Co-Op 2.0

At the University of Cincinnati, cooperative education isn’t just a program—it’s a legacy. Since inventing co-op in 1906, UC has led the way in blending academic learning with real-world experience. Now, we’re expanding that legacy to empower every student with career-launching opportunities. Ranked Top 5 in the nation for co-ops and internships by U.S. News & World Report (Best Colleges 2025), UC is redefining what it means to learn and work.

UC is committed to ensuring every baccalaureate student has access to compensated, major-related work experiences. In the 2024–25 academic year alone, 8,395 students completed co-ops, working with over 1,750 employers and earning a collective $94 million. That’s an impressive $11,220 per student, per semester on average.

Building on our historic co-op programs in Business, DAAP, Engineering, and IT, we’re broadening access across all disciplines. Whether you’re balancing part-time jobs, taking courses while working, or entering with little prior professional experience, UC’s co-op program meets you where you are. Our flexible options include:

• Full-time placements* for immersive career experiences.
• Part-time roles to accommodate academic and personal commitments.
• Project-based opportunities for targeted skill-building.

Through partnerships with university, industry, government, and community organizations, UC co-op students connect with top employers and build professional networks that last a lifetime.

*Required for students in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP); College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), and the School of Information Technology.

• Career-Ready Skills: Gain hands-on experience in your field under expert supervision.
• Compensation: Earn while you learn, with opportunities tailored to your major.
• Global Reach: Work with leading organizations across the U.S. and beyond.
• Flexibility: Access experiential career learning no matter what your major, experience level, or schedule.

UC’s co-op program is more than an evolution—it’s a new paradigm for learning and working. Discover how you can gain real-world experience, build your resume, and shape your future before graduation.