Graduate Co-op Program

SCDC to Hold Graduate Student Co-Op Orientation Session:
All orientation sessions are held at SCDC - 3201 Arch, Suite 250
Monday - March 3 (2 to 3 p.m.)
Tuesday - March 18 (2 to 3 p.m.)
Thursday - march 20 (2 to 3 p.m.)

GCP Workshop Schedule (Location: SCDC - 3201 Arch Street, 2nd Floor):

The Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) invites graduate students who are interested in participating in graduate co-op to attend an orientation session. This option is available to MBA, MSSE, MSIS, and MS students. Full-time students enrolled in these graduate programs may select this option to gain work experience directly related to their career goals. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the program’s academic requirements, obtain an overview of employment opportunities, and learn about conducting an independent job search.

Students are required to attend the orientation session in order to participate in the program. Pre-registration is not required. For additional information please visit the SCDC website: www.drexel.edu/scdc and select the Graduate Co-op Program tab.

Graduate Co-op Program (GCP)

Drexel's long tradition in the field of experiential education has been extended into it's Master's programs in the Colleges of Business, Engineering, Information Science and Technology, and the School of Biomedical Engineering. The Graduate Co-op Program (GCP) option is available to MBA, MSSE, MSIS, and MS students. Students enrolled in these graduate programs - full-time students may select this option to gain work experience directly related to their career goals.

The program enables you to accept a paid position in your career field and receive academic credit. Employment opportunities are available each January, April, June, and September, coinciding with the start of each term.

The GCP program does not guarantee jobs. It is a market driven process, both for students and as employers. GCP provides the tools and contacts, you get the job on your own merits, qualifications and skills.

Eligibility

Participation in GCP is optional and a minimum of 24 graduate credits and a GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the program (some departments require a higher GPS). Due to USCIS requirements, international students are required to complete three terms as a full-time student before becoming eligible to participate.

International students, whose primary language is not English, must also demonstrate business-usage English proficiency to the Graduate Co-op Coordinator. If you are an international student, full-time employment as a part of the CIE program is considered an integral part of your education process; therefore, you will retain your student status during the six month employment period.

Participating Graduate Co-op Programs:

• M.S., MBA, B.A./M.S., LeBow College of Business
• M.S.I.S./ College of Information Science and Technology
• M.S., Engineering , College of Engineering
• M.S., Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering
• M.S., Higher Education, School of Education
• M.S., Global and International Education, School of Education

Credits

When you receive and accept an employment offer, you will enroll in a three-credit GCP course for each three month period of your employment. Before your six-month employment opportunity begins, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with you throughout the GCP experience. Although you will be enrolled in a course, you will not attend class. Instead, you will be employed in a full-time position and converse with your faculty advisor to develop a project that will reflect your work experience. At the end of your six-month assignment you will receive a grade based on your approved project.

Locations

Although the Graduate Co-op Program does not limit students to working in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has been designated as one of the top ten job markets in the United States. The Graduate Co-op Coordinator will work with you to identify appropriate employment opportunities, which can include jobs outside of the Philadelphia area.

Duration

The GCP experience lasts a full six-month period. If you are offered and accept an employment opportunity, you will work full-time ( usually 37.5 - 40 hours / week ) and are limited to taking only one additional course each academic term.

Compensation

Depending on major and market considerations the salaries have ranged from $500 to $1,000 per week.

Housing

You are required to obtain your own living arrangements while participating in the Graduate Co-op Program.

Insurance

You must obtain and keep your health insurance and immunizations current to participate in the Graduate Co-op Program.

Application

You should meet with our Graduate Co-op Coordinator to discuss your interest as early as three months prior to your anticipated job start date. This will ensure that you have ample time to understand the program, discuss your career objectives, review/amend your résumé, conduct practice interviews, and, if necessary, schedule language testing. Consult the GCP Calendar for more details.