What is Co-op?

A Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program is a professional development program which allows undergraduates to have a year-round schedule that alternates professional work experiences with classroom coursework. The Co-op Program can provide as much as two years of direct professional development within a five-year bachelor's degree program.

Students who participate in co-ops are better prepared to enter the work force and often continue their employment with their co-op employer after graduation. 

Co-op experiences are paid and can result in academic credit. A maximum of 3 credits from a registered co-op experience can be applied to the degree as free elective credit. Co-op students receive an official entry on their transcript for each registered co-op experience. 

 

Why Co-op Could Be for You?

  • Make money
  • Gain real-world experience
  • Apply what you learn
  • ​Work on compelling projects
  • Build skills over time
  • Establish a professional network
  • ​Explore career options
  • Earn course credit/notation on your transcript

Am I Eligible for Co-op?

  • Must be in good academic standing (minimum 2.00 GPA)
  • Second-semester sophomore or above

Where Can I Do My Co-op?

  • Choose from top companies in Colorado or other major U.S. cities
  • International co-ops are also an option
  • Opportunities range from Fortune 500 to startup companies

How Do I Get Involved in Co-op?

  • Create a resume to be submitted to potential employers
  • It is up to the student to find a co-op position and apply for the position. 
  • Interview with potential employers
  • Notify academic advisor when you accept a job offer and submit your Co-op for credit application (if credit is required to participate in the program and/or if you need 3 credits of free elective)

The Cooperative Education Program is a professional development education program that allows students to participate in a year-round schedule that alternates professionally related work experiences with classroom coursework. Co-ops are made possible by industry partners willing to host co-op students for this valuable experience.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science offers an excellent curriculum with hands-on, service, and discovery learning opportunities. CU students have strong engineering and team skills combined with a strong work ethic. Students who participate in co-ops frequently choose to continue their employment with their co-op employer after graduating.

Co-op experiences are paid by the employer and result in academic credit (if registered for the co-op for credit program, note only 3 credits of free elective may be applied to the degree).

How Does Co-op Benefit Employers?

  • Access to and retention of top talent
  • Opportunity to develop new positions
  • Opportunity to develop leaders from within
  • Low-risk opportunity to try out new employees
  • Pipeline for developing a diverse workforce

Employer Responsibilities

  • Provide a paid, professional work experience that allows the student to be a team member
  • Arrange challenging work for the student
  • Assign work of real importance, not "make-work"
  • Incorporate a large spectrum of the company's activities
  • Ensure that assigned work is major-related
  • Commit to providing single and/or multiple work terms for the student
  • Increase technical involvement and level of responsibility as the student progresses
  • Evaluate student performance and provide feedback to the college

 

Co-op Key Contacts


Applied Math

Anne Dougherty   303-492-4011

Aerospace Engineering

Erik.Knudsen  303-492-5071

Biomedical Engineering

Robert Davis   303-492-7314

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Wendy Young   303-492-8721

Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering

​  Matt Morris  303-492-0468

Computer Science

​  Maciej Zagrodzki   303-735-7992

Creative Technology & Design (CTD, formerly TAM)

​  Sheiva Rezvani  303-735-4577

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

​  Arielle Blum Office Location: ECOT 242

Engineering Physics 

​  Kirsten Apodaca  303-492-6953

Engineering Plus

​  Angela Bielefeldt  303-492-8433

Environmental Engineering

Michael Hannigan  303-492-6382

Mechanical Engineering

​  Kat McConnell    303-492-8483

​  Jeffrey Knutsen    303-492-8322

All Other Majors and Co-op Program Oversight

​  Sharon Anderson    303-492-4404