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Course & Subject Guides

Experiential Learning and Professional Engagement (ELPE) - Pittsburgh Campus

This guide is designed to provide career-building resources for students in the Co-operative Education Program at the Swanson School.

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Welcome! This guide provides information about the Co-op Program at the Swanson School of Engineering.

So, just what IS the co-op? Cooperative Education is the rotation between school and full-time work assignments that relate directly to your engineering, chemistry, or computer science discipline. The program enables you to complement classroom studies with practical experience, technical knowledge, and financial reward.

Overview

  • Students typically alternate between full-time work and full-time school.
     
  • Students earn one credit for each term worked; upon completion of terms, credits can be used towards departmental graduation requirements.
     
  • Students usually remain with the same employer while participating in co-op. It is possible and not difficult to change companies, but our philosophy is that by staying with the same company, you will receive more in-depth and challenging assignments.
     
  • Our positions are with employers who are local, national and international.
     
  •  Students who complete the co-op requirements receive certification on their transcript.
     
  • Transfer students can participate in co-op.
     
  • The one credit co-op course keeps you enrolled with a full-time status.
     
  • Students do not pay tuition while on a co-op assignment, but a modest fee.
     
  • Financial aid and scholarships are received during the school terms only.
     
  •  Participation in co-op will most likely not affect your participation in a study abroad program or other student activities.

         **These deadlines are established with the student's best interests in mind. It is still possible for a student to apply after the deadline, however, the student will have missed out on opportunities.