Cooperative Education
Wilmington University's Cooperative Education (Co-op) program represents an invaluable academic initiative, fostering the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experience in the realm of business and the professional world. This program serves as a catalyst for expanding students' educational horizons by providing them with relevant employment opportunities within a supervised, educational work environment tailored to their chosen major or career focus.
A Co-op program experience is an immersive, multi-semester endeavor, requiring a minimum commitment of two semesters, with the option to extend up to four semesters, ideally consecutively. Each Co-op experience is thoughtfully designed to align with the individual student's academic path, typically spanning at least two semesters (although exceptions exist depending on the degree program), and strives to maintain continuity with the same employer. This approach maximizes the opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-world scenarios effectively.
Co-op experiences are flexible in terms of scheduling, catering to both part-time and full-time commitments. Students can engage in 10-15 hours of work experience per week, or for those seeking a deeper immersion, full-time Co-op positions are also available.
The development of Co-op experiences is a collaborative effort between Wilmington University's Office of Work-Integrated Learning and its students. Students interested in creating their own Co-op opportunities must secure approval from the Office of Work-Integrated Learning before credit can be conferred. It's worth noting that an approved Co-op experience may serve as a substitute for a required internship within a student's major.
To qualify for participation in the Co-op program, students must meet specific criteria, including having a declared major and actively pursuing a degree, having completed a minimum of 60 credits applicable to their degree program, and maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Additionally, students must notify the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and their Program Chair one semester in advance of their intended Co-op assignment commencement. Enrolling in the Co-op course is mandatory for credit recognition, and tuition and fees align with the standard course tuition structure.
Students eager to gain real-world experience through Co-op participation are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Work-Integrated Learning to explore this transformative educational opportunity.