SCDC Policies: Co-op Cycles

Click on topic below for detailed definitions:

• Changing Concentrations
• Co-op Waivers (medical or military)
• Military Obligations
• Athletes
• Co-op Cycle Swap Policy

New students’ co-op cycles are set annually in October of the freshman year; students are notified of their cycle by mail and email. Exceptions are as follows:

• All Westphal College cycles are determined by the academic departments in consultation with the Steinbright Career Development Center
• Transfer cycles are set upon review of transfer credits and are determined by the academic departments

Changing Concentrations

Students choose their co-op concentration upon applying to the University. Currently, students are permitted to change their co-op concentration at any time; however changes can only be applied as follows:

• Change requests made at the start of the term up until the end of the 2nd week of the term can be made effective immediately (i.e.: if requesting a change the 1st week of the spring term, the concentration change is effective that spring term).
  
  
• Change requests made after the second week of any term is made effective the following term (i.e.: if requesting a change the 3rd week of the spring term, the concentration change is effective the start of the summer term).
  
  If a student is an internal or external transfer, he/she is only required to complete two co-ops in the 5COP program (but may have an option to do three depending on student’s academic plan).
  
• Students changing into a 5COP program must be able to academically complete three required co-op cycles as well as meet all co-op eligibility requirements (see co-op concentration page for full requirements).

The process of changing concentration requires the completion of a Change of Curriculum and Status Form. This form must be submitted for signatures to the academic department, the Steinbright Career Development Center, the International Students and Scholars Services office (for international students only) and the Bursar and Financial Aid offices. The change of concentration will not take effect until all signatures are gathered, and submitted to appropriate department for processing by registrar. Nursing students please see exceptions on pg.

Co-op Waivers

Students do not do a co-op but receive co-op credit, that is, the co-op cycle is not removed or changed. The following categories are the only situations that may warrant a co-op waiver:

• Medical
  To qualify for a medical waiver, students must go to the Office of Disability Services
  
  
• Military
  To qualify for a military waiver, students must submit appropriate documentation such as their “orders.” Students enrolled in ROTC may also require a waiver for training, etc.

These waivers will be evaluated and appropriate documentation is required.

Military Obligations

Enrollment in ROTC at Drexel may require a special co-op cycle. Usually students in this program are assigned a spring/summer cycle. It is important to note that if a student’s original cycle was fall/winter and the student subsequently leaves ROTC, his/her cycle will revert back to the original fall/winter cycle.

There may be other military obligations which require a cycle change. These situations will be evaluated individually and documentation is necessary.

Athletes

Due to the varying seasons in which teams are active, special co-op cycles may be needed. Once the SCDC verifies that a student is a member of an NCAA varsity team, the cycle will be switched if necessary. If a student leaves a team, the co-op cycle may revert to the original assigned cycle.

Co-op Cycle Swap Policy

Click here for 2007-08 SWAP Policy (Deadline for SWAP request is November 12, 2007)

New freshman only (no transfers) desiring a co-op experience on a cycle different from the one designated may request an exchange (a swap). This exchange must be with a student in the SAME college, the SAME class year and the SAME major (e.g., Arts student 4 year and Arts student 4 year, Science student 5 year and Science student 5 year, etc.). The guidelines for exchanging co-op cycles are as follows:

1. If a student has identified another student on the opposite co-op cycle in the same college, class year and major, then both students must come to the SCDC to complete a Petition for Change in Co-op Cycle by petition deadline date.
   
   
2. If a student has not identified another student to swap with, then the student needs to come to the SCDC and register his/her request in the Swap Book. An equal swap is not guaranteed.
   
   
3. Students are notified of the cycle swap deadline in the co-op cycle assignment notification letter. Students should contact their coordinator for more information. Co-op cycles may not be swaped after the swap deadline date identified in the cycle assignment notification letter. Students will be notified in writing if a change has been made or not. If no swap could be made, those students will also receive a letter. No changes of cycles will be finalized until they are in writing from the Steinbright Career Development Center.