Co-op Position/While on Co-op
Co-op Job Registration
If students obtain their job through the SCDConline pairing process, a Student Co-op Agreement and Registration form will be automatically generated. Students must electronically accept this form through Drexel One under the Steinbright Career Development Center Services link. They must accept this form before the start of their co-op position. If students wish to have a printout of this form, it is necessary to print it prior to agreeing to it, or they can request that a copy be printed by the Steinbright Career Development Center.
If students obtain a job independently, they must turn in the following to be eligible to receive credit:
- completed and signed Student Co-op Agreement and Registration form
- comprehensive job description and offer letter on employer letterhead
- Salary information, hours per week, and start/end dates should be included in the offer letter
- signed Employer Agreement form from the student’s employer
A blank Student Co-op Agreement and Registration form and Employer Agreement form can both be found on the SCDC website at http://www.drexel.edu/scdc/coop_forms.asp.
All of the paperwork listed above must be submitted no later than the end of the second week (drop/add) of the term that co-op begins. If all paperwork is not submitted by this deadline, the student will not receive credit for that co-op cycle unless a petition has already been signed (see ‘Petition for Co-op Credit’).
Paid vs. Unpaid
Typically, co-op is a paid, full-time work experience. However, this sometimes varies based on industry, job market, or other special circumstances.
Co-ops paid at minimum wage or higher are required to work full time (at least 32 hour/week). Co-ops that are unpaid or paid lower than minimum wage are only required to work a minimum of 20 hours a week. Circumstances may arise that do not fall into either category listed above. If a situation warrants special consideration, students should contact their co-op coordinator.
Co-op Must be Major-Related
All co-op positions must be related to a student’s major or concentration. Students who locate co-op positions independently must have their co-op coordinators review and approve the position to ensure that they are major-related. Decisions regarding co-op positions must take into account the long-term objectives of students, employers, and the University.
Commitment of Time
Students are expected to work full-time (at least 32 hours/week) for their co-op assignments. If a student decides to take an unpaid position, they are only expected to work 20 hours a week but can elect to work full-time in an unpaid capacity if they wish. Students must work the full six-month cycle (or 3 month cycle for majors that apply) and must follow the employer’s work schedule. Students who plan to be absent from their co-op job for an extended period of time, or who terminate their co-op employer prior to the end of the co-op term must receive approval from the SCDC and their co-op employer. Special exceptions may apply to athletes or for military obligations (please refer to pg. for information on exceptions).
Co-op Employment is Not Guaranteed
Students who participate in the co-op program are not guaranteed a co-op position through the SCDConline system. The Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) will make every effort to find sufficient opportunities for Co-op experiences for students, but the University cannot make any guarantee of employment. Therefore students who do not secure a position through the SCDC Online system must conduct independent job searches until a co-op is located. The employment process is competitive and academic performance, skills, motivation, maturity, attitude, and employment potential will determine whether a student is offered a job. If a student experiences difficulties in securing a co-op, the SCDC will assist the student in a continuing job search.
Students with Disabilities
Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation for the physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability. If students think they will need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a co-op position or perform essential job functions, or possibly a program modification, they must register with Drexel’s Office of Disability Services.
Classes While on Co-op
Students on co-op are permitted to register for a maximum of six (6) credits per co-op term. In an effort to better couple academics with a student’s cooperative education experience, undergraduate students enrolled in a co-op education program may register for one course (up to three (4) credits) during each term for which they are on a co-op assignment without additional charge. This policy is subject to the following guidelines:
- A maximum of one (1) undergraduate course (up to three (4) credits) may be taken without additional charge; if this course carries more than (4) credits, the additional credits are billed on a per-credit basis.
- If a student registers for a second course, the second course is billed on a per-credit basis.
- Students are not eligible to register for online courses without charge.
- Registration is subject to the approval of both the student's Academic Advisor and Co-op Coordinator. The Co-op Coordinator will ensure that the requested course does not interfere with the student's co-op assignment. In some cases, the co-op employer may be contacted.
- Registration is subject to course availability within established enrollment limits. No new course sections will be added.
- Registration for these courses opens one week prior to the beginning of the respective term. Academic Advisors will assist students in registering for these courses for the Winter term after January 1st.
- The Enrichment Course Policy remains in place. Credits earned in an Enrichment Course count towards the six (6) credit per co-op term maximum.
Job Search Journal Policy
The Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) requires a Job Search Journal from students who are not placed by the beginning of the co-op term. The journal has specific requirements and due dates. (Note: refer to the Job Search Journal forms for details). The Job Search Journal should contain the required components described below, on which the student will be evaluated for co-op credit:
- Letter of Application for Credit
- Resume
- Written Correspondence
- Employer Contact Log
- Weekly Reflection Form
- Ideas of other resources you will investigate in the following week(s).
- Reflections and ideas on how you will strengthen skills.
- Activity Log
- Other Notes
The Journal and all requirements are available through the coordinator at the time students sign the Petition for Co-op Credit. (See: Petition for Co-op Credit link).
Layoff from Co-op
If a student is laid off from a job due to company downsizing or restructuring, he/she will need to contact his/her co-op coordinator immediately. Students will not be penalized for being laid off but will be required to work with their co-op coordinator to locate another co-op position for the remaining time of their scheduled co-op cycle.
Health Insurance
All students are required to have health insurance throughout the academic year including while they are on their co-op. Students are not entitled to receive health insurance benefits thorough their co-op employer.
