Co-op Subplans

Engaging in meaningful, career-related experiences prior to graduation gives you an opportunity to develop transferable skills and a competitive edge as you enter the workforce. It also allows you to learn about professional pathways, grow your professional network and earn money while you are still a student.

To declare a subplan means to formally add it to your academic record and degree plan. Declare a co-op subplan by completing an online form.

College of Arts and Sciences students who are pursuing a co-op subplan will typically enroll in the PD2170 or PD2070 course during their second academic year. The course will help you prepare a professional resume and profile and develop skills you’ll need to search for and obtain your first co-op position.

You may co-op during any semester: fall, spring or summer. You should discuss your plans with your academic advisor to ensure you complete the co-op requirements and make adequate progress toward your undergraduate degree.

In most cases, no. You should work with your academic advisor to make progress toward your undergraduate degree alongside the co-op requirements. You may need to complete a co-op or take classes over a summer in order to graduate on time. You can also make intentional choices between full- and part-time co-op experiences.

Students who register for a full-time co-op will pay a fee in lieu of a semester of tuition. Students who register for part-time co-op will be encouraged to register for the number of credit hours that will keep them between 12 and 18 credit hours for the semester and avoid paying for additional credit hours. If a student enrolls in more than 18 credit hours, they will pay the standard tuition fee per credit hour over 18.

During the PD2070 or PD2170 course, you will develop resources (resume, cover letter, online profile) and skills (interviewing, networking, job searching) to launch a job search. You’ll use Handshake and your own networks to search for opportunities. You are also encouraged to attend university-sponsored career fairs and networking events. It is your responsibility to lead and engage in a robust job search to secure a co-op position.

To ensure that a co-op or internship experience is educational, according to standards set by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), all the following criteria must be met:

1. The experience must be an extension of the classroom and career-oriented: a learning experience that provides for applying knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
2. The experience must be compensated. (Note: Students may earn internship credit for experiences that are not compensated; in unique circumstances, students may qualify for an experiential exploration credit without compensation.)
3. The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
4. The experience has a defined beginning date, end date, and a job description with desired qualifications.
5. There are clearly defined learning objectives or goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
6. There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
7. There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
8. There are resources, equipment and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives or goals.

Apply for an on-campus co-op or service-learning co-op. These opportunities are generally open to all majors and require little to no prior experience. They satisfy a co-op requirement and help you develop skills that can be leveraged in pursuit of another co-op.

Visit the Bearcat Career Guide for more information on course registration (UC login required to access the Guide).

You may request to engage in digital upskilling or shadowing to satisfy the co-op requirement. To learn more, email Erin Alanson.

When you secure a co-op, report it in Handshake as an “ELCE Internship/Co-op Experience – Full-time OR Part-time” and register for co-op credit during the semester you will complete the work experience. You should register for the credit by the term census date (typically two weeks into the semester but up to week eight).