Co-operative Education is a unique educational program in which students integrate classroom study with periods of paid, supervised work experience related to their academic major. At Florida Atlantic University, co-op is a structured experiental learning opportunity in which students apply concepts studied in the classroom to "real world" work situations. Co-op is offered on a semester basis, fall, spring, or summer (term C), full-time, or part-time. A co-op assignment can be multiple times with one employer or different employers.  See Co-op Education Partnership Model.

• To explore career interests and work environments
• To enhance classroom learning through practical experience
• To receive training and utilize technologies in the workplace
• To clarify career objectives and execute a realistic job search strategy
• To network and secure job opportunities upon graduation
• To gain marketable experience

Co-op at FAU is a voluntary program that requires the commitment of the student and employer. It is a partnership among the student, employer, and the co-op office. Students may opt to participate in the alternating or parallel programs.

• Full-time (Alternating Co-op) Students who alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time, paid co-op assignments. Students work full time for a semester and return to school the following semester to continue their course studies. Students may remain with the same employer during their next co-op or accept employment with a new company
• Part-time (Parallel Co-op) Students work on a part time basis while they are enrolled in full-time classes

• To learn more about the Co-op process, click on the PowerPoint presentation
• Attend Co-op Workshops
• Submit Co-op Application
• Upload your resume on-line through OWL CareerLink (formerly Interfase)
• Call the Career Development Center of your campus listed below with any questions

• Full-time FAU enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree
• Transfer students must completed one semester at FAU before applying
• FAU cumulative GPA of at least 2.30 undergraduate or 3.0 graduate
• International students (F1 status) must have been enrolled in an American University for at least twelve (12) months and completed one semester at FAU in current program
• International students must obtain from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) an I-20 and meet all USCIS and/or ISSS requirements
• Students must apply a semester prior to their participation (i.e. apply during the spring semester for a co-op in the summer)

After the co-op office has determined eligibility, students' upload their resumes into OWL CareerLink. Employers then contact students they are interested in to set up interviews. Students who accept co-op employment offers must complete the required enrollment in their departmental co-op course if they are international students or are seeking elective credit. In order to receive elective credit, the academic department must give written approval; otherwise, co-op credit is an additive credit. All I-20 forms must be updated prior to beginning a co-op assignment. Acceptance and placement into co-op is not guaranteed. A student can find their own co-op employer, but it must be approved by the Associate Director of the Career Development Center before accepting the offer.

Students are required to complete a mid-term progress report, a final evaluation and attend a debriefing session. The co-op assignment is recorded on your transcript and is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.