progressive in experience and alternates between classes and work terms.

The Cooperative Education Program for the College of Engineering and Applied Science Student Handbook covers the

policies and procedures of the mandatory, undergraduate Cooperative Education Program for the College of

Engineering and Applied Science. If you have questions about the Cooperative Education Program anytime throughout

your participation, you should refer to this handbook or talk to your Faculty Cooperative Education (Co-op) Advisor to

seek clarification.

The following key terms will aid in understanding and implementation of the policies and procedures contained in this

Handbook.

Academic Semester: The semester(s) during which the student is enrolled and participating in academic courses on

campus.

Advanced Standing: Status given to a student by the college and the Professional Standards Review Committee for

qualifying previous work experiences.

Certification: Certification is the process whereby Academic advisors review each student’s cumulative record to

determine co-op eligibility. A student whose record satisfies certain academic conditions will be certified to participate in

the Professional Practice (Co-op) program.

the co-op job.

Cooperative Education (Co-op): The academic program which alternates terms of full-time academic course work with

terms of full-time work experience which is paid, properly supervised and evaluated, and discipline-related.

Faculty Cooperative Education Advisor: The faculty member in CCPS who is responsible for administering the

Matriculated: Officially enrolled in an academic college and/or major.

Mission of Cooperative Ed ucatio n

academic program of cooperative education. This pedagogic innovation had its founding at the University of Cincinnati

in 1906. Through cooperative education, the professional world partners with the University to integrate theory and

www.uc.edu/campus-life/careereducation/get-experience/co-op/full-time/majors.html to view a list of the degrees that

require mandatory or offer optional programs.

UC requires that Cooperative Education positions meet the following requirements:

The Inter national Co -op Program (ICP)

The International Co-op Program (ICP) provides exciting opportunities for UC students to learn a second language and

gain international experience through an overseas co-op assignment in Germany or Japan. ICP maintains the same

opportunity to expand their academic, cultural, and industrial knowledge.

Students complete the first three co-op semesters in the U.S., followed by two semesters of co-op abroad (usually spring

and summer of the fourth year). In preparation for the international co-op experience, students learn the language and

culture of the country in which they will be working through courses specifically designed for co-op students.

Admission to the ICP is competitive and requires a 3.0 GPA. Students are encouraged to apply at the first opportunity,

which is spring semester of the first-year. Early application is preferable to enable students to make choices that fit ICP

courses into existing curriculum requirements. Late applications (pre-junior year) will be considered only if space is

available and with approval of the student's faculty co-op advisor.

The Inter national Exper ience Program ( IEP )

The International Experience Programs combine comprehensive cultural immersion with work integrated-learning.

Students participating in the program earn academic credit for their full-time, semester-long, academic internship or co-

We offer experiences in the following locations:

Experiential Explorations Program (EEP)

The Experiential Explorations Program (EEP) is designed to give students enrolled in the Cooperative Education Program

the opportunity to have an educational alternative to traditional co-op positions and to provide students and co-op

faculty with additional educational employment alternatives to better prepare students to qualify for future co-op and

beginning the EEP. Dependent upon which EEP is used; students may be required to complete the co-op assignments as

typically prescribed by CCPS and the Faculty Co-op Advisor.

Co-op students may choose from the following EEP options. Each option offers a description and information on the

Emerging Professional EEP

Students in required co-op programs will develop their professional and technical skills through the Emerging

Cooperative Education and Professional Studies and completed under the guidance of a mentor/practicing professional

experiences throughout the course of one academic term. The Emerging Professional EEP is intended to be a faculty-

or upon recommendation of their faculty co-op advisor.

minimum of 350 (fall/spring) 300 (summer) total hours per semester and must be verified by a faculty member

in the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies

Professional Practice EEP

(Replaces the Creative Practice EEP by opening the criteria to all co-op students)

The Professional Practice EEP allows students to substitute one semester of cooperative education work experience with a

professional practice experience. The experience may include discipline-related projects, exploration of specific

concepts and development of professional and technical skills. The Professional Practice EEP is a student-initiated

independent exploration that cannot be completed under the structure of the traditional co-op model. The

experience will be designed by the student in collaboration with a faculty member in the College of Cooperative

From one major to another major in the same University of Cincinna ti college

For example: A change in major from mechanical engineering (CEAS) to computer science (CEAS).

