Get answers to all your co-op questions

Students receive unique, hands-on experiences during their time at the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) through the cooperative education (co-op) program. Co-op is built into the curriculum and students alternate between semesters in the classroom and semesters working full-time in industry or research. 

More than 100 years ago, Herman Schneider, who served as engineering dean in 1906, began requiring students to alternate between taking classes and working in the field, thus founding the first-ever co-op program. 

Co-op is common vernacular at UC, but prospective and incoming students often have questions about the program and how the process works. Here are the answers to some of the most asked co-op questions from our CEAS admissions experts. 

Yes. Typically, internships are optional, summer positions students hold while in school. A co-op, when it is built into the curriculum (like at UC), is a requirement for graduation and happens during summer, fall and spring terms. Co-op jobs are designed to include meaningful work on real-world engineering projects. 

Because all students participate, co-op is integrated seamlessly into the curriculum. An undergraduate engineering degree at UC takes five years and 13 total semesters. Like a four-year undergraduate degree, students will spend eight semesters in the classroom, taking a combination of engineering and general education courses required at UC. While the exact schedule varies by major, all students will take the Introduction to Co-op for CEAS course within their first year to prepare them for obtaining their co-op and working in industry and/or research. Once a student starts in CEAS, they will either be in class or working on co-op every semester (including summer semesters) until they graduate, with one exception; the summer after their first year, students are not required to take classes or work on co-op. Some students also participate in undergraduate research during their free summer. 

Students are responsible for finding, applying, interviewing and securing co-op positions on their own. However, the advisors through the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) and UC as a whole offer a lot of helpful resources along the way. 

CEAS and CCPS provide students with numerous resources to help them find a co-op. The university organizes two career fairs each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Hundreds of employers attend, looking to hire students for co-op positions and, typically, the career fair will have one day dedicated to engineering and applied science students. 

CEAS students are assigned a co-op advisor through CCPS, who they meet with once a semester to help them navigate the co-op process. That advisor also teaches the required introduction to co-op course. Through this course, students learn how to set career goals, build a resume, search for jobs, develop interview skills, and generally prepare to work in a professional environment. 

UC uses the recruiting tool Handshake that lists open co-op positions, as well as PAL, which is a custom database to help co-op employers match with qualified students. 

Yes. Students can choose to co-op locally, out of state, or outside of the U.S. Through the International Co-op Program or the International Experience Program, students can learn a new culture, new language, and explore the world. Read a first-hand account of one student's experience on an international co-op. 

Hundreds of companies hire UC students for co-op positions every year. If students follow the instruction of their professors and co-op advisor, it is rare that they will not find a position. However, if a student is unable to find an industry co-op, there is an option to participate in a research co-op instead. UC is a tier 1 research institution, meaning that there are many opportunities internally for students to participate in research due to the amount of faculty members conducting research. Students can participate in groundbreaking research at CEAS for one, or multiple, of their required co-op rotations. Research co-ops are also a great option for students interested in pursuing research careers or advanced degrees. 

Students also have the option to participate in the Experiential Exploration Program through independent work in one of four areas: Emerging Professional, Professional Practice, Entrepreneurship, and Career Related Travel. 

Although engineering is a five-year program at CEAS, students only pay tuition for the semesters they are in the classroom. There is a small co-op fee that students are required to pay during the semesters they are working. This fee allows students to maintain their status as full-time students while on co-op, letting the university know they plan on returning to classes and campus the following semester. The fee may vary, but it is substantially lower than the price of tuition. This fee allows students continued access to university facilities such as the rec center, etc. that they can use if their co-op is local. 

Students are not required or encouraged to take classes while working full-time at their co-op jobs. If they choose to or need to take classes while on co-op, they should work with their co-op advisor to ensure they do not interfere with their job responsibilities. Typically, if students take classes while on co-op, they will take general education courses. These courses are required by all programs and are not major specific. 

On average, students will make a total of $61,000 on co-op through their UC career. Hourly, co-op students make an average of $20/hour, though the exact amount varies by major and employer. 

If students are living in University of Cincinnati residence halls, they can complete the checkout procedure outlined by University Housing at the conclusion of the term prior to their co-op assignment. 

Students living in off-campus housing will often pair up with another student who is on the opposite co-op rotation and each live there while in classes. Students will also utilize subleasing groups on social media if their landlord/rental company allows subleasing. They can post the housing they are leaving and find another student to sublease while they are gone. 

Students will sometimes be offered housing from their co-op company if they are relocating for the position. Hannah Newman, fifth-year computer engineering student, spent multiple co-op rotations at GE Appliances in Louisville, KY and the company offered housing for their co-op hires. Additionally, many companies will offer housing stipends for students who must relocate for the position. Students should confirm housing options with the company before accepting an offer. 

Through five semesters of co-op, students can try out different jobs related to their major, giving them a chance to find what they like and don't like before they graduate. Students gain 1.5 years of paid, professional work experience along with their degree. After co-op, many students have full-time job offers from one of their co-op companies before they even reach graduation day.