College of Arts and Sciences sees rapid expansion in co-op programs

The co-op program at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Sciences is experiencing unprecedented growth, transforming how students gain real-world experience alongside their academic studies.

What began as a single co-op offering in 2015 through the Department of Communication has steadily evolved into a cornerstone of the college’s educational model. By 2021, the initiative had expanded to include seven programs across the college, signaling early momentum and strong student interest.

In the years since, that growth has accelerated dramatically. Today, co-op opportunities are available in 32 academic programs within the College of Arts and Sciences — a more than fourfold increase in just a few years. Administrators say the expansion reflects both rising demand from students and increasing support from faculty and industry partners.

The rapid rise of co-op programs in the college comes as UC marks a major milestone: the 120th anniversary of co-operative education. Since its founding in 1906, the model has grown from a local experiment into a nationally influential approach to higher education.

The nation's first co-op program was launched by Herman Schneider, then dean of UC’s College of Engineering, and began with just 27 students and 13 local companies. The concept — combining classroom learning with paid, professional work experience — quickly proved successful and became a model replicated by universities across the country. Today, it continues to connect companies with emerging talent while giving students meaningful, hands-on training.

The scale of the program’s impact remains significant. Just last year, more than 8,300 University of Cincinnati students participated in paid co-op placements with over 1,750 employers, earning a collective $94 million. These figures highlight both the strength of UC’s employer partnerships and the value of experiential learning for students preparing to enter the workforce.

While co-op programs have traditionally been associated with fields such as engineering, business and design, the College of Arts and Sciences has increasingly found innovative ways to integrate liberal arts education with career-focused opportunities. This shift reflects a broader recognition that students across disciplines benefit from applied, real-world experience.

Since its inception, the co-op program in A&S has expanded to include students in almost all disciplines, from geography to Asian studies to journalism, and its reach continues to grow.

For students, the impact of that expansion is already tangible. One Digital Media Collaborative major, Amelia Wells, began a co-op with KidFuture CPS in October 2025. Drawn to the role of storyteller and content creator, Wells said the position aligned closely with both career goals and personal values.

“It fit exactly what I was looking for: a creative position while also being able to make a difference in the community,” she said. “After reading what KidFuture CPS does, I knew this was for me.”

The nonprofit, formerly known as Activities Beyond the Classroom, supports more than 200 programs and activities each year, impacting thousands of Cincinnati Public Schools students and expanding access to extracurricular opportunities. The student noted a strong sense of purpose in contributing to that mission, as well as a positive workplace culture.

“Everybody is super amazing to work with and willing to help out each other whenever we need it. We always have each other’s backs,” the student said, adding that the organization’s largely women-led team creates “a space full of female empowerment and energy.”

The experience, they said, has made for an ideal first co-op.

College leaders note that the continued growth shows no signs of slowing. With additional programs in development, the co-op initiative is poised to become an even more integral part of the student experience, helping graduates enter the workforce with both academic knowledge and practical skills.

As the program continues to evolve, it underscores a broader trend in higher education: a growing emphasis on experiential learning and career readiness in an increasingly competitive job market.

Are you interested in bringing an A&S student on board for a co-op opportunity in your organization? Connect with us! Find out how co-op can be a benefit for your company and our students here.

Featured image at top: Co-op has become a cornerstone of UC's College of Arts and Sciences, offering students real-world experience as they pursue their degrees. Photo/Provided