Cooperative Education

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Cooperative education is the cornerstone of Northeastern University’s experiential learning approach, in which on-campus study is enhanced by real-world experience through full-time opportunities at locations worldwide. Graduate students have the opportunity to alternate periods of academic courses with one period of work in a position directly related to their academic and career interests. This combination provides an integrated learning experience that enhances both in-class studies and career development.

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General Requirements

• Be a full-time student to participate in co-op.
• Completion of 16 semester hours.
• Complete all pre–co-op requirements as established by the university, including the co-op preparatory course.

• Make satisfactory progress toward degree completion, including grade-point average requirements as defined by the university.

• Have accurate information about the co-op position in the university's official co-op system of record, including specific start and end dates and meeting the minimum hour and day requirements.
• Have a minimum of one academic requirement or course remaining in degree program following completion of final co-op experience. For spring/summer co-ops that end in summer session A, the final requirement (s) may be completed in summer session B. International students must maintain on-ground presence for the entirety of their final term, including applicable EXED course enrollment if in a remote co-op and on-ground course registration. 
• Not participate in co-op in the term following a return from a leave of absence.
• Not participate in co-op during two consecutive required academic terms (fall and spring semesters).*   
• Resolve any previous academic probation issues, or have the cooperative education coordinator approve a plan to resolve these issues prior to applying for co-op jobs.
• Have any self-developed co-op approved by the cooperative education coordinator before accepting the position.
• Comply with any preemployment checks required by the employer such as drug testing, credit checks, physical examinations, security clearance, and criminal record checks.
• Participate in Title IX training, as required.
• Complete and comply with standards, procedures, and policies outlined in the Professional Standards Agreement. 

​Transfer Students

• Transfer students from other universities must have met the same requirements in their major’s co-op program as nontransfers and must have completed at least two semesters of classes before starting co-op.

Academic Requirements

1. Be full time while on co-op. Full-time status for co-op is defined as either:
   1. One full-time co-op job; 32–40 hours per week
   2. Two simultaneous half-time co-op jobs; 16–31.99 hours each
   3. One half-time co-op job; 16–31.99 hours with graduate students taking 4 or more academic credits
2. Meet the minimum length requirements for an academic term:
   1. Semester full-term: minimum of 55 workdays
   2. Summer session A or session B term: minimum of 25 workdays
3. Receive a grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for the co-op experience.
4. Have a cumulative 3.000 GPA to be eligible to search for a co-op position.

Co-op Duration

• Students have the opportunity to complete one co-op for a period of four to eight months in one of the following patterns:

• Four months (spring, fall, or summer full terms)
• Six months (spring term plus summer session A term, or summer session B term plus fall term)
• Eight months (spring term plus summer full term, or summer full term plus fall term)

• Standard co-op experiences are continuous four- or six-month opportunities with one employer. Extensions to an eight-month experience are permitted as long as students comply with term dates, academic program and registrar requirements, and receive co-op coordinator/advisor approval.
  • F-1 and J-1 international students extending their co-op must continue to meet all eligibility requirements and obtain proper authorization from the OGS before extending their co-op employment.
• *In addition, students enrolled at a Canadian campus may be hired into a co-op position for periods of four to eight months, including continuous periods spanning the fall and spring semesters. In the case of such eight-month fall/spring term co-op assignments, students  must return to classes in the summer or their next required academic term. In some programs, Canadian students may be eligible for a 12-month co-op position. Please contact your co-op advisor to learn more. 

Co-op Financial Planning

• No tuition is charged while a student is on co-op only (students will pay room and board if they stay in university housing).
• If a student takes a credit-bearing class while on co-op, tuition will be charged (contact Student Financial Services for more information). 
• Financial aid will be distributed to match the student’s tuition bill and other allowable expenses.
• Students on co-op are required to maintain the same health insurance coverage (either through a private provider or through the university program) as they would while attending classes.

Further Information

For more detailed information about co-op policies and procedures, see the Cooperative Education Student Handbook on the Cooperative Education website.