Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a structured educational program which integrates classroom learning and practical hands-on experience in a field related to a student's academic or career goals. The fundamental purpose of Cooperative Education is for students to have an opportunity to learn in real-work conditions. Co-op is a partnership among students, educational institutions, and employers, where the student works full time in lieu of attending class.

Overview

Students in the program work full-time, the equivalent of 35+ hours/week. Students working in a co-op position pay a $45 registration fee and a predetermined infrastructure fee, which maintains their full-time student status at the University while they are working.  The work cycle for Cooperative Education is typically six to eight months. The Fall cycle lasts from July 1 to December 31 and the Spring cycle runs from January 1 to June 30.

To learn about how to find a Co-op and make the most out of your experience, click here for the table of contents to the Internship/Co-op Guidebook.

Eligibility

• Qualified students must have completed 24 credits.
• Qualified students will have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and be in good academic standing.
• Student must be a full-time matriculated undergraduate enrolled at UConn.

Note: Students not meeting these eligibility requirements will not be recognized as official UConn co-op students.

Application Process

Application to co-op positions is made during the semester immediately preceding the work assignment. You can find positions by using Career Services' online recruiting system, HuskyCareerLink, networking with faculty, and doing research on individual companies. It is highly encouraged and recommended that you meet with a member of Career Services to review your options as you begin the application process.

Registration

Once you have been offered a position, you must meet with the Internship Coordinator prior to starting your job. Paperwork will need to be completed prior to beginning work. Students may call 860-486-3013 to schedule an appointment to review the requirements. At this appointment, you need to bring your offer letter, unofficial transcript, and current resume.