# Cooperative Education

**Source**: https://catalog.northeastern.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies-procedures/cooperative-education/
**Parent**: https://catalog.northeastern.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies-procedures/

[Website](https://www.northeastern.edu/experiential-learning/co-op/)

Cooperative education is the cornerstone of Northeastern University’s experiential learning approach, in which on-campus study is enhanced by real-world experience through full-time opportunities at locations worldwide. Through co-op, students alternate periods of academic courses with periods of work in positions related to their academic or career interests. This combination provides an integrated learning experience that enhances both in-class studies and career development.

- [General Requirements](#text)
  - [Transfer and International Students](#text)- [Academic Requirements](#text)
  - [Registration for Co-op](#text)
  - [Co-op Financial Planning](#text)
  - [Further Information](#text)

## General Requirements

- Be a full-time student to participate in co-op.
- Complete three full-time fall/spring semesters as a matriculated student, or successfully complete the Global Scholars or London Scholars program, and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program according to the student's assigned pattern of attendance. Some programs may require completion of additional semesters to be eligible for co-op.
- Complete all pre–co-op requirements as established by the university, including the co-op preparatory course.

- Make satisfactory progress toward degree completion, including grade-point average requirements, as defined by the university.

- Have accurate information about the co-op position in the university's official co-op system of record, including specific start and end dates and meeting the minimum hour and day requirements.
- Not participate in co-op in the final term unless it is specified in the curriculum requirements of the program.
- Not participate in co-op in the term following a return from a leave of absence.
- Resolve any previous academic probation issues or have the cooperative education coordinator approve a plan to resolve these issues prior to applying for co-op jobs.
- Have any self-developed co-op approved by the cooperative education coordinator before accepting the position.
- Comply with any preemployment checks required by the employer such as drug testing, credit checks, physical examinations, security clearance, and criminal record checks.
- Participate in Title IX training, as required.
- Work with the cooperative education coordinator if an Unsatisfactory (U) grade has been received for a past co-op to reestablish eligibility in accordance with the university's policies and requirements.

### Transfer and International Students

- Transfer students from other universities must have met the same requirements in their major’s co-op program as nontransfers and must have completed at least one semester of classes before starting co-op.
- International students must comply with the employment timeline expectations of their nonimmigrant status. F-1 students must complete at least two consecutive required terms of study as a matriculated student, or its equivalent, and obtain proper authorization from the [Office of Global Services](https://international.northeastern.edu/ogs/) before engaging in co-op.

## Academic Requirements

1. **Be full time while on co-op. Full-time status for co-op is defined as either:**
   1. One full-time co-op job, 32–40 hours per week
   2. Two simultaneous half-time co-op jobs, 16–31.99 hours each
   3. One half-time co-op job; 16–31.99 hours with undergraduate students taking 6 or more academic credits
      1. Undergraduate students on co-op in a summer first-half or summer second-half term may be registered for one half-time co-op without acquiring a second job or taking an accompanying class.
2. **Meet the minimum length requirements for an academic term:**
   1. Semester full-term: minimum of 11 weeks or 55 workdays
   2. Quarter full-term: minimum of nine weeks or 45 workdays
   3. Summer first-half or summer second-half term: minimum of five weeks or 25 workdays
3. **Receive a grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for the co-op experience.**
4. **Have a cumulative 2.000 GPA or higher to be eligible to search for a co-op position.**

## Registration for Co-op

Students are registered for co-op based on a completed co-op record that meets the minimum hour and day requirements with accurate start and end dates in the university's official co-op database system. Students must be registered for the co-op work experience course by the end of the add period or alternately registered for classes if still searching for a job by this deadline. All co-op positions need to be approved by the university and entered as completed records in the official co-op database system by the last day to drop without a W for the respective semester.

## Co-op Financial Planning

- No tuition is charged while a student is on co-op only (students will pay room and board if they stay in university housing).
- If a student takes a credit-bearing class while on co-op, tuition will be charged at the per-credit rate.
- Students who wish to register for more than 4 credits while on full-time co-op must complete the [Petition Registration form](https://service.northeastern.edu/registrar?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB000020003).
- Financial aid will be distributed to match the student’s tuition bill and other allowable expenses.
- Students on co-op are required to maintain the same health insurance coverage (either through a private provider or through the university program) as they would while attending classes.

## Further Information

For more detailed information about co-op policies and procedures, see the *Cooperative Education Student Handbook* on the [Cooperative Education website](https://www.northeastern.edu/experiential-learning/co-op/).