COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OP) is a planned and supervised program that alternates semesters of full-time college classroom instruction with 3 semesters of full-time paid employment. The work assignments are closely related to your academic program and are designed to prepare you for your professional career by combining your academic training with practical work experience.
Current Co-op Student Information
Quick Facts
- All co-op positions are paid! The average co-op salary is $19.83/hour
- You can gain up to 1 year of experience before graduating
- Over 380 students are currently active in the program
- Over 100 companies recruit co-op students each Fall and Spring semester
- The AU Co-op Program was established in 1937
Here are reasons why you should be considering the co-op program:
Experience
Co-op students gain up to 1 year of experience before graduation, giving them a competitive edge when seeking full-time employment after graduation. Co-op is also built into your academic career path, so you continue your school enrollment during work terms. Co-op students do not pay tuition during work terms but are charged a small co-op course fee.
Career Choice
Students who participate in the co-op program have the opportunity to test their choice of major and experience the career paths within that major.
Compensation
All co-op positions must be paid, and co-op students must be employed full-time during work semesters.
Average salary: $19.83
1st term: $19.13
2nd term: $19.93
3rd+ term: $20.83
- Three-semester commitment with the same company.
- Co-op takes place year-round and students gain up to 1 year of experience.
- Co-op is a full-time work experience.
- Co-op students have the opportunity to develop an in-depth skillset and manage their own projects during their work terms.
- Companies give more responsibility to co-op students due to the longer period of time spent at the company.
- Engineering students are ready to apply for co-op positions during their sophomore year.
- Co-op allows students to be work-ready at graduation and equip students with relevant job skills, knowledge, and abilities.
- Co-op students receive priority registration status and are able to register each semester during the early registration period for priority students.
- Students do not pay tuition during co-op work semesters and are enrolled in a zero credit hour course to maintain student status.
- One semester commitment.
- Internships typically take place only during the summer semester or 10-12 weeks but can happen during fall and spring semesters as well.
- Internships may be part-time or full-time.
- Internships provide a broader overview of work life.
- Internships allow students to spend time at different companies.
- Students can intern as early as the summer after their Freshman year
- Students do not pay tuition during internships and are enrolled in a zero credit hour course to maintain student status.
