Cooperative Education and Service Programs

The Cooperative Education Program offers students an opportunity to integrate classroom theory with planned periods of practical "real world" work assignments that alternate formal coursework with employers in business, industry, government and the non-profit sector. Employers assign work which is relevant to each student's academic degree program or career interests, provide on-the-job supervision, and evaluate per-formance on a regular basis.

The program is optional and is open to any major at the University. Registration requires departmental approval. Academic credit is awarded upon completion of requirements under a "Student Learning Contract." Co-op assignments may be paid or non-paid.

Majors/Options. Cooperative Education is open to all majors/options.
Consult Departmental Chairperson within your discipline for eligibility.

Eligibility. For application the student must:
1. Complete a minimum of 70 credit hours of courses.
2. Non-traditional and/or students with 1-69 credit hours must be approved by the Department Chair/College Dean and Agency/Practice/Co-op (APC) Instructor to participate.
3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. (The minimum average is subject to change pending employer requirements).
4. Submit a professional rèsumè.
5. Sign the Buckley Amendment.
6. Provide written approval from academic advisor or Department Chair.
7. Participate in on-campus interviews to acquire assignment. (Optional)
8. Have a declared major.
NOTE: Parental consent may be required.
Registration
After confirmation of a co-op assignment:
1. Pick up registration form from co-op counselor, academic advisor or the Office of the Registrar.
2. Obtain signature from the co-op counselor located in the Center.
3. Officially enroll in one of the following course
numbers:
APC 299-01- (students with 1-93 credit hrs.)
APC 399-01- (students with 94-140 credit hrs.) APC 499-01- (students with 141 credit hrs.)
4. Registration may be completed at the Office of the Registrar.
5. Meet with co-op counselor to obtain information packet.
6. Student may select one of the four (4) academic quarters to participate.
7. Financial aid award letter, fees and quarterly regis-tration must be complete before assignment is final.
NOTE: A student may register for a maximum of 6 hours of course work while on co-op and must obtain prior approval from the academic advisor. A student may enroll for 1-6 hours of coursework at a University near his/her assignment. This may result in a course overload. Consult the academic advisor or Registrar for details. Failure to follow the above co-op registration procedures will result in cancellation of assignment and credit.

Academic Credit. Academic credit is awarded as follows:
· A final report and employer evaluation must be submitted and approved by an APC instructor at the end of the co-op assignment before credit (CR) is awarded. Co-op credit will appear on the transcript as "Earned Hours" and will have no effect on cumulative grade point average. There is no letter grade for co-op.
· A student must satisfactorily complete 2 quarters of approved co-op credit (CR) in addition to 172 quality hours to graduate.
· A student who completes 1 co-op with CR, will gain work experience only, and must complete 186 quality hours to graduate.
· A student must be officially registered within the quarter of the assignment to receive co-op credit. Credit is not awarded retroactively.
· A student may participate in more than 2 assign-ments; however, additional hours will not count towards graduation.
· Consult the academic advisor or the Office of the
Registrar to determine hours, if any, that may be substituted for co-op.
NOTE: Co-op guidelines/policies listed herein are subject to change. Consult the Career Services Center or Office of the Registrar.