Co-op

Students in The School of Education participate in two three-month co-op experiences in a paid professional position related to their area of certification. For example, a student seeking certification in chemistry might co-op in the chemical industry. The co-op occurs in the summers following the sophomore and junior years.

With a growing imphasis in schools on real world applications of curriculum, and with the growth of school-to-work programs, it is natural that prospective teachers experience the world for which they will be preparing their students.

The co-op placement allows the prospective teacher to experience real world applications of what he or she will be teaching, especially in mathematics, the sciences and technology. It opens doors to resources that education students may call upon when teaching and provides summer job opportunities for the prospective teacher.

The Drexel Plan of Co-operative Education in collaboration with The Steinbright Career Development Center at Drexel University enables the undergraduate student to balance classroom
theory with practical experience prior to graduation.

A pioneer in co-operative education, Drexel operates one of the largest co-operative education programs in the nation (in students placed annually). More than 1,600 business, industrial, governmental, and other institutions located in 18 states and 11 foreign countries cooperate with Drexel in offering students the opportunity to acquire practical experience in employment related to college studies.

Co-operative education at Drexel emphasizes career management through experiential learning as an integral part of the educational process. The Drexel co-op is based on paid employment in practical, major-related positions consistent with the interests, abilities, and aptitudes of the students.