Lee College of Engineering

Student Professional Development

Job Shadowing	Internships (49erships)	Co-Op	International Experiences	ENGR 3295	FE Exam	Full-Time Employment	Graduate Programs and GRE

What is Cooperative Education (Co-op)?

The Co-op Program is sponsored by the University Career Center. It allows you to gain career-related experience before you graduate and build an impressive resume that makes you extremely marketable to employers. Your co-op employer also has the opportunity to evaluate your potential as a future permanent employee. Students who participate in co-op traditionally are highly recruited and receive higher starting salaries than other graduates.

Co-ops are paid work experiences in a professional setting with progressive responsibility. You must work full-time for three semesters, typically alternating each semester. You may also choose to do back-to-back co-ops by combining a spring or fall semester of work with a summer semester of work.

Following each work experience you will be required to enroll in a one-credit hour co-op seminar course. You earn three credit hours of academic credit by successfully completing the co-op program, which is noted on your transcript. Successful completion of co-op also exempts you from one year of work experience under the supervision of a Professional Engineer. This is an attractive benefit for students who are planning to become licensed as Professional Engineers.

What are the eligibility requirements?

You must be enrolled full-time, in good academic standing, and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. You must also commit to working three full-time semesters with the same company. Finally, you must pay a $60 co-op fee during the work semesters to maintain your full-time student status enabling you to use university housing, health center, and financial aid.

You may participate in the co-op program following your freshman year. Transfer students must complete 12 credit hours at UNC Charlotte prior to applying to the co-op program.

For more information on 49erships or Co-op, please visit the University Career Center in 150 Atkins or Linda Thurman in Smith 266 or at lthurman@uncc.edu or (704) 687-4415.

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