What is Co-op?

Hands on experience that will get you hired

Cooperative Education (co-op) is a full-time, semester long job, in your field of study that enables you to apply classroom learning to professional work experience. At Wentworth a co-op must be 30-40 hours per week and generally is completed between the first day of classes and the last day of finals during the semester you are working.

Wentworth offers one of the most comprehensive co-op programs in the nation. Unlike most schools, co-op at Wentworth is a requirement: all undergraduate day students must successfully complete two co-op semesters in order to graduate.

You will have plenty of support to help you achieve your professional goals. Your first step is to enroll in and complete Co-op Institute, a co-op preparation course that is offered in the spring and fall semesters. Additionally, your dedicated Co-op + Career Advisor will work with you on résumé writing, job-search strategies, and interviewing techniques. We also provide annual career fairs, a mock interview event, online job search tools, and on-campus recruiting.

Important Upcoming Co-op Dates:

Co-op Schedule	Fall 2022	Spring 2023	Summer 2023
Semester begins (first official start date of co-op)	Tuesday, September 6	Tuesday, January 10	Thursday, May 11
Last day to report your hire	Tuesday, September 13	Tuesday, January 17	Thursday, May 18
Latest employment start date	Monday, September 19	Monday, January 23	Wednesday, May 24
Co-op assessment due – student & employer	Monday, December 5	Wednesday, April 12	Wednesday, August 9
Last day of official co-op semester	Tuesday, December 13	Wednesday, April 19	Thursday, August 17

TimingWith the exception of Architecture, Applied Mathematics, Electromechanical Engineering, and  3 year program Computer Science majors, all students must complete their required co-ops in the spring semester of their junior year and the fall semester of their senior year.
With the exception of Architecture, Applied Mathematics, Electromechanical Engineering, and 3 year program Computer Science majors, students may complete an optional co-op the summer following their sophomore year. Note that optional co-ops cannot be applied toward the graduation requirement.
Architecture majors will complete their co-ops during the summer after their sophomore year and the spring of their junior year.
Applied Mathematics majors (3-year program) will complete their co-ops during the summer semester following their sophomore year and the spring semester of their final year.
Electromechanical Engineering is transitioning from a five-year program (when students completed their required co-ops during the summers between their fourth and fifth years). Within the 4 year program, students will follow the typical co-op schedule, spring of junior year and fall of senior year.
Students in the new 3 year program for Computer Science may complete an optional co-op the summer following their first year, and their required co-ops in the summer after their second year and the spring of their third year.
BenefitsYour co-op experiences will be directly related to your field of study, allowing you to tie your coursework to concrete knowledge developed in the workplace.
30% of the class of 2021 were offered post-graduate full-time employment by their co-op employer(s).
During your co-op experiences, you earn income and not pay tuition, allowing you to save toward future semesters.
EligibilityEligibility for co-ops is determined by your class standing and cumulative GPA (check the academic catalogue for your major’s requirement).
Review the Co-op Handbook for policies, procedures and general information.
International students are not allowed to participate in a co-op in the cannabis industry. It is a violation of federal immigration laws for a foreign national to have anything to do with marijuana cultivation.
Although Cannabis has been legalized both recreationally and medicinally in some states, it remains illegal under federal law. Wentworth Institute of Technology is a drug-free campus, consistent with federal law. Wentworth may post co-op positions in the cannabis industry in those states that have legalized medical and/or recreational use of cannabis but cautions that the use and/or sale of cannabis may be prosecuted by federal law enforcement and that any such co-ops, research, or job opportunities could potentially affect your federal student loans, immigration status, or future background checks for security clearances. Any student who chooses to engage in such employment does so at their own risk.Wentworth will approve co-ops that are ancillary to the organization but not for jobs where the students would be handling cannabis (like a dispensary).  Examples, a co-op may be approved if the student is working in the IT department or other business functions within a cannabis organization but will not be approved where the student is touching the cannabis.Therefore, Wentworth advises international students, students with federal loans and students who may seek a security clearance in the future to not work in the cannabis industry.

Transfer Students: Planning for Your Co-opShare This: Share Transfer Students: Planning for Your Co-op on TwitterShare Transfer Students: Planning for Your Co-op on LinkedinShare Transfer Students: Planning for Your Co-op on Facebook
Transfer students must ensure they meet specific criteria before going on co-op. Use this guide to successfully prepare for co-op.

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How To Be Successful on Co-opShare This: Share How To Be Successful on Co-op on TwitterShare How To Be Successful on Co-op on LinkedinShare How To Be Successful on Co-op on Facebook
Follow these tips to be successful while on co-op. Your goals while on co-op should be to sharpen your skills, …

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Co-op Terms & ConditionsShare This: Share Co-op Terms & Conditions on TwitterShare Co-op Terms & Conditions on LinkedinShare Co-op Terms & Conditions on Facebook
The Terms & Conditions document describes the expectations Co-ops & Careers has for all Wentworth students. It is important for …

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Co-op Policies & GuidelinesShare This: Share Co-op Policies & Guidelines on TwitterShare Co-op Policies & Guidelines on LinkedinShare Co-op Policies & Guidelines on Facebook
Cooperative Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology integrates academic studies with work experience related to the student’s field of study. …

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Co-op FAQSShare This: Share Co-op FAQS on TwitterShare Co-op FAQS on LinkedinShare Co-op FAQS on Facebook
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Co-ops at Wentworth.

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Co-op Guidelines for Wentworth Faculty and StaffShare This: Share Co-op Guidelines for Wentworth Faculty and Staff on TwitterShare Co-op Guidelines for Wentworth Faculty and Staff on LinkedinShare Co-op Guidelines for Wentworth Faculty and Staff on Facebook
These guidelines help Wentworth co-op supervisors understand the commitment involved with hiring and supervising a co-op student. They outline how …

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