Defining Intern/Co-op students at CBA

Defining Intern/Co-op students at CBA

Both an internship and co-op are planned, out-of-classroom work experiences that enable students to bring classroom learning to the work environment. The CBA works with student to determine which course is most beneficial.

Below are essential components that employing companies need to know about internship/co-op experiences:

Internships

• The internship is a collaborative opportunity for students to work with an employer as well as a faculty supervisor.
• The internship work experience needs to be specific to the student's major.
• Students who meet certain academic criteria can participate in the internship course. Enrollment is processed after the employer extends a formal offer. Our accounting program requires students to work full-time (40 hours a week) during the internship semester in order for the student to receive internship credit.
• The internship course will count in the student's major as an elective. All majors in the CBA require electives as part of the degree.
• Internships will last for an entire semester (max 15 weeks – min 10 weeks). Credits can only be earned during the semester the student is working.
• Credit is awarded by faculty based on satisfactory completion of the academic requirements outlined in the course syllabus.

Cooperative Education (Co-op):

• Co-op is a formal course that students enroll in once they have received an offer from an employer.
• Completion of the co-op is awarded based on satisfactory completion of the academic requirements outlined in the course syllabus.
• Students, who are registered for the co-op course, are considered full-time students at the University for the purposes of financial aid, student status and other campus benefits.
• Students can work for employers during multiple semesters, thus enrolling in co-op multiple times.
• Co-op work experiences can be full-time or part-time depending on the needs of the employer.