Cooperative Education

If you are interested in enrolling in Cooperative Education, please contact the department of your major course of study. They will determine your eligibility for this course.

What is Cooperative Education?

• A program which combines classroom theory with supervised work experience
• Student earns college credit for planned growth in career-related job
• Joint agreement is set up among employer, college, and student

What are the Benefits to the Student?

• Gains valuable experience in field of study
• Learning becomes more relevant
• Develops additional skills and knowledge
• Able to work on projects and with equipment not available on campus
• Improves self-confidence, responsibility
• Establishes contacts with employers; begins networking for future jobs
• Has chance to make informed decisions about job compatibility

What are the Benefits to the Employer?

• Offers a cost-effective screening program for recruiting highly qualified students
• Gains motivated, enthusiastic employees whose work is evaluated and translated into college credits
• Experiences less employee turnover through contact with faculty-coordinator and cooperative education office
• Provides the chance to communicate business and industry needs to the college
• May experience lower recruiting and training costs with trained co-op students who are able to move into more permanent positions

What are the Benefits to the College?

• Experiences higher retention rate since students see the relevance of education to job requirements
• Receives valuable, current input from business and industry concerning labor market conditions with implications for course content and placement opportunities
• Relationships with business community enhanced
• Utilizes skill and knowledge of outstanding individuals in business to assist in the training of students
• Uses facilities of business and industry to extend educational opportunities