CO-OP PROGRAM

Students who plan to enroll in the co-operative education programs should make this decision known to an advisor during their freshman year. It is necessary for such students to complete all yearlong academic subjects before the end of their sophomore year. During the last quarter of the sophomore year, a co-op student takes Professional Practice, a one-credit-hour course, which prepares the student for the co-op program. Because there are limits to the number of students who can take part in the co-op program, only those with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher by the end of the sophomore year are eligible.

This academic requirement puts co-op students in the challenging position of proving their worth academically to be eligible for the paid practical on-the-job training they receive. Thus, when they graduate, they have the best possible chance of being successful in their job search. However, it is necessary to attend school for five years in this program. Thus, a student who does not co-op and goes on to graduate school can wind up with a master's degree at the same time a co-op student graduates. 

The College of Arts and Sciences requirements are as follows:

1.  Communication students much have a GPA of 2.8 or higher.

2.  They must have at least one grade report from the College of Arts and Sciences (applicable for transfer students).

3.  They must be able to complete a minimum of 4 Co-Op quarters prior to graduation to be accepted into the program.

4.  They must take a one-credit hour course called Introduction to Co-Op wich they can register for through OneStop.  (It is listed under Division of Professional Practice.)  Students apply to the program during this course.  This course is specifically geared towards the Co-Op search therefore no other professional development course can substitute for this course.

5.  They must be a full-time, matriculated student.

It should be clear that the co-op program is not designed for all students, only for those who want a high-quality degree and are not in a hurry to obtain it. For additional information on the Co-op Program in Communication, contact Lisa Newman, 556-4458 and the Division of Professional Practice, Michele Clare, 556-5061, located on the 8th level of the Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center.