Mission and Vision, University of Cincinnati

Co-op

Mission and Vision

It all started at the University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is the global founder of Cooperative Education. More than 100 years ago the University of Cincinnati Dean, Herman Schneider, chartered an uncertain experiment. He arranged for engineering students to alternate periods of study with periods of paid work in their field. A century later the Cooperative Education Program at the University of Cincinnati, his legacy, has grown into one of the largest and most well respected programs in the country.

Mission

The mission of the Division of Professional Practice is to provide a premier global academic program of cooperative education. This pedagogic innovation had its founding at the University of Cincinnati in 1906. Through cooperative education the professional world partners with the university to integrate theory and practice. Supporting the university’s mission, cooperative education extends student learning beyond the classroom providing an enhanced educational experience which includes paid, discipline-related work experience to further students’ career preparation. While students are gaining practical experience in their chosen field, they acquire an understanding of the world of work, integrate theory and practice, and have the opportunity to further develop professional and interpersonal skills.

Vision

The Division of Professional Practice is comprised of a dedicated group of individuals, including a multidisciplinary faculty, staff and administrators who are committed to:

Leading and innovating in the discipline of cooperative education.
Developing the curriculum and teaching methodologies to enhance the integration of classroom learning with practical work-related experiences.
Creating mutually beneficial partnerships with employers, the community, alumni, academic departments, other universities and professional organizations.

Cooperative Education's founding father