Student Eligibility Requirements

Students in good academic standing are eligible to apply for admission to the program following their first year. Non-matriculated, part-time, readmitted, and transfer students who are in good academic standing after completing at least 24 credits, 12 of which must be taken at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, are also eligible. Transfers from within the university are eligible immediately if they have completed their first year of college and are in good academic standing. All other transfer students must successfully complete one semester at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences prior to their first semester of co-op employment. Students who fail to maintain good academic standing will be declared ineligible for the program.

Students seeking their first semester of co-op employment after the summer of their junior year must secure curricular approval or, in some cases, approval of the Scholastic Standing Committee. If a student does co-op work for the first time in the second semester of his/her senior year, the student must commit to continuing for a second co-op semester, thereby delaying graduation. In addition, students must be registered for at least 6 credits during the semester prior to participating in co-op employment.

Faculty advice and approval of the student's proposed employment is required. A memorandum of understanding between the student, faculty sponsor, and employer outlines the educational objectives for the work experience. Students receive pre-employment counseling and assistance in the development of resumes and interview skills. Upon acceptance for employment, students develop Learning Contracts which include job descriptions, objectives to be achieved while participating, and responsibilities related to the credits to be earned. Students may earn 3 to 6 credits per term with a maximum of 15 counting towards a degree.

Student employees maintain the same hours as regular employees working either part-time (16 hours a week or more) or full-time (32 hours a week or more), earning the going rate for the positions they hold, and are expected to work the full term agreed upon (at least 10 weeks).

Due in part to their academic responsibilities, students participating in the Cooperative Education Program prove to be motivated, energetic, dependable and professional.

"Co-op education is the best way to gain valuable experience! My Co-op position editing watershed polygons for the Freehold Soil Conservation District has taught me that there is a need for graduates with my major and background, and it that it can be interesting to work in this field."

- Jeremy Arnold
Co-op Student