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WHAT
IS COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AT CONCORDIA? A GUIDE FOR FACULTY
What is Cooperative Education at Concordia?At Concordia, Cooperative Education is defined as an elective career-related work experience undertaken for academic credit. The program is based on partnerships between the college, its students, and the business community, including government and nonprofit organizations. We use the words "cooperative" to emphasize these partnerships and "education" to stress the importance of the academic requirements-on par with other course choices in the college catalog. Concordia's Cooperative Education program simultaneously offers on-the-job training, academic credit and the possibility of a salary. It provides valuable training and a laboratory in which to test classroom knowledge and one's aptitude in a particular career. Participating students receive upper-level college credit toward their degrees. College faculty members mentor and evaluate Cooperative Education students, and on-site employers provide supervision. Advantages Associated with Being a Faculty CoordinatorStudents exploring career options are often undecided about their future careers, and seek to "try out" their knowledge and skills in a particular work environment. Cooperative Education gives faculty members a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with students interested in gaining career-related work experience. Faculty members have the chance to significantly influence the direction a student takes as well as gaining a better understanding of current employment realities for students and alumni.
While some of the benefits for faculty are the intrinsic rewards that accompany serving students and networking with employers, compensation is available to defray expenses for on-site visits (lodging, meals, parking and mileage). During spring and fall semesters, faculty coordinators voluntarily participate as part of their teaching duties. Faculty members participating in the summer receive stipends for each student and/or each on-site visit. The summer stipend is based on the number of students, completion of Learning Agreements, and the length and distance of the on-site visits. Check with the Cooperative Education Office for more detailed information. What is Expected of Students?Students interested in Cooperative Education should apply in advance of the term in which they wish to enroll for credit. The process begins by registering with the Career Center and completing other paperwork as needed. (Instructions for completing registration may be obtained from the Cooperative Education office.) Positions accepted through Cooperative Education require registration for appropriate academic credit.
Applicants must agree to respond to employer inquiries and offers in a professional and timely manner. Applicants will also inform the program staff of any contacts made by prospective employers, interviews arranged, positions accepted or declined, or changes in application status. Students are encouraged to contact the Cooperative Education office if they suspect they have experienced or observed any illegal or inappropriate behavior (such as sexual harassment) during interviews or while employed. Faculty are also encouraged to let our office know if a student appears to be at risk even if the student fails to inform us. Employers' work and holiday schedules take precedence over school holidays and weekends. When conflict arises, it is the responsibility of the student to negotiate a satisfactory solution. Contacting the Cooperative Education OfficeStudents are encouraged to first meet with their academic advisors to determine how a Cooperative Education experience might fit into their current academic plans. Prior to visiting with a Cooperative Education staff member, students should consider when to participate in the Cooperative Education program, the department from which they desire credit, their preference for Faculty Coordinator, and the appropriate level of credit. Because of the flexibility of the Cooperative Education program, it is up to the student and his/her advisor to determine when Cooperative Education credit is most appropriate for completion of major/minor/degree requirements.
Once a student has consulted with an academic advisor, an appointment should be made with a Cooperative Education staff member. We will fully explain the program, the credit requirements, the role of the Faculty Coordinator, how to secure a position, registration, Learning Agreements, and assessments. Securing PositionsStudents may secure positions anywhere in the United States or in other countries. The experience (paid or voluntary) should be in the student's major, minor or a career-related area, and be of a professional or paraprofessional nature. Ordinarily, routine jobs do not qualify for academic credit, nor can students earn credit for work in which they already have experience, or for work already completed.
Searching for a Cooperative Education position is a developmental process. Therefore, the Career Center assists students by listing opportunities and referring students to potential employers, but ordinarily the Center does not "place" or secure employment for students. Students are required to apply and interview for positions of interest. Examples of typical Cooperative Education experiences are published in our newsletter, The Courier. Current openings that our office receives are posted on our website and on bulletin boards outside our offices. Please notify us of opportunities you would like posted on our site. The Career Center Resource Room in Academy 101 has a good selection of current internship guides, corporate information, and career development literature for a wide range of career interests in all majors/minors offered by Concordia. Eligibility Requirements for StudentsStudents must be in good academic standing with the college (not on academic probation). Students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher. Some employers have additional and/or higher requirements that must be met by applicants. Students must have completed their sophomore year (students holding 14 or more courses and at least 28 grade points). Exceptions may be made for students who have completed at least 12 courses and/or who have approval from and/or met the minimum requirements established by departments from which they are applying for the credit.
Students must be able to locate a work experience compatible with their abilities and interests and obtain approval from the Cooperative Education Office of the Career Center, the academic department, and a Faculty Coordinator.
