COE 201 - Cooperative Education I

The purpose of the Cooperative Education/Internship program is to provide practical experiences for students that complement their academic studies and introduce them to the world of work with its corresponding professional activities. These work-based learning experiences promote the application of theoretical knowledge and research skills acquired in the classroom to a productive and supervised experiential work site outside the formal classroom environment. Cooperative education and internships assist students in the career development process by enabling them to examine their abilities, values, and interests while applying them to an actual career experience.One distinction between cooperative education and an internship is that co-op assignments are, more often than not, paid work experiences. Internships usually are non-paid, volunteer assignments and are often combined with additional readings and research. The granting of academic credit for an approved work experience is determined by the student’s faculty sponsor and the university coordinator after an examination of the following criteria: nature of the work to be performed, the proposed learning objectives, the number of weeks involved, and the anticipated hours per week. (Note: Students must generally work 70 hours for each credit earned, but these hours must be relevant to the stated learning objectives.) Students must apply to the coordinator for cooperative education/internship before registering for the class. It is strongly recommended that planning and application for all cooperative education and internship experiences begin during the semester prior to participation. Many fields of study require as a condition of graduation the completion of one or more training programs or courses in an outside clinical or professional setting, such as a hospital, clinic, professional office, or public classroom. These outside institutions, offices, and schools that provide the environmental opportunities to students sometimes impose additional requirements as conditions of participation in their programs. Such requirements might include evidence of a recent medical examination; evidence of health, auto or other insurance; a written agreement to personally accept and abide by the rules and regulations of that institution; the execution of an indemnity agreement or release relative to personal liability or liability to others; and similar requirements pertinent to the particular study program. The University assumes assent and compliance to such requirements, rules, and regulations by each student upon his or her enrollment in those courses involving outside study. Basic, entry-level work-learning experience in an institution and/or business that relates to the student’s career interests or academic field.

Prerequisites: Open to students who have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours or permission of the instructor

Course Typically Offered: Every Fall and Spring

Credits: 1 -12