Cooperative Education (Co-op)

• What Is Cooperative Education (Co-op)?
• WHO BENEFITS?
  • The University
  • Your Peers
  • Parents
  • Employers
• WHO QUALIFIES?
• SALARY
• HOW DOES CO-OP WORKS?
• Co-op Work Schedule

What Is Cooperative Education (Co-op)?

According to the National Commission for Cooperative Education, Co-op is an academic strategy that integrates classroom studies with a series of paid, productive work experiences in a field related to a student’s career or education goals. 

The idea underlying “co-op” is that the student is exposed to both campus studies and the world of real affairs during the years of formal education.  The student will emerge a better educated individual with a better theory and work application.

Co-op at Prairie View A&M University is a voluntary program which consists of alternating periods of study and work which is based on the university’s calendar of Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

WHO BENEFITS?

The Student

• Broaden your career horizons
  
• Work for fortune 500 companies
  
• Competitive salary, paid vacation, paid travel costs to and from college.
  
• Get first hand knowledge of what is expected in the business environment, easing the transition from college to work.
  
• Get academic credit.
  
• Strengthen your resume.
  
• Network with other students, managers and Vice Presidents
  
• Travel to places and explore the world.

The University

• Gain hands-on experience or practical training that can be brought back to the classroom.
  
• Share with instructors new technology that may not be seen in the classroom for years to come.

Your Peers

• Share with peers and classmates all the challenging experience gained, travel and networking possibilities.

Parents

• Earning while learning helps reduce the financial burden imposed upon the family.

Benefits to Employers

• Get trained and experienced students for full-time employment
  
• Observe a student’s performance before making long range commitments
  
• Eliminate cost and time for training
  
• Get involved in academic programs of future employees
  
• Better relationship with Prairie View A&M University

WHO QUALIFIES?

• Any student enrolled at Prairie View A&M University, registered with the Co-op & Intern Office, completes a semester, and earn a 2.5 grade point average may apply for co-op and intern. 
  
• After completion of 30 semester credit hours, a student may qualify and possibly be placed on a co-op or intern assignment.
  
• Student must be willing to complete a minimum of two or three work terms.

SALARY

Co-op and Intern students may earn salaried amounts based on their classification and experiences.

HOW DOES CO-OP WORKS?

A typical Co-op student will have the following options.  If a student is a sophomore that student may start the Co-op process following the options listed below.   The minimum required assignments for a co-op student is three.  Some students take advantage of applying for classes at a local university.

Co-op Work Schedule