Engineering Professional Co-ops
“I learned that the key to becoming a better engineer is not limited to finishing assignments but demands an attitude of questioning, ‘Why is this task necessary and what can be done to improve it?’.”
-Yuki Saikachi, ’26
Product Environmental Compliance Engineer Co-op at MKS Inc.
The Professional Co-op Program offers undergraduate students in the Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell valuable opportunities to gain hands-on engineering experience through professional co-ops. Co-op experiences allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges while building professional skills and industry connections.
Engineering co-ops help students:
- Explore engineering careers and workplace environments
- Apply academic learning to real-world projects
- Develop professional and technical skills
- Build confidence and a professional engineering identity
- Expand their network of industry contacts
- Earn income while gaining experience
- Clarify academic, career and personal goals
Students may choose to complete either:
- One six-month co-op experience or
- Two summer co-op/intern experiences
Sample Engineering Co-op Employers
More than 600 employers have hired UMass Lowell engineering co-op students since 2010. Here are a few:
Co-op Cycles
Students in all undergraduate engineering 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-June
- July-December
- Summer-only
Getting Started
All undergraduate engineering students begin the co-op sequence with the required ENGN.2100: Professional Development Seminar (PDS), typically during their sophomore year after completing prerequisites.
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 if they choose to while enrolled in or after completing the seminar. A co-op is not required but highly encouraged.
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, especially when considering prerequisite and capstone courses.
Academic Credit
Undergraduate students have the opportunity to earn credit through the required co-op coursework. View the table below to see the co-op courses and their associated credits.
| Course | Plastics | All Other ENGN Disciplines |
|---|---|---|
| PDS | 1 credit | 1 credit |
| Co-op Experience | 0 credits | 0 credits |
| Assessment (after first 6-month co-op) | 2 credits | 3 credits |
| Assessment (after second 6-month co-op) | 2 credits | 3 credits |
| Assessment (after first 3-month co-op) | 1 credit | 1 credit |
| Assessment (after second 3-month co-op) | 2 credits | 2 credits |
Undergraduate students can substitute 3 credits earned through the required co-op coursework after their co-op experience (Co-op Assessment) for a technical or professional elective in their major if one is available. Students can substitute only one elective by using co-op program credits and should work closely with their academic or faculty advisor to plan their degree pathway. Plastics Engineering students must earn 3 credits through multiple co-op experiences and Assessment courses to substitute a technical elective. Click on your major or department below to see course substitution availability.
Technical Elective
General students: Technical Elective
Bioengineering and Advanced Materials students: Technical Elective (at the discretion of the department)
Nuclear students: No credit substitution available
Professional Elective
Electrical Engineering students: Technical Elective
Computer Engineering students: Technical Elective
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science students: No credit substitution available
Electrical Engineering and Physics students: No credit substitution available
Technical Elective
Technical Elective
Technical Elective (after two co-ops)
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.
Engineering Co-op Advisors
Tiffany Medeiros
Advises: Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Plastics
Amanda Teixeira
Advises: Biomedical
Kathy Vaillancourt
Advises: Civil, Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical
Graduate Master’s Co-op Option In Engineering
The Francis College of Engineering is revising a Graduate Master’s Co-op Option for some Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) programs. Please reach out to the Francis College of Engineering Dean’s Office for information.