Cooperative Engineering Program (Co-op)

Since co-op is mandatory for all engineering students, most graduates of the College of Engineering will have satisfactorily completed six co-op quarters. Transfer students must complete a minimum of four co-op quarters.

All freshmen participate in full-time study throughout the first year. Students with satisfactory scholastic records being the co-op phase of their studies during the Autumn or Winter Quarter of the sophomore year, and continue on an alternating basis until they have completed the last practice quarter scheduled prior to the senior year.

To qualify for admission to the program, a student must be in good academic standing, have an acceptable cumulative grade point average, and be free from any restrictions that prevent a co-op assignment. All freshmen students must complete an introductory course, Professional Development I, as a prerequisite to participation in the co-op program. Transfer students must take the course in the earliest possible quarter that it is offered.

Once co-op students are assigned, employers evaluate each student through regular performance reports. These evaluation are used as a basis for counseling and advising the students in their professional development.

An Achievement Certificate for Excellence of Performance on Professional Practice assignments is awarded to those students who have satisfactorily completed a minimum of six Professional Practice quarters. A Certificate of Performance on Professional Practice assignments is awarded to those students who have satisfactorily completed less than six but a least four practice assignments including all remaining practice quarters at the time of their entrance into the program. At the end of the senior year, one student from each department is nominated for the coveted Herman Schneider medal which honors the most outstanding co-op student in Engineering.