Cooperative Education
Wilmington University’s Community and Academic Partnerships (CAP) and Cooperative Education (Co-op) program is an academic experience that allows students to connect academic knowledge with the business and professional world. The CAP/Co-op program expands learning experiences through relevant employment in a supervised, educational work setting related to the student’s major field of study or career focus.
A CAP/Co-op program experience is a multi-semester program (2 minimum, with a maximum of 4, ideally consecutive) with in-state and out-of-state opportunities. Co-op experiences are individually designed, and are typically at least two semesters with the same employer to maximize the opportunity for advanced application of the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.
Co-op experiences are available in a part-time or full-time capacity. Students have the opportunity to complete 10-15 hours of work experience per week resulting in approximately 400-600 total hours and may include additional faculty assigned work. Students are also able to obtain full-time Co-op positions, providing the opportunity to complete 35-40 hours of work experience per week.
Co-op experiences are cultivated by both the Wilmington University Office of Cooperative Education and students. Opportunities developed by students need approval from the Office of Cooperative Education before credit can be awarded. An approved Co-op experience may substitute for a required internship in a student’s major.
To be eligible for the CAP/Co-op program students must have the following: a declared major and be working toward a degree, completed a minimum of 60 credits applicable to their degree program, and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average. In addition, students must inform the Office of Cooperative Education and their Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment. CAP/Co-op course enrollment is required for credit to be awarded for the experience. Tuition and fees are the same as standard course tuition.
Students who are interested in gaining real world experience by participating in a Co-op should contact the Office of Cooperative Education