Cooperative Education Program

Cooperative education (co-op) is a structured educational strategy integrating classroom studies with learning through productive paid work experiences in a field related to the student’s academic or career goals. It provides progressive experiences in integrating theory and practice. Co-op brings together the university, the business and professional community, and students in a collaborative effort with specified responsibilities for each party. Academic credit is not awarded for participation in the cooperative education program, unless coordinated and approved by the academic department. A pass/fail notation is entered on the transcript upon completion of the semester’s work experience. 

To qualify for cooperative education, a student must meet the following qualifications1:

  1. The student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 semester hours prior to entering the program. Employers may suggest a lower minimum hour requirement.
  2. The student must meet and maintain a 2.50 (4.00 scale) grade point average. Employers may establish higher GPA requirements.
  3. The student must have the recommendation of 2 JSU professors.
  4. The student must have approval from the department head of their major.

To be considered for a co-op position, a student must apply for the position and follow through on the required selection process, typically to include an interview. Upon approval of the career development coordinator and the employer, the student will register for the following alternating or parallel cooperative education courses. All co-op positions may be found online: JLink

To learn more about the Cooperative Education Program, a student should contact the dean’s office of the student’s major to be directed to the career advisor:  Arts, Humanities, and Sciences (256) 782-5485, Business and Industry (256) 782-5382, Education and Professional Studies (256) 782-5485; Health Professions and Wellness (256) 782-8465, and Social and Behavioral Sciences (256) 782-8465.

1

Some programs/majors may have more stringent requirements than university policy.

Alternating Co-op Education Program

CEA 001  Alternating Co Op Education  (0)  
Cooperative education experience consisting of educational/experiential training (approximately 40 hrs/week). Students alternate semester of full-time classes with semesters of full-time training. The semester of full-time work (approximately 40 hr./week) is equivalent to full-time student status, with the exception of financial aid. (Contact Financial Aid for additional information.)
CEA 002  Alternating Co Op Education  (0)  
Cooperative education experience consisting of educational/experiential training (approximately 40 hrs/week). Students alternate semester of full-time classes with semesters of full-time training. The semester of full-time work (approximately 40 hrs./week) is equivalent to full-time student status, with the exception of financial aid. (Contact Financial Aid for additional information.)

Parallel Co-op Education Program

CEP 001  Parallel Co Op Education  (0)  
Cooperative Education experience consisting of educational/experiential training while attending classes simultaneously. Students must take a minimum of six semester hours each semester. Students usually perform 15 to 25 hours per week of on-site training.
CEP 002  Parallel Co Op Education  (0)  
Cooperative Education experience consisting of educational/experiential training while attending classes simultaneously. Students must take a minimum of six semester hours each semester. Students usually perform 15 to 25 hours per week of on-site training.