UNIV 190: Cooperative Education Professional Development Course
Prerequisites: Minimum of 2.5 G.P.A. or by exception with approval by Academic Department Chairperson and Employer. Confirmation of an approved Cooperative Education Agreement Form
Credit Hours: (1)
The Cooperative Education (Co-op) Professional Development Course provides a framework to advance the co-op student鈥檚 theoretical and practical learning and career competencies development. Students will apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom while working within a professional work setting. Through direct participation, reading, reflection, and evaluation, students relate their experience to their academic study, identify areas for growth, and gain a broader understanding of their chosen field. Additionally, the Co-op Professional Development Course will allow co-op students to build a multitude of professional networks. Students produce a culminating critical reflection on their internship experience demonstrating how they have achieved specific learning outcomes.
Co-op experiences are different from typical internships in that co-ops generally refer to students working in a more extensive and/or multi-work term agreement with one employer who has an established partnership with a university academic department
Detailed Description of Course Content
Objectives are developed and approved in consultation with the co-op employer who
ensures that specific work projects and tasks are related to the student鈥檚 academic
studies and chosen career path. Through regularly assigned readings, reflections,
and periodic consultation with the work supervisor, the student will document their
progress throughout the co-op period and will produce a final culminating reflective
statement summarizing what has been learned and how they have achieved the specific
learning outcomes.
At the mid-term and at the end of the co-op period, students will complete a reflective evaluation of their experience. Likewise, the employer will complete a mid-term check-in and final performance evaluation for the co-op student
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Prior to enrolling in UNIV 190, students will secure a co-op rotation with an approved
co-op employer partner and will complete the required Co-Op Agreement form.
The Co-op Professional Development Course will be administered online over the course of the respective academic term, but not to exceed the duration of the corresponding enrollment period.
The student, university, and employer partner are expected to abide by the responsibilities for the Student Co-op, as outlined in the Co-Op Agreement Form.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
The goal of the co-op experience is to provide co-op students with a framework to advance her/his theoretical and practical learning and develop career competencies, while applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom within a professional work setting.
A minimum of two individual course-level co-op project objectives are developed and approved by the academic department in consultation with the employer partner based on the student鈥檚 academic course of study and chosen career path. Each objective should involve new learning or opportunity for expanded growth or improvement. These objectives will serve as a guide for assignment of specific tasks and projects, and will be utilized to evaluate the learning progress of the student.
Upon successful completion of a co-op, students will be able to relate their experience to their academic study, career competencies development, identify areas for continued growth and development, articulate how they have gained a broader understanding of their chosen field, identify specific roles and career opportunities in their chosen field, and indicate how they have established a professional network.
Assessment Measures
Students will receive regular feedback from the faculty-of-record and will be evaluated
by frequent reflection assignments and a final reflective paper showing evidence of
career competency development and specific learning outcomes achievement.
Students will complete a self-evaluation at mid-term and at the conclusion of the co-op.
Students will receive a mid-term check-in and final performance evaluation from the employer that includes assessment of their ability to apply discipline specific knowledge as well as development in career readiness competencies.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
December, 2018