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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 $22 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

“Co-op is truly one of the greatest programs at NC State because it helps provide stability, job security, growth, and development both professionally and personally in an extremely unique way.”

Terence Chandler, Computer and Electrical Engineer, GE Co-op

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.

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.