The Program
What are Co-ops and Internships?
Cooperative Education provides an opportunity for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to career-related employment by alternating periods of full-time study with periods of full-time paid employment. The co-op program requires a commitment from the student for a minimum of three work periods.
Internships provide the same valuable paid work experience but are arranged with the employer for only one or two-week periods.
Benefits of a Co-op Program
- Earn money to finance college education
- Explore career opportunities
- Enrich classroom learning through real-world experience
- Accumulate actual career-related work experience
- Enhance marketability after graduation
- Establish professional contacts
- Improve communication and interpersonal skills
Eligibility
Students interested in the co-op program are strongly encouraged to apply during the freshman year. Applications may be submitted the semester a student will complete the freshman courses. In general, the co-op student must:
- Be enrolled in a major that permits a co-op
- Maintain full-time student status
- Meet all academic requirements
- Be eligible to work in the US
In all cases, decisions on a student’s eligibility and scheduling will be determined by the Co-op Office and the student’s academic advisor.
Co-op Schedule
Co-op is voluntary, not for credit, and work periods alternate with periods of study that are approximately equal in length. The program does not add to the required course work, but rearranges the academic curriculum into a five-year program. Approximately one additional year is necessary to complete all academic degree requirements and participate in the co-op program.
The Process
Initial Steps
Following an interview with the Co-op Director, qualified students will be assisted with the following:
- Completion of application material
- Review potential employers
- Prepare a resume
- Develop job campaign skills
- Arrange interview with employers
Faculty Participation
When a student accepts an offer for co-op employment, an individualized work/school plan is developed. The Co-op Office, the employer, the student and the student’s academic advisor are involved in this process. The work/school plan projects a student’s co-op work periods and academic curriculum needed for graduation.
Choosing Employers
The student cannot interview with other employers. A student will usually stay with the same employer throughout the co-op program.
On Assignment
During each work period, the Co-op Office is the main point of campus contact for participating students. The office is also responsible for insuring the quality of the co-op experience.
Students will supply up-to-date contact information, submit work term activity reports and participate in the work team evaluation as required by the Co-op Office.
The Co-op Office will, in addition, coordinate the distribution of class registration, financial aid and housing information to the students during transitions between work and study periods.
Pay
Co-op is an employer paid work experience allowing students to earn money to help with financial expenses. Rates of pay vary depending upon the employer and will usually increase with each additional work period.
On-Campus
Registration
To remain in full-time student status during each work period, the co-op student must register for a designated noncredit co-op course. The co-op work record will appear on the student’s official academic transcript.
Tuition and Fees
No fee is required to apply to the co-op program. However, a modest administrative fee is required before starting each co-op work period. All prior college account balances must be paid before the co-op registration can be processed.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is not awarded during a co-op work period. If student’s need financial assistance for returning study periods, you must apply following regular Financial Aid Office procedures. Within federal regulation guidelines, the Financial Aid Office will try to ensure that participants are not penalized on their eligibility for financial aid.
Housing
During the co-op work period, the student may remain on campus, live at home, or arrange for housing at or near the work site. Some co-op employers assist students with relocation expenses and arrangements. Students remaining on campus must pay the normal housing and meal plan fees.
Participating Programs
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Management Information Systems
- Printing Management
- Engineering Technology
- Industrial Technology
- Electronic Engineering Technology
- Industrial Relations
Contact Information
Cantrell Miller, Director
Career Services and Cooperative Education
Old Main – 326
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Montgomery, WV 25136
Telephone: 304.442.3185
Fax: 304.442.3464
E-mail: career@wvutech.edu