Faculty Cooperative Education Advisor to inform the advisor of the change and to be advised of further necessary

Students who have begun participation in the Cooperative Education Program in another major and have completed (or

within the same college.

procedure, have had a satisfactory cooperative education record, meet all of the academic eligibility requirements, and

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing may be granted for a co-op semester under either of following criteria:

Co-op experience from another academic program or educational institution that has a Cooperative Education

Program with similar standards. Experience must be noted on a transcript.

-OR-

A student must indicate prior experience when initially applying to the Cooperative Education Program and complete a

necessarily reduce the time to graduation, which is also impacted by academic course requirements and course offering

schedules.

The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) offers classroom-based introductory cooperative

education courses, mid-curricular courses, and additional preparatory courses. These courses are taught by the faculty of

the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies.

Introduction to Cooperative Education for CEAS (PD1011)

The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) offers an academic course required for

participants in the Cooperative Education Program. This course is designed to introduce students to the cooperative

education learning model and how it is executed through the Cooperative Education Program. It will prepare students to

maximize learning and assist in the development of strategies and necessary skills for effective participation in the

Exploring Culture, Life, and Work Abroad (PD2010)

This course is designed to introduce students to concepts and practices necessary to successfully live and work abroad

and provides students with an overview of international program options at the university. Students will examine aspects

of culture, as applied to their personal culture and culture of a target country of their choice. Students will develop

strategies to successfully participate in an international work-abroad experience and will examine social issues that

affect cultural participation and equity. This course is open to all students at the university and is required for those

accepted into the International Cooperative Education Program (ICP).

explore career options, prepare for the full-time job search, and discipline-specific topics of their choosing. Students must

discipline-specific job markets and preferences, certain procedures used during participation in the Cooperative

Education Program and the search for a cooperative education position will vary based on student major and/or

advisor. However, all disciplines adhere to the same basic tenets of the job search, interviews, acceptance, and

Determining the First Work Term

will be either the 1st or 2nd semester of the sophomore year. For transfer or transitioning students, this will be the first

available co-op term as planned by their academic advisor. A student must be willing to accept a co-op position in

either a Section I or Section II schedule-to begin in fall or spring (if applicable).

Cooperative Education Calendar

The student is required to be available for employment beginning the first date of the co-op semester through the end

date as prescribed by the Cooperative Education Calendar

The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) publishes a Cooperative Education Calendar,

which is slightly different than the academic calendar. The co-op program provides full-time, year-round co-op

employment for employers.

In the instance a student is unable to fulfill the obligation to the Cooperative Education Calendar due to lay-off,

termination, accident, illness, or through no fault of their own, the student should contact their Faculty Cooperative

Education Advisor immediately.

All decisions with respect to co-op positions must be made in the light of their effect on the student, the employer, and

academic studies and such opportunities are available. The educational value of the experience available from a co-op

position, not the pay rate, section, or location, is the controlling factor in determining the appropriateness of a student's

employment opportunities.

Due to fluctuations in the labor market, the University cannot guarantee employment for any student. However, the hiring

rate for UC co-op students has consistently been higher than the national average.

search until a position is secured. This includes following procedures and communicating clearly with your faculty co-op

advisor. Should any issues arise, these should be communicated to your faculty co-op advisor immediately.

There is no way to compel an employer to hire when there is no need for a student's services. Past experience has shown

that most employers are not receptive to the employment of a student with poor academic standing or one whose

previous employment record is unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is important not only to maintain satisfactory academic

progress but also to provide employers with acceptable job performance. If there are extenuating circumstances that

prevent your return for a second term, you should notify your co-op advisor and submit a Student Petition to the

Section Assignment: While students in academic programs that are designated as “double-section” may

Geographic Location: At the time of acceptance into the Cooperative Education Program students agree that

there are no restrictions as to geographic location of co-op. That means they must apply and be willing to work

in any of the 50 United States and not only searching in the tri-state area. If a student later attempts to impose

restrictions on the co-op position location (i.e. declining a job offer due to geographic location), participation in

the program may be revoked until a time when the student can fulfill the participation requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Employers of co-op students, whose policies and practices are not found to be consistent with the institution's policy, will

be advised of their need to comply if they are to continue their working relationships with the College of Cooperative

Education and Professional Studies (CCPS).

