Co-op Coursework and Credits
Course Descriptions
The Professional Development Seminar is a required preparatory co-op course, typically taken the semester before a student’s first co-op experience. It is designed to provide students with the necessary structure, resources, and support to successfully secure and engage in their first cooperative education experience. Through a variety of interactive teaching methodologies and assignments, students will participate in a sequence of learning activities to assist them in their career development and preparation of job search materials.
While out on co-op, students are enrolled in a zero-credit, pass/fail graded Co-op Work Experience course that maintains their full-time student status. Although the emphasis is on the co-op work experience at the company, students complete a few assignments to assist in reflecting on their experience.
At the conclusion of the first co-op, students enroll in Co-op Assessment I to further promote reflection on their learning experience, to incorporate their co-op into their job search materials and future interviews and to assess how their experience impacts future career decisions:
At the conclusion of a second co-op, students enroll in Co-op Assessment II for continued assessment of their cooperative education experience and gain support for their transition from undergraduate student to full-time employee or graduate student:
In both Co-op Assessment I and II, students review their overall performance and present their technical and professional skills through written work and public presentations. Students also have the opportunity to further explore skill development, reflect on their future career/academic goals, enhance their professional networks and develop an action plan to support their goals.
Course Credits
| Course Title | Course Credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Development Seminar | 1 credit |
| Co-op Work Experience | 0 credits |
| Assessment (3 month co-op) | 1 credit*+ |
| Assessment (6 month co-op) | 2 credits* |
*Business students will enroll in a 2-credit Assessment course after a 3 month co-op or a 3-credit Assessment course after a 6 month co-op.
+Plastics Engineering students will enroll in a 2-credit Assessment course after a second 3 month co-op.
Course Substitutions
After successful completion of the required co-op coursework, students may be able to substitute 3 earned credits towards a course in their program of study. To learn more about the academic credit substitution for co-op coursework, select your college or academic department below.
Students are able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework before and after their co-op experience (Professional Development Seminar and Assessment) for a free elective.
Students may be able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework before and after their co-op experience (Professional Development Seminar and Assessment) for a course in their program of study. If you have questions about eligible course substitutions, please contact the co-op advisor for Economics, Melissa Welch.
Undergraduate students are able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework before and after their co-op experience (Professional Development Seminar and Assessment) for a technical elective in their major if one is available. Students can substitute only one technical elective by using co-op program credits and should work closely with their academic advisor to plan their degree pathway.
Plastics Engineering students are required to take the Professional Development Seminar as a part of their major requirements. Plastics Engineering students must earn 3 credits through two co-op experiences and Assessment courses to substitute a technical elective.
Students are able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework before and after their co-op experience (Professional Development Seminar and Assessment) for a course in their program of study, dependent on their major:
Computer Science: Can waive the requirement to complete Oral and Written Communication. Students must still take 3 Arts & Humanities electives.
All other Kennedy College of Sciences majors: Can substitute the co-op coursework credits for an elective.
Students are able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework before and after their co-op experience (Professional Development Seminar and Assessment) for a course in their program of study, dependent on the length of their co-op:
Students who have completed a 6 month co-op and the required courses can substitute the credit earned for a Manning School of Business elective. Credits earned in the courses before and after a 3 month co-op can substitute for a non-Manning School of Business elective.
Students are able to substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework before and after their co-op experience (Professional Development Seminar and Assessment) for a free elective.