formerly University of Missouri-Rolla
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Cooperative Education Program

 

The Missouri University of Science and Technology's Cooperative Education Program is designed to provide students an employment opportunity to gain practical degree-related, work experience prior to graduation. The program is set up so that students can take a break from studies and work full-time for one or for a combination of semesters such as spring/summer or summer/fall, allowing 8-9 months of work experience vs. the 3 summer months allowed for internship positions. Students may also obtain a parallel co-op job with local employers where they work and study on a part-time basis simultaneously. Approximately 100-150 employers hire Missouri S&T co-op students annually, and students apply for those positions through the traditional resume/interview job search process which is facilitated by the COC. The COC also works individually with students who wish to co-op with an employer who does not currently participate in the Missouri S&T co-op program.

Co-op Benefits

  • Gain future employment advantage
  • Earn a higher starting full-time salary
  • Validate your career plans
  • Option to earn academic credit
  • Network with professionals and other college students
  • Apply your textbook knowledge
  • Learn corporate recruiting strategies
  • Help finance college - the 2006-07 average monthly co-op salary was $2,596.00

Co-op Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the Co-op Program, a student must be full-time. Full-time is defined as satisfactorily carrying and passing a minimum of 12 credit hours (9 credit hours for graduate student) in a fall or spring semester.  A student must have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0 to apply to and participate in the program. The student must not be on any type of probation. Other eligibility requirements may be established by the sponsoring company with the concurrence of Missouri S&T. 

Freshmen:
After first two semesters
Transfer:
Immediately eligible

A transfer student who is participating in a co-op program through another institution may transfer and continue the co-op affiliation subject to Missouri S&T's guidelines.

Graduate (M.S./Ph.D):
After completing one semester
International:
After completing 9 months of studies, and with academic department approval. 

International Students are eligible to apply for up to 12 months of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) which allows them to accept internship or co-op positions prior to graduation.  CPT is approved and issued by the Missouri S&T International Affairs Office, and can be processed within one week.  Employers do not need to sponsor international students for co-op or internship employment

Co-op Schedule

Employers hire co-op students throughout the academic year.  Most commonly, employers prefer to recruit a student for combined semesters (summer/fall or spring/summer), and will then decide to make additional offers based on student performance and employer needs.  Other options are alternating multiple semesters of study with employment or by committing to multiple consecutive summer months.   However, this is a decision between the employer and student, and the schedule can be arranged as agreed on by the parties.  It is Missouri S&T policy that students are not away from their studies for a full academic year unless prior authorization is given by the academic department.

Summer (May - August)
Fall (August - December)
Spring (January - May)
Summer/Fall (May - December)
Spring/Summer (January - August)

Co-op Registration:  It's Quick and Simple!

Once a student receives a written offer letter for a co-op job, each co-op term (summer, fall, spring) needs to be registered with the university.  To register, students should bring a copy of their offer letter to the COC and complete a set of forms.  This will ensure the student is recorded as a full-time student with the Missouri S&T Registrars Office and maintain their student status while working away from campus.  The COC will also communicate pre-registration information to working co-ops to ensure their return to campus is smooth and convenient.  For students wishing to earn *credit, all co-op terms must be registered. 

Co-op Fee

When registering a co-op, a co-op fee is applied per term.  The fee is equivalent to the educational fee of one, in-state credit hour (regardless of residency).  The fee does not apply academic credit to a students transcript, but is calculated based on university fees.  Click here to view the current fee rate.

*Apply for Credit

Earning degree credit for co-op is optional to students, and is at the discretion of the academic department.  Credit options should be discussed between the student and academic advisor prior to co-op registration with the COC.

Salary, Housing, and Travel

Salaries and wages vary from one employer to another, as do the *travel and housing benefits extended to co-op students. Wages may be established based on student progress toward a degree (class level), GPA, and accrued work experience. Missouri S&T does not set pay rates for any participating company or agency, but does publish average monthly co-op salaries based on Missouri S&T student reports for reference.

Temporary Co-op Housing Opportunities

Salary Chart

Top Co-op Employers

*Housing or referrals are usually provided by the employers and many employers reimburse students for travel to and from co-op assignments.