The University of Cincinnati does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry,

position is secured. This includes following job search and CCPS procedures and communicating clearly with faculty co-op

advisors.

Students that do not fully participate in the search process as defined by their faculty co-op advisor may be considered

non-compliant and may be removed from the search. Faculty co-op advisors may determine non-compliance at any time

and will communicate this to both the student and their academic advisor via email. Should this occur, the student will be

required to make up the missing co-op term. This may delay the student’s graduation.

Students must complete a minimum number of job applications utilizing university resources as pre-determined by their

faculty co-op advisor. This may include both a minimum number of jobs “ranked” or applied for through PAL, Handshake,

or through external sites.

Students will receive notification that they are non-compliant and being removed from the job search if they fail an

employer-required pre-employment drug test. Please refer to the UC Student Code of Conduct for further information

as it pertains to other possible university actions: www.uc.edu/campus-life/conduct/student-code-of-conduct.html

Students will receive notification that they are Non-compliant and their paperwork is being sent to PSRC (Professional

op advisor. If the student decides they would like to appeal the noncompliance decision - they can follow the PSRC

Relocation

Transportation, relocation, and housing are the responsibility of the student, not the University or employer, and must be

handled in such a way as not to interfere with starting and completing a co-op position.

The Curricular Practical Training form will require approval from your co-op advisor so students need to make sure they

have their correct email address. These requests take 5 business days to process so make sure to plan ahead. Students

should let the co-op advisor know when they have submitted the request so the co-op advisor can confirm the co-op

assignment with UC International Services.

Verificat ion of Full - Time Sta tus

The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) is not involved in health insurance practices or

policies and, therefore, will not assume responsibility for any health insurance charges for any reason.

Any questions related to health insurance should be directed to the Student Health Insurance Office, (513) 556-6868 or

visit www.med.uc.edu/landing-pages/studenthealth/home.

by co-op participation. Most aid is typically applied to academic semesters. Some aid may be applied to a co-op

Absence for Personal Reasons

The student should not ask the employer for time off from work for any reason, academic, social, or other, without first

employer.

Experience has shown that the first semester in a co-op position with a company involves a high level of training and

acclimation, and it is after this first semester that students are able to function at a higher level and contribute in the

position.

Further, in most cases, it is more advantageous for the student to try to progress within the organization of one employer

than to change continually from one employer to another. Each time a student starts with a new employer, there is

usually a period during which the student is being tested and the employer may be hesitant to give much responsibility.

In addition, co-op positions often increase in interest and responsibility after the student has been with the same

organization for several co-op semesters.

Voluntary Cha nge

If a student has completed two co-op semesters with a single employer and desires or has a need to change employers,

academic semester in which the change is sought. This request must be approved prior to a student participating in job

search activities. Prior to making decisions regarding changes in employment status, a student should contact the Faculty

Cooperative Education Advisor.

Example: A student wishing to change employers for the upcoming Spring Semester must turn in the completed form by

the end of the second week of the Fall Semester.

Changes in assignment are permitted but are not granted solely on a basis of student financial gains, personal

initiate a discussion with an employer concerning the desire to change employers without the prior approval of the

Faculty Cooperative Education Advisor.

of the second week of the fall semester.

A student is not permitted to take any academic courses that would conflict with the regularly established work hours as

determined by the employer. Provided there are no such conflicts, students may elect to take up to a maximum of six

fail to pay self-employment taxes.

Unemployment Compensation

Students may not apply for unemployment compensation based upon periods of Cooperative Education employment.

It is not ethical for a participating student to request or receive unemployment compensation based upon periods of

Cooperative Education employment. Such application on the part of a Cooperative Education student is in violation of

Cooperative Education employer. Any student who makes an inappropriate application for unemployment compensation

will be subject to immediate suspension from the Cooperative Education Program.

Suspension or Withdrawal

Participation in the Cooperative Education Program is affected by academic suspension or withdrawal from an

academic program. Students under suspension are restricted from making forward progress in their academic program.

Education Program at the conclusion of the suspension.

Cooperati ve Educ atio n Suspensio n

The Professional Standards Review Committee can issue a cooperative education suspension to a student for failing to

comply with Cooperative Education Program policies which includes unprofessional conduct while employed in a co-op

position. This sanction typically results in academic suspension.

Official Withdrawal from the Cooperati ve Education Program