
of Immigration and International Admissions.
Both the Co-op and Internship programs provide valuable experience and flexibility
for students and employers. For more information, please contact Career Services at
(251) 460-6188.