About Cooperative Education

Co-op is an effort between employers and the college to provide valuable, paid, career-related jobs in the students' chosen career field. Students benefit from the opportunities gained by building a career-oriented work record, thus increasing the students' marketability and value to employers upon graduation. Co-op also offers a chance to make wise career choices by identifying interests and talents and exploring options within the field of study.

Benefits of Co-op
Co-op Syllabus
Co-op Workbook Directions
Co-op Student Calendar (Fall 08)
Co-op Student Open Entry Calendar (Fall 08)
Summary of Co-Op Requirements

Co-op is open to students in the technical, vocational, and college transfer areas, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Be enrolled in one of the state approved Co-op curriculums
2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (this may be lower depending on the curriculum)
3. Successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in the program of study (with 3 credit hours in the core) for degree and diploma students; a minimum of 9 credit hours in the program of study for certificate students.
4. Successfully met the eligibility requirements for the student’s program of study (as determined by the faculty).
5. Be recommended and approved by the Co-op Faculty Coordinator and the Cooperative Education Office.

Faculty Coordinator List

Students apply for positions of their choice. The work experience is either concurrent or alternating with classroom studies. In addition, students receive academic credit for the co-op experience. For many of our students, co-op provides an extra means of financial support.


Application (Word format)
Instructions: Complete the application and bring it to the Cooperative Education office. You will need to speak to a Co-op staff member to receive other forms before being able to register. For location of offices and Co-op Coordinators see below.

To learn more about how you may participate in the Co-op Program, please call 330-6217 or come to the Co-op Office located in Kratt Hall, Room 121 on the Central Campus. For dates and times of availability on other campuses, please click here.


Using Your Current Job for Cooperative Education Academic Credit
More than 50% of the students at CPCC are part-time students already employed in full or part-time positions.
For academic credit, the following guideline has been established for the possible use with your present job. It is the intent of this guideline to provide students with the option of receiving academic credit through a Co-op
work experience that is linked to their present full-time or part-time position.

*All students must meet the co-op program entry requirements.

In addition, one or more of the following criteria must be met:
1.The student must be acquiring significant new skills or knowledge related to the academic field of study, and/or
2.The student must be developing a recently learned skill or applying recently learned knowledge related to the academic field of study, and/or
3.The student must be receiving increased levels of responsibility related to the academic field of study, and/or
4.The employer agrees to assist with an evaluation of the students' progress.
The intent is to provide a quality Cooperative Education experience which enhances the student's academic
knowledge, professional preparation and personal development.

Using Work-Study Positions for Cooperative Education Academic Credit
Many students at CPCC are working in Work-Study positions that are directly related to the student's program of study. If you meet the general Cooperative Education minimum requirements, it is possible that your work-study job may qualify for Cooperative Education academic credit. Students should inform the Student Financial Aid Office of intent and receive permission to participate.