A CoOp (cooperative education program) is a six-month, full-time work experience, sufficiently rigorous so that students earn academic credit for participation. Below you will find all the information you need to participate in—and earn credit for—an academic CoOp.

Prerequisites

To participate in an academic CoOp, a student must have:
 
• full-time, undergraduate student status in the Villanova School of Business or business minor program
• junior standing during CoOp participation
• a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
• completed prerequisite coursework specific to each program

General Guidelines

Please review the following general guidelines regarding academic credit for CoOps. Click here to download a printable version of the Academic CoOp Guidelines.

• Time commitment: The CoOp work experience is a full-time, six-month paid assignment. Fall semester assignments run from July through December; spring semester assignments run from January through June.

• Credits earned: Students may earn six (6) free elective credits for successful completion of an academic CoOp. Note: A CoOp course fulfills free elective credit requirements only and does not fulfill major or minor credit requirements.

• Maximum number of credits: The maximum number of CoOp credits that can be used to fulfill graduation requirements is six (6).

• Credit approval: Eligibility to participate in the CoOp program must be determined and course registration completed before the CoOp commences. No academic credit will be awarded for a CoOp retroactively.

• Grading: CoOps are graded on a satisfactory (S)/unsatisfactory (U) basis. A satisfactory grade is required to receive credit.

• Student status: Students participating in a CoOp maintain full-time student status, thus continuing eligibility for insurance coverage, scholarships, and campus housing.
 
• Graduation track: CoOp students remain on track to graduate in four years by completing coursework (missed while working in the CoOp) before, during, and after the CoOp assignment.

Registration Process

To participate in a VSB CoOp for academic credit, follow these steps:

1. Attend CoOp information session and/or review appropriate CoOp program brochure

2. Meet with the VSB internship/CoOp coordinator (Clay Center, Bartley 1054)
    a. Discuss curriculum planning and eligibility status
    b. Discuss academic requirements
    c. Review recruiting process
    d. Complete student CoOp Application/Agreement form

3. Meet with a Career Counselor (Career Services, Corr 106)
    a. Prepare and refine resume
    b. Establish a GoNOVA account (Career Services' web-based recruiting system, formerly known
        as eRecruiting/Experience):
        1. Complete profile (i.e., personal info, academic info, career preferences, and continued
            academics sections)
        2. Upload resume(s) and post to resume book(s)
    c. Participate in Career Services' practice interview program

4. Apply and interview
    a. Submit resume for specific CoOp program via GoNOVA
    b. Participate in on-campus interview

5. Meet with VSB internship/CoOp coordinator after accepting CoOp position
    a. Supply supervisor contact information for accepted CoOp placement
    b. Review academic requirements and timeline for completion
    c. Sign Student CoOp Application/Agreement
    d. Complete registration for appropriate CoOp course and concurrent evening course during
        university registration period

6. Contact Financial Assistance and Residence Life offices, if appropriate.

CoOp Registration Deadlines

Course registration deadlines for CoOps:

Course Requirements

Students participating in a VSB CoOp for academic credit must complete the following requirements. Click here to download a printable version of the Academic CoOp Course Requirements

• Initial meeting: Prior to the start of the experience, students must meet with Julie Freedman, VSB’s internship/CoOp coordinator, to review requirements and sign a CoOp agreement form.
 
• Learning Objectives form: CoOps will establish, in conjunction with their supervisors, three to four learning objectives to focus the CoOp experience. The form must be completed, initialed (by student and company supervisor), and forwarded to the Clay Center within the first two weeks of the CoOp. Download the Learning Objectives form.

• Daily Activity Log: CoOps must maintain a Daily Activity Log to record dates worked; number of hours completed; the nature of projects, tasks, and responsibilities; and the relationship of activities to the established Learning Objectives. The log must be initialed by the supervisor once a week. Download the Daily Activity Log.

• Final Paper: CoOps are required to complete a 10–12 page final paper documenting:
    o nature of the CoOp work (projects, assignments, responsibilities)
    o process of meeting Learning Objectives
    o relationship of CoOp experience to past and/or future academic coursework
    o insights gained in regard to industry, profession, leadership styles, etc.
    o possible professional opportunities and impact on student’s career interests

Note: CoOp must include his/her name, phone number, name of company, and CoOp title on a cover sheet. Appendices may be attached that are outputs of completed work.

• Evaluation: CoOp will complete a Student Evaluation form to help determine the effectiveness of the CoOp experience, including assessment of work load, quality of supervision, professional development, and the overall quality of the CoOp experience. Download the Evaluation form.

Submission Deadlines

The completed Learning Objectives form is due to the Clay Center within the first two weeks of the CoOp. Due dates for submitting Daily Activity Log, final paper (and supporting documents) and Student Evaluation are: