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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Career Development Center

Co-op Overview

The Cooperative Education Program is your opportunity to gain hands-on job experience while pursuing a degree. Through alternating semesters of full-time study and full-time work experience, you can:

  • Be well-paid for your hard work — program participants average more than $23 per hour
  • Strengthen your job prospects after graduation — companies usually prefer hiring students who have related work experience, especially within their organization
  • Explore career fields and confirm whether your choice of major is the right one
  • Work with state-of-the-art equipment in the industry
  • Experience “corporate culture” by working with professionals and observing how they handle job situations in your field

What Students Say

Current Co-op Job Opportunities

Check out the most current Co-op Job Opportunities

FAQ

To be eligible for a co-op, you must be a full-time student who has:

  • Completed a minimum of 30 credit hours (or one semester for transfer students)
  • Been admitted into a degree program prior to reporting to a co-op job
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduates, 3.0 for graduate students.

Students: The first step to joining the Co-op Program is to attend a Co-op Information Session.

International students on F1 Visas must review information regarding Curricular Practical Training first.

Find qualified, motivated students who are eager to build experience at a company like yours – and reduce recruitment and training costs in the process. Learn more about the benefits of being a co-op employer.

No, undergraduate co-op students work multiple terms, a minimum of 1 semester and 1 summer for the co-op program requirement. Although, it is preferred to do 3 alternating semesters of work.

Students who prefer to work summers only should explore internships

No, undergraduate co-op students work multiple terms, a minimum of 1 semester and 1 summer for the co-op program requirement. Although, it is preferred to do 3 alternating semesters of work.

Yes. Students are responsible for paying for the co-op course fee and the required payments for university housing that semester. Please discuss this with your Co-op Coordinator.

For additional information please visit our full FAQ page.

Contact Us

Students who have questions about the co-op program, please contact the Co-op Program or email us at career-development@ncsu.edu