Start a Co-op Program

The process for establishing a co-op program with the Missouri University of Science and Technology is very simple.   We ask that you review our co-op guidelines.  The recruiting process for co-op students is the same as for full-time students by contacting a COC recruiting assistant, and utilizing our electronic posting and/or resume referral service -- Interviewtrak.   We also work closely with employers to help identify other campus recruiting opportunities and/or campus awareness events as needed.

Employer Co-op Guidelines

To help promote the most productive relationships between all constituents, the COC has developed these guidelines-describing the basic responsibilities of the co-op employer.

• The employer agrees to inform the co-op office of a student’s work arrangements.  These include hiring, discharge, evaluations, changes in schedule, etc.
• The work provided to and expected from co-op students must be relevant to their academic programs, paid, increasing in complexity and/or breadth as each student progresses through successive work terms.
• The employer will submit an evaluation of student performance to the Co-op office at the end of each work period, based on learning objectives established by student and supervisor at the beginning of each work term.  Supervisors should discuss with the student their evaluation.
• The University acts in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations regarding provisions of equal opportunity in employment and education.  Missouri S&T prohibits and will act to eliminate discrimination and segregation on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, handicap or disability, or sexual orientation.
• The employer will not hinder the academic progress of the students.
• The employer will allow occasional on-site evaluation visits by the Missouri S&T Cooperative Education staff for purpose of verifying the student’s progress and success.
• The University also holds the employer responsible for providing a safe workplace that complies with all federal, state and municipal standards.
• For international students, the employer must strictly adhere to the starting and ending dates of employment as authorized on the student’s I-20 form.
• Start and end dates of work terms must follow academic semesters. 

Co-op Schedule

Employers may choose to 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 a 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)

Student Eligibility 

*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.

Forms & Statistics

• Student evaluation form

• Average Monthly Co-op Salary

• Top Hiring Co-op Employers
  

 Heather Romine
Assistant Director, Cooperative Education
Phone: 573.341.4301 / Fax: 573.341.4253
romine@mst.edu