Cooperative Co-op Education Program
Program Description
Cooperative education co-op is an educational model that integrates academic study with paid, discipline-related work experience. Students may choose to complete a full time co-op experience, as an alternative to the internship requirement, gaining structured, field specific professional experience that complements their academic studies.
The co‑op placement is a carefully planned, six month, full time work experience with an organization related to the student’s field of study. Students receive academic credit for their first co‑op, which is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Program Oversight and Support
The Co‑op and Career Coordinator, in collaboration with the Careers Office, oversees the cooperative education program. Their responsibilities include identifying, evaluating, and approving appropriate placement opportunities.
While the Careers Office actively sources co‑op positions, students are encouraged to propose organizations of interest by submitting contact details of potential host employers. Detailed eligibility criteria, requirements, and procedures are outlined in the Co-op Handbook.
Program Structure
The co-op program consists of structured, full time work placements integrated within the academic program.
- Each co-op placement spans six consecutive months (26 weeks).
- First co-op
- Typically completed after six academic semesters
- Requires the successful completion of at least 90 credits within the program structure
- Requires a minimum CGPA of 3.25
- Carries 2 academic credits assessed on pass/fail basis based on employer evaluation and academic deliverables
- Typically scheduled during the Summer and Fall semesters
- Second co-op (Optional)
- Typically undertaken one year after the successful completion of the first co-op
- Typically scheduled during the Spring and Summer semesters
- Does not carry academic credit
Sample Study Plan
| Year |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| 1 |
Study |
Study |
Study |
| 2 |
Study |
Study |
Study |
| 3 |
Study |
Study |
Co-op |
| 4 |
Co-op |
Study |
Study |
| 5 |
Study |
Co-op |
Co-op |
Eligibility
During the pilot phase, the Co-op Program is available only to students admitted under the Fall 2023–2024 catalog year. Eligibility will be expanded to additional catalog years in future phases.
Enrollment and Approval Process
- Application Submission
Students submit a formal request to enroll in the Co-op Program through KU Connect.
- Scholarship Approval
Approval from the Scholarship Office is required to confirm that the co-op experience meets scholarship conditions.
- Placement Identification
The Career Office works with students to identify suitable placements, either from positions sourced by the office or organizations proposed by the students.
- Final Placement Approval
All placements must be approved by the Co-op and Career Coordinators.
- Academic Approval and Enrollment
Once the Career Office confirms the placement, the enrollment request is forwarded to the student’s academic advisor, department chair, and associate dean for final academic approval to ensure alignment with degree requirements.