Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education Program at DePaul University invites you to hire some of its best and brightest students - one to three years before they graduate. Cooperative education students work approximately 20 hours/week when school is in session, and up to full-time over school breaks, in jobs directly related to their majors for a minimum of one year. Co-op students can make significant contributions to your organization.

Co-ops are different from internships in that they:

• Are of longer duration (1 to 3 years with the same employer)
• Are directly related to the student's major and approved by a faculty member
• Involve progressively more challenging projects/assignments
• Are always paid work experiences
• Are indicated on students' transcript

Employer Responsibilities

• Provide training related to the job and the Co-op's career goals.
• Pay the Co-op a reasonable wage commensurate with the Co-op's ability, experience, and job responsibilities
• Provide diversified work assignments of increasing difficulty, responsibility, and variety as the Co-op's abilities progress.
• Place the Co-op under the supervision of a qualified supervisor who can provide the Co-op with effective guidance and who will complete an evaluation form of the Co-op's work performance.
• Enter into the program with a long-term commitment. Assuming that the work performance is satisfactory, provide the opportunity for Co-ops to complete at least a year with your organization.
• Inform the Co-op Program if you experience any difficulties regarding program logistics or a Co-op's performance.

Work Placement

Students work year round (48 weeks) at 20 - 25 hours per week, and up to full time over school breaks and the summer, starting in their sophomore, junior or early senior year. A minimum of one year with the same employer is required for each Co-op student; however, students can work as many as 3 years.

Getting Started

If you are interested in participating in DePaul's Cooperative Education Program and would like to post a Co-op position and start interviewing students, please contact:

Leigh Berkowitz
Assistant Director
Cooperative Education Program
coop@depaul.edu
(312) 362-5220 phone