What is Cooperative Education?
Cooperative education is a nationally recognized educational plan that integrates academic study and paid, real world work experience. More than 1,000 educational institutions have cooperated with business, industry, government, and other private and public agencies to offer work assignments related to students' educational programs and career objectives.
The University of Michigan-Dearborn established its Arts, Sciences, & Letters Cooperative Education Program in 1973. Co-op students who have participated in the program report that co-op gave them a rare opportunity to achieve personal and professional growth.
The co-op student is a candidate for degree, generally working a minimum of two co-op work terms.
Thus, cooperative education is not work/study, nor merely work experience. Although many students may hold jobs while going to school, only students in officially recognized and college-monitored programs are cooperative education students.
Further, co-op (by definition) is not an internship, which is generally a one-time only experience and which is unpaid and often one semester in length.
An eligible student must:
- be admitted to a degree program in CASL.
- have completed 30 credit hours (sophomore status).
- transfer students must have completed 12 credit hours at U of M-Dearborn.
- maintain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.25.
To apply:
- complete a co-op application, available at the Co-op Office, Room 1038 CASL Building.
- complete a resume. Get help and advice if you need it. The resume is a screening tool for employers.
- arrange for an appointment with the co-op director to review career opportunities and program requirements.