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 |
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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 |