Cooperative Education/Internship Program

Guidelines for Students

1.What is the Cooperative Education/Internship Program?

Cooperative 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/Internship is a structured experiential learning opportunity in which students apply concepts studied in the classroom to "real world" work situations.

Co-op/Internship is offered on a semester basis, fall, spring, or summer (Term I), full-time, or part-time. A co-op assignment can be multiple times with one employer or different employers.  See Co-op/Internship Program Education Partnership Model.

2. Why should you participate in the Cooperative Education/Internship Program?

• 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

• Full-time (Alternating Co-op/Internship): Students alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time, paid Co-op/Internship 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/Internship or accept employment with a new company. Full-time is defined as a minimum of 35 hours per week for 13 consecutive weeks.
• Part-time (Parallel Co-op/Internship): Students work on a part-time basis while they are enrolled in full-time classes. Part-time is defined as at least 15 hours per week for 13 consecutive weeks.

• Please see Co-op Application Check-List
• To learn more about the Co-op/Internship process, click on the PowerPoint presentation (being updated)
• Attend Co-op/Internship Workshops
• Submit Co-op/Internship Application
• Upload your resume on-line through OWL CareerLink
• Call the Career Development Center of your campus, listed below, with any questions.

• Completed 30 credits of undergraduate coursework or 9 credits of graduate coursework.
• Full-time FAU enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree seeking program.
• Transfer students must complete one semester at FAU before applying.
• FAU cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 undergraduate or 3.0 graduate.
• International students (F-1 status) must have maintained valid F-1 status and full-time enrollment for at least two consecutive semesters prior to the Co-op/Internship start date.
• 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).

6. How are students selected?

After the Co-op/Internship 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/Internship employment offers must complete the required enrollment in their departmental Co-op/Internship 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/Internship credit is an additive credit. All I-20 forms must be updated prior to beginning a Co-op/Internship assignment. Acceptance and placement into Co-op/Internship is not guaranteed.

A student can find his/her own Co-op/Internship employer, but it must be approved by the Career Development Center before being accepted. Please note, positions that are full-time with benefits are not eligible for the Co-op program.

7. How are students graded?

Students are asked to evaluate their work experience and review their learning objectives. The Co-op/Internship assignment is recorded on the student's transcript and is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.