Experiential Learning programs are great opportunities for students to explore in-class learning through real-world work.
Our part-time internships and full-time co-ops will allow students to explore career interests and network with potential employers, while employers have the opportunity to bring fresh talent to projects.
How co-ops and internships work
At the College of Professional Studies, we are in the process of designing co-ops and internships to be optional components of select bachelors and masters degree programs. They will follow a "parallel" model, meaning that students work at their placements during the day and may take classes at night.
Academic internships that relate to a student's degree program can be completed for credit provided that the student meets requirements and the internship is approved. Typically a 12 week internship counts for 3 quarter hours. Credits will count for open electives or degree courses if approved by the program director. Students must take additional classes to ensure full time status.
Co-ops do not count for academic credit, but they carry full time status for financial aid and student visa purposes. The course that accompanies a co-op, Personal and Career Development: Leadership in Practice, counts for 3 quarter hours per 12 week term. These credits substitute for open electives.
Students who are interested and meet the requirements (see below) will be referred for an interview with the potential employers. Upon acceptance of a position, co-op students will be enrolled in co-op and the course Personal and Career Development: Leadership in Practice. The course is designed to help students tie their work experiences with their career exploration and academic goals, and fulfills open elective credits or a portion of a capstone project. Internship students will be registered for a discipline specific internship and may also register for Personal and Career Development, though it is not required.
We cannot guarantee a placement for every student who is qualified to participate. Students are ultimately responsible for securing their own positions through an interview process. We are here to provide resources, suggestions, ideas and referrals.
Though both co-op and internships are Experiential Learning programs, they differ slightly.
Co-ops are:
paid positions where students negotiate a salary with their employer
between 35-40 hours a week
paired with the Personal and Career Development: Leadership in Practice class, in which students earn 3 quarter hours of credit towards open electives.
Internships are:
paid/unpaid positions
10 + hours a week
credit bearing with students earning a total of 3 quarter hours of credit towards open electives
Requirements:
Students interested in co-op should meet the following requirements:
Enrollment in a BS or MS degree program
Cumulative QPA 3.000 or above.
Undergraduates must have completed 42 quarter hours in foundation degree courses. Graduate students must have completed 21 quarter hours in required courses. (Students may not be on academic probation or have an “incomplete” grade for any of their required prerequisites.)
Students holding an F-1 visa must be enrolled full time for one academic year (three consecutive quarters) before engaging in co-op.
Students interested in internships should meet the following requirements:
Enrollment in a BS or MS degree program
Cumulative QPA 3.000 or above.
Undergraduate students must have completed 15 quarter hours in foundation degree courses. Graduate students must have completed 12 quarter hours in required courses. (Students may not be on academic probation or have an “incomplete” grade for any of their required prerequisites.)
Students who are currently employed cannot receive credit for work completed in an existing position.
Learn More
View opportunities and resources using the navigation bars to the left. If you are interested in participating, contact us for an appointment: Ellen Stoddard at e.stoddard@neu.edu/617.373.3122 or Cathy Evans ca.evans@neu.edu/617-373-6260.
