CO-OP vs Internship
Cooperative Education | Internship | |
Goal | To provide students with practical experience related to their major that will enhance and complement their classroom learning | To provide students with practical experience related to their major that will enhance and complement their classroom learning |
Number of Semesters | Two or three semesters of full time work alternating with semesters in school or two or more consecutive semesters of work on a part-time basis | One semester, either full-time or part-time |
Year in School | Usually start during late sophomore or early junior year, but can begin as early as freshman year | Usually participate during late junior or early senior year, but can begin as early as freshman year |
Work |
Student assignments often increase in difficulty and responsibility as the student progresses through their college education and the student may work in different functional areas | Students will work in the same position at the same level of difficulty throughout their work assignment |
Training | More training provided by employer than an internship | Less training provided by employer than cooperative education |
Pay | All positions are paid | Some positions are paid, others are volunteer, or unpaid |
Academic Credit | Students receive a transcript notation for zero credit hours that maintains their status as a full-time student | Students may or may not receive credit from their academic department |
Post-Graduation Opportunities | Students frequently start at higher salaries and higher levels of responsibility than interns | Students have an edge over students without experiential education |
Work Assignment Supervision | Students are supervised and evaluated at the work site by the employer | Students are supervised and evaluated at the work site by the employer |