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Cooperative Education for Employers
General Information
Cooperative Education is planned, paid work activity which relates to the student's occupational objectives and can be taken in lieu of elective or required course(s) in his/her program of study with the permission of a faculty advisor.
The experience is coordinated by the faculty advisor, who assists the student in planning the experience, visits the site of the experience for a conference with the student and his/her supervisor at least once during the semester and assigns the course grade to the student.
College level co-op is not credit for "just doing a job". Students are expected to learn more about the job, company, career field or business in general. Co-op experience must relate to the student's educational goals. Employed students may use their current employment for co- op experience only if approved. It is the responsibility of the student and his/her faculty advisor to assure programmatic applicability of credit.
For further information, please click on one of the categories in the table or continue reading below the table:
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Business Technologies Division |
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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 schedule students to work on an alternate, rather than a parallel work schedule. Employers such as NASA Glenn Research Center and the Ohio Department of Transportation frequently use this model. 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-campus offer positions for Co-op students. Similar to off-campus co-op positions, students are required to perform their regular 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 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. 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.
5. 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 Office Administration, Construction Management and Civil Engineering Technology, a minimum of 1 semester credit in cooperative education is required for completion. For students majoring in Accounting, a maximum of 2 semester credits can be accepted toward fulfillment of elective requirements.
6. 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 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.
Cooperative Education
Arts & Humanities Division
Business Technologies Division
Engineering Technologies Division
Other Programs
Arts & Humanities Division (THEA 2800)
Prerequisites:
Completion of 10 semester credit hours, minimum GPA 2.0, approval of the Cooperative Education Learning Plan and permission of the Dean of Arts and Humanities.The Cooperative Education program is available to Communications and Performing Arts students. Full- and part-time communications opportunities in radio, television production, stage, theater, print media, and other performing arts may all be appropriate Co-op work experience.
Students interested in "hands-on" exposure to the above fields can arrange to receive academic credit for their work experience. Under the direction of a Co-op Faculty Advisor in the Arts & Humanities Division, students create a Learning Plan which outlines their objectives for the semester. The Advisor monitors the student's progress, and determines a grade at the completion of their assignment.
For more information, or to register for THEA 2800, contact Barbara Britt, Experiential Education Coordinator, at (440) 525-7272.
Business Technologies Division (BUSM 2800)
Prerequisites:
Completion of 10 semester credit hours, completion of BUSM 1300 (Introduction to Business), minimum GPA 2.0, concurrent registration in one other credit course at Lakeland.Cooperative Education work experience is an elective course (BUSM 2800) applicable in any program requiring business electives (Accounting, Management, Information Systems and Office Administration). Cooperative Education work experience is a requirement for Office Administration majors.
Students may register for 1 to 4 credits per semester on the basis of one credit for each 12 hours per week on the job. Re-registration is permitted up to a total of 9 credits in BUSM 2800, except for Accounting majors who are limited to a total of 2 credits in BUSM 2800. Students who intend to transfer credits to another college or university are advised to check with that school regarding the acceptability of cooperative education work experience as a transfer course.
For more information, or to register for BUSM 2800, contact Barbara Britt, Experiential Education Coordinator at (440) 525-7272.
Engineering Technologies Division (ENGR 2800)
Prerequisites:
MECT 1000 (Introduction to Technology), MATH 1001 (Introduction to Technical Mathematics), permission of the Dean of Engineering Technologies, and minimum 2.5 GPA.Registration will be accomplished only after appropriate co-op experience positions have been identified and the employer has accepted the student and the work plan. It is the responsibility of the student and his/her faculty advisor to assure programmatic applicability of co-op credit. Registration for co-op occurs at the same time as other classes unless arrangements are made with the Division Dean. For registration information, contact Barbara Britt, Experiential Education Coordinator at (440) 525-7272.
Other Experiential Learning Programs at Lakeland
Hands-on work experience is highly encouraged by Lakeland Community College. Cooperative education, practical work experience, or some type of field study is a mandatory component of many academic disciplines. These programs include:
For information about these programs, contact the appropriate Program Director or Division Dean.
Updated 05/11/06
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