International students may participate in an off-campus experience if they are registered for academic credit through Cooperative Education or another practicum course number. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) considers Cooperative Education a form of "curricular practical training.” If a student has held an F-1 visa for one academic year (nine months), he/she may participate in the Cooperative Education program after a position has been secured and a designated school official (DSO) endorses their I-20 form.F-1 students are allowed to work full-time during school holidays and breaks (including summer) and up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. The Role of the Faculty CoordinatorThe Faculty Coordinator and/or academic department must fully approve of the student's site selection and job description in relation to the amount of credit for which they are applying. A Learning Agreement must be completed by the student and Faculty Coordinator and returned to the Cooperative Education office no later than three weeks after employment has begun. Faculty Coordinators are asked to stay in contact with the student throughout the semester. One of the most important responsibilities of the Faculty Coordinator is helping students process new experiences and challenging situations as they relate to working environments.
If at all possible, Faculty Coordinators should conduct at least one on-site visit. Please notify the Cooperative Education office if you will be unable to make this visit or if your student is working at a great distance from campus. An alternative might be a telephone "visit", especially if the student is working a great distance from the F/M area. Reasonable expenses associated with site visits will be reimbursed by the Cooperative Education program up to a 300-mile radius of our campus. Special arrangements may be made for visits beyond that limit. Please contact the Cooperative Education office for more information.
Several formal assessments take place throughout the experience. Students are required to complete a preliminary and final assessment. Employers are also asked to complete a preliminary and final assessment of the student's work. Copies of these assessments are sent to the Faculty Coordinator. Assessments, the final academic project, and satisfactory completion of the objectives stated in the Learning Agreement, determine the student's final letter grade. The Learning AgreementThe Learning Agreement (LA) specifically outlines the learning objectives for the student as well as the evaluation procedures. The LA should be very detailed to prevent any misunderstanding about what is required at the end of the term. It is from this agreement that a student will receive a final letter grade. The LA must be signed by the student and Faculty Coordinator and returned to the Cooperative Education office no later than THREE WEEKS after employment begins. Copies of the LA are forwarded to the student, Faculty Coordinator, and on-site supervisor.
Learning objectives must have measurable outcomes. In addition to the assessment forms completed by the on-site supervisor and the student, consider what kind of evidence students can present to show that each objective has been met. Quantify as much as possible (i.e., 5 three-page case studies, a website of 25 frames with 5 links and 3 animations, etc). Help us avoid conflicts over differing expectations at the end of the term. Time guidelines should also be negotiated and entered on the form before signing the Learning Agreement. For a copy of the LA, click here. Academic ProjectsIn addition to the work experience, the Faculty Coordinator and the Cooperative Education student should discuss an appropriate final project. The length and complexity of the project is typically detailed on the Learning Agreement, and determined by the amount of credit associated with work-related learning, the students' skill, knowledge, and maturity, as well as the nature of the experience.
Encourage students to think about the types of tangible "evidence" they may create during the course of their experience that serve as best examples of the work they are doing, and the skills and understanding they are gaining. We encourage you to require active documents like, portfolios, journals, or other appropriate creative projects. However, traditional research projects, compare/contrast or reflective papers may also be appropriate in certain situations. Quantify the academic project as much as possible (for example: three writing samples, a 20-photo portfolio, seven 3-page case studies) to avoid conflicts in expectations by either at the end of the term. A copy of the complete learning agreement is sent to the student's site supervisor for them to verify that the terms are acceptable and possible, given the work environment, resources, and student's responsibilities. Final GradesStudents receive a letter grade for Cooperative Education like for most other courses. Occasionally, a student's Cooperative Education experience may extend beyond the end of the term for which he or she registered. In this case, Faculty Coordinators may designate an "IP" (in progress) status and avoid having to file an Incomplete Contract Form with the Registrar. This most commonly occurs during the shortened summer term. "IP" status may then be changed to an appropriate letter grade upon completion of the experience and assessment of the student's academic project.
An "I" should be given if the actual work experience is complete but the student has not completed all of the course requirements due to serious and prolonged illness or other unavoidable emergencies. According to the Catalog, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Faculty Coordinator and initiate the grade of "I" and the makeup work. If justified, an "I" grade is accepted in the Office of the Registrar on an Incomplete Contract form (available to instructors on the web).
Faculty Coordinators may also elect to award an "F" (failing) grade based upon the student's academic performance, including employer's assessment. A grade of "F" means that a student must repeat the Cooperative Education in order to receive credit. Credit RequirementsStudents can elect a minimum of one-half course credits or more. A maximum of two course credits in Cooperative Education can be contributed toward the 31.5 course credits required for graduation. The amount of credit allowed by departments for completing particular majors/minors does vary. Students must submit an Appeal of Academic Regulation form for exceptions to credit allowances published in the Record. Credit is earned during the semester in which the work is performed and prevailing tuition fees are charged. Credit is also determined by amount of time spent on the job, the nature of the work and the academic project.
Minimum hours of employment for credit in Cooperative Education are 90 hours for 0.5 course, 180 hours for 1.0 course, 270 hours for 1.5 courses and 360 hours for 2.0 courses. Students may work hours beyond the stated minimum without having to increase credit levels. The course number for Cooperative Education in all departments is 390 and it is considered senior-level credit.
Students may count one course in Cooperative Education beyond the typical 10-course credit requirement for 8-course majors, according to degree requirements published in the Catalog. Academic Advisor/Faculty Coordinator Checklist
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