Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education is a structured educational program, which integrates classroom learning and practical hands-on experience in a field related to a student's academic or career goals. The fundamental purpose of Cooperative Education is for students to have an opportunity to learn under real-work conditions. Co-op is a partnership among students, educational institutions and employers, with specified responsibilities for each party.

Overview

Students in the program work full-time, the equivalent of 35+ hours/week. Students working in a co-op position pay a $45 registration fee and a predetermined infrastructure fee, which maintains their full-time student status at the University while they are working. No additional tuition fees are required.

Assignments are paid, career-related, and typically last for six-eight months, beginning in either January or June/July.

Eligibility

• Qualified students must have completed 24 credits.
• Qualified students will have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and be in good academic standing.
• Student must be a full-time matriculated undergraduate enrolled at UConn.

Note: Students not meeting these eligibility requirements will not be recognized as official UConn co-op students.

Work Cycle

The work cycle for Cooperative Education is six to eight months. The Fall cycle lasts from July 1 to December 31 and the Spring cycle runs from January 1 to June 30. Start and end dates are flexible; however, for the Fall cycle, students may begin anytime from May to the beginning of August. For the Spring cycle, students may begin anytime from December to the end of January.

Application Process

Application to co-op positions is made during the semester immediately preceding the work assignment. If you are planning to begin work in January, you will apply for co-op positions during the preceding fall semester. You can find positions by using Career Services’ online recruiting system HuskyCareerLink, networking with faculty, and doing research on individual companies.

Whether you are getting started or have found a position to apply for, a meeting with a member of the Career Services Counseling Staff is highly recommended as part of the application process. Although this meeting is not mandatory, it is in your best interest to meet with a consultant to discuss your options and the best way to develop and pursue them.

Registration

You must meet with the Internship Coordinator prior to starting your job. Paperwork will need to be completed and a $45 continuous registration and small infrastructure fee paid prior to beginning work. Students may call 860-486-3013 to schedule an appointment to review the paperwork requirements. At this appointment, you need to bring your offer letter, unofficial transcript, and current resume. The Internship Coordinator will explain the paperwork and review the rest of the process.

Suggestions for students who are seeking Co-op opportunities

To learn about how to find a Co-op and make the most out of your experience, click here for the table of contents to the Internship/Co-op Guidebook.