Co-op Program Standards

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PDFs: Co-op Learning Plan | Co-op Position Description Form | On-Campus Job Description Form

1. Credit Hours. Students must work an average 12 hours per week for 15 weeks (180 hours) to receive 1 credit; 24 hours per week for 15 weeks (360 hours) to receive 2 credits; and 36 hours per week for 15 weeks (540 or more) to receive 3 credits. In limited cases, students in the Business Division working more than 48 hours per week for 15 weeks (720 hours) may request to receive 4 credits. Students are required to provide documentation of hours worked to their Faculty Advisor if requested.

2. Work Schedule. The alternate, or traditional, work schedule requires that Co-op students alternate between periods of full-time work and full-time school. A limited number of Co-op worksites (such as NASA Glenn Research Center and the Ohio Department of Transportation) schedule students to work on an alternate work schedule. A parallel work schedule, used by the majority of Lakeland Co-op employers, allows the student to work (full-, or part-time) while attending school (full-, or part-time).

3. On-Campus Co-Op Positions. Although most co-op jobs are off campus and have unlimited earning potential, some departments on Lakeland's main campus offer positions for Co-op students. Similar to off-campus Co-op positions, students are required to perform their job duties under the direction of their worksite supervisor, as well as complete projects assigned by their Co-op Faculty Advisor. Because of the additional responsibilities required of Co-op students working on campus, they receive a higher hourly wage than regular on-campus student employees. The hourly rate for on-campus co-op jobs is $8.50 per hour.

4. Pay Rates. Pay rates for cooperative education work experience are determined by the company and vary based on the student's abilities, size and location of the company, and academic discipline. On average, Business majors earn a starting wage in Co-op of $9-11 per hour while Engineering Technology majors earn $10-15 per hour. Many students find that Co-op jobs lead to opportunities for full-time permanent employment upon graduation from Lakeland. The hiring rate of students who successfully complete their Co-op experiences is close to eighty percent!

5. Worksite Standards. Cooperative Education assumes that employers will treat students in a manner that is consistent with their treatment of their regular employees. Normal supervision, safety, and ethical standards are expected. A written job description from all Co-op employers is required.

6. Academic Departmental Standards. The college policy states that a maximum of 9 credits may be earned in combination of field experience, cooperative education work experience, and/or practicum over a two-year associate degree program. Individual academic departments may set more stringent guidelines. For students majoring in OADM, Construction Management, and Civil Engineering Technology, a minimum of 1 semester credit in cooperative education is required for degree completion. For students majoring in Accounting, a maximum of 2 semester credits can be accepted toward fulfillment of elective requirements.

7. Faculty Advisor Assignments. Once a student has registered for cooperative education, the Experiential Education Coordinator provides the corresponding worksite placement information to the Division Dean's office, and a faculty advisor assignment is made.

It is the expectation per the guidelines approved by the College's Curriculum Review Committee for BUSM 2800, THEA 2800 and ENGR 2800 that Co-op Faculty Advisors will:

• Share in the development of an appropriate Learning Plan;
• Inform student in writing about course requirements and the method of evaluation;
• Meet periodically with the student to determine progress;
• Conduct an onsite visit to meet with the student and his/her supervisor;
• Assign final determination of course grade.

The onsite visit to the worksite by the Faculty Advisor will not only sustain and strengthen the college's relationship with the employer, but also allow us to assure the position, job responsibilities and work environment provide an appropriate learning experience.

Updated 08/29/07