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What is Cooperative Education (Co-op)?

"Cooperative Education is a structured educational strategy integrating classroom studies with learning through productive work experiences in a field related to the student's academic or career goals. It provides progressive experiences in integrating theory and practice. Co-op is a partnership among students, educational institutions and employers, with specified responsibilities for each party."

Defined by the National Commission for Cooperative Education

There are three (3) types of co-op schedules to accommodate both the employer's needs and the student's needs. One type of schedule allows the student to alternate periods of full-time work and school. The second schedule, referred to as parallel, allows the student to work part-time and attend classes part-time. The third type is the single semester schedule which involves the student working full-time for only one semester. This type of co-op caters to the employer's need for a short-term assignment. As the employer, you decide the type of schedule desired.

A student interested in participating in a co-op with your organization, must meet the following requirements and commitments:

• Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. The employer and/or academic department may require a higher GPA.
• Must have completed thirty (30) credit hours applicable toward his/her degree. The employer and/or academic department may establish higher credit hour requirements.
• Must get approval from his/her academic college.
• Undergraduates can participate in a maximum of three (3) semesters of employment. Graduate students can participate in a maximum of two (2) semesters of employment.
• Must meet with Career Services to complete all necessary paperwork. Appropriate signatures must be obtained for approval.
• Must pay the co-op registration fee before leaving for work.
• Must pursue academic curriculum on a full-time basis during "school" semesters.

Value / Benefits of Cooperative Education for Employers

• Provides an excellent pool of well-prepared employees.
• Improves personnel selection process by using actual on-the-job performance as a basis for permanent hiring decisions.
• Increases cost-effectiveness of recruitment and training. Studies show employers save money by using co-op to identify and train personnel.
• Improves workforce diversity through access to minority students for permanent employment.
• Increases retention rates among permanent employees recruited and hired through a co-op program. Both students and employers have the time to try out the position and ensure that the fit is the most productive and effective for both.
• Enhances human resource flexibility with effective short-term employees.
• Strengthens company relations with colleges and students. Through evaluations, advisory boards and other means, employers can work with colleges to ensure an effective curriculum.

Source: National Commission for Cooperative Education

Responsibilities of the Co-op Employer

• Develop a job description that clearly communicates your expectations. Identify if the co-op requires an alternating, parallel or single semester schedule. Specify minimum work periods.
• Provide employment related to the student's field of study. The work experience should supplement, enhance and utilize the student's background. In addition, the student should expand and enhance his/her abilities and educational development. Finally, the work should offer increasing involvement and responsibility.
• Provide the supervision of a qualified manager who can offer guidance, training and career development. The supervision should be on-going and should include routine evaluations.
• Support the university's academic standards required for entrance to and continuation in the Cooperative Education Program.
• Document and evaluate the student's performance. Complete and return required evaluation forms in a timely manner.
• Prepare for each work semester for which the student is involved. Stay in contact with the student and obtain any return to work information / paperwork needed. Apprise student of project and/or job responsibility status. Inform other employees at the company of the student's return and take care of any personnel matters.
• Inform the Career Services office when you hire a Co-op by completing the Employer Report

Setting up a Cooperative Education Program

1. Initiate co-op program
   a. Establish objectives for program
   b. Gain top management support
   c. Allocate resources
   d. Identify coordinator



2. Perform pre-employment activities
   a. Plan co-op assignments
   b. Establish criteria for positions
   c. Review compensation for positions
   d. Determine selection method
   e. Contact university co-op program



3. Employment activities
   a. Select students
   b. Make offers/rejections
   c. Offer relocation assistance



4. Perform work orientation activities
   a. Provide organizational orientation
   b. Provide technical orientation



5. During work period
   a. Include co-op in staff activities
   b. Perform supervisor responsibilities
   c. Evaluate co-op progress
   d. Conduct exit interview



6. Co-op student returns to school



7. Post-work contact
   a. Obtain student information
   b. Apprise student of project status
   c. Send company newsletter
   d. Obtain return to work information



8. Co-op student graduates
   a. Maintain contact with co-op
   b. Provide full-time assignment, if available
   c. Provide compensation figures