Business and Economics Professional Co-ops
“Having actual accounting experience to talk about, knowing how to navigate SAP, and being able to speak to what month-end close looks like gives me a level of credibility I did not have before.”
-Zoe Limoli, ’27
Accounting Co-op at Wayfair
The UMass Lowell Professional Co-op Option is available for all concentrations in the Manning School of Business and all majors within the Department of Economics.
As a business or economics student, your co-op experiences will add depth to your classroom studies, provide exposure to career paths and opportunities, and enable you to develop the skills needed to be successful in today’s global business environment.
Students have the opportunity to work in co-op positions at organizations that encompass all business functions across a diverse range of industries, sectors and locations. Students are encouraged to participate in up to two co-ops, three or six months in duration, exploring opportunities with UMass Lowell’s employer partners, located both regionally and nationally.
Through co-op, a student can develop:
- Extensive work experience
- An informed idea of the work environment they prefer
- Increased business insight
- A better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses
- A stronger, more competitive resume
- A network of contacts in the professional world
Students may choose to complete either:
- One four-month spring semester co-op experience (Accounting students only)
- One six-month co-op experience or
- One summer co-op/intern experience
Sample Business and Economics Co-op Employers
More than 200 employers have hired UMass Lowell business and economics students since 2011. Here are a few:
Co-op Cycles
Students in all business concentrations and economics majors can participate through partnerships with regional and national employers. Co-op work terms align with the UMass Lowell fall, spring and summer academic calendar:
- January – April (Accounting students only)
- January-June
- July-December
- Summer-only
Getting Started
All undergraduate business and economics students begin the co-op sequence with the required BUSI.2100: Professional Development Seminar (PDS), typically during their sophomore or junior year.
This one-credit course prepares students to engage in a professional job search process through:
- Resume development
- Interview preparation
- Career exploration and decision-making
- Professional workplace expectations
Students become eligible to pursue co-op opportunities while enrolled in the seminar. To register for the seminar, students must first apply and be accepted to the Professional Co-op Program.
Academic Planning
Because students work full-time during co-op terms, careful academic planning is important. Students should work with their academic or faculty advisor to ensure co-op experiences fit within their degree requirements.
Academic Credit
Students are able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework after their co-op experience (Assessment) for a course in their program of study.
| Course | Credit |
|---|---|
| PDS | 1 credit |
| Co-op Experience | 0 credits |
| Assessment | 3 credits |
Business students can substitute 3 credits earned from Co-op Assessment towards a Manning School of Business elective. Economics and Quantitative Economics students can substitute 3 credits earned from Co-op Assessment towards a free elective.
Tuition and Student Status
Students do not pay tuition during co-op work terms. However, there is a small fee for registering students in the co-op experience course. While on co-op, students are still considered full-time and maintain their student status. Maintaining student status allows students to:
- Maintain eligibility for student loans and healthcare coverage
- Live in university housing (room and board charges apply)
- Participate in student organizations
- Access campus resources and services
Students should consult The Solution Center regarding scholarship eligibility during co-op terms.
Support from Co-op Advisors
Every co-op student works with a dedicated co-op advisor who provides guidance before, during and after the co-op experience. Co-op advisors help students:
- Prepare for the job search
- Identify opportunities that match their interests and goals
- Improve resumes and interviewing skills
- Navigate workplace expectations
- Connect with employer partners
Advisors also collaborate with employers to develop and maintain meaningful co-op opportunities that support students’ educational and professional growth.
