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. Through co-op, students alternate periods of academic courses with periods of work in positions related to their academic or 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.
• Complete three full-time fall/spring semesters as a matriculated student, or successfully complete the Global Scholars or London Scholars program, and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program according to the student's assigned pattern of attendance. Some programs may require completion of additional semesters to be eligible for co-op. 
• 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. Undergraduate students who have 12 or more remaining credits after the conclusion of a spring/summer co-op must complete their final full-time requirements in the fall term to graduate in December. 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.
• Work with the cooperative education coordinator if an Unsatisfactory (U) grade has been received for a past co-op to reestablish eligibility in accordance with the university's policies and requirements.
• 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.

International Students

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 undergraduate students taking 6 or more academic credits
      1. Undergraduate students on co-op in a summer session A or summer session B term may be registered for one half-time co-op without acquiring a second job or taking an accompanying class.
2. Meet the minimum length requirements for an academic term:
   1. Semester full-term: minimum of 55 workdays
   2. Summer session A or summer session B term: minimum of 25 workdays
3. Receive a grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for the co-op experience.
4. Have a cumulative 2.000 GPA or higher to be eligible to search for a co-op position.

Co-op Duration

Registration for Co-op

Students are registered for co-op based on a completed co-op record that meets the minimum hour and day requirements with accurate start and end dates in the university's official co-op database system. Students must be registered for the co-op work experience course by the end of the add period or alternately registered for classes if still searching for a job by this deadline. All co-op positions need to be approved by the university and entered as completed records in the official co-op database system by the last day of the class registration add period for the respective semester. See the Academic Calendar page on the university website for registration dates.

• No tuition is charged while a student is on co-op only (students will pay room and board if they stay in university housing).
• Students are generally not advised to enroll in academic courses while participating in a full-time co-op (32+ hours per week). If a student is enrolled in a class that earns credit while on co-op, that class will be charged per credit. Students that take more than 12 credits over the summer will be charged at the full tuition rate. 
• Students who wish to register for more than 4 credits while on full-time co-op must complete the Petition Registration form.
• 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.