Yes, you may enroll for a co-op class using your current job. If your job is major-related, you may enroll for CPED 1010—Cooperative Education I. CPED 1010 is a 3-credit hour course that requires that you work or volunteer 150 hours/semester in a job related to your major (on average 10 hours/week). You will develop four learning objectives/projects with your employer that will increase your skills and expertise in your career field. A 2-credit hour version is also available requiring only 100 hours/semester (CPED 2100). Students develop four learning objectives with their employer focusing on transitional work skills (skills that are utilized in all job settings) and complete a resume portfolio.

The CSCC Cooperative Education Office works with the academic advisor to ensure the student is ready to co-op and then to assist the student in identifying a placement. Most co-op placements are volunteer situations, but depending on the major and the student’s expertise, some placements may be paid positions. Additionally, students may contact the college’s Counseling & Career Services office to explore paid positions that they can utilize for their co-op placement. To start the process, contact the cooperative education office.

While a paid placement is ideal and some placements may be paid, there are some fields in which it is unrealistic to expect to be paid without obtaining the skills first. In those fields, it is to the student’s benefit to be willing to volunteer for their co-op placement. In return, students will gain on-the-job experience and skills that they can highlight in their resume, qualifying them for a future paid position. They are also developing future references in their career field by building relationships with their site supervisor, the co-op director, and other professionals they will meet in the course of performing their co-op projects. In some cases, the volunteer experience works into a stipend or paid position.

Students attend a beginning of the semester orientation to learn how to access their syllabus, assignments, and class materials. Students use a co-op packet to document their co-op experience. This linked packet contains a contract that the site supervisor will complete—agreeing to supervise your co-op, giving you an opportunity to learn new skills, and evaluating you at the end of your experience. You will also record four learning objectives (projects, training, new skills, certifications, job shadowing, etc.) that you will work to complete during your co-op. In other words, the purpose is to learn new skills in your career field (major-related co-op) or transitional skills, in addition to the usual duties of the job. You will record your work hours to document that you completed the required hours in the placement. During your work hours, you will focus on learning and improving your work skills as outlined in your four objectives. Students will also complete a resume portfolio and reflection paper as part of the course. Workshops and course notes are provided to assist students with these assignments.

Learning objectives in the major-related co-op will be in-depth with the students striving to acquire hands-on experience and skills in their career field. These objectives might include knowledge/skill development, specific projects, job shadowing, training, task forces, or problem-solving assignments. New learning objectives are developed for each semester of major-related co-op. These objectives will be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. 

All co-op students are required to attend an orientation at the start of the semester to receive their syllabus and course assignments. You will then meet with the instructor during the semester to develop and fine-tune your resume and discuss your learning objectives as needed. The co-op instructor maintains office hours at the Athens and Cleveland CSCC sites. 

Yes, CPED 1011 and CPED 1012 are one-credit hour courses that provide students with valuable career guidance without the work placement requirement. CPED 1011 Job Search Skills guides students through the development of a resume, job interview, and job search methods. CPED 1012 Soft Skills in the Workplace stresses important soft skills and the importance of work ethics. Like other co-op courses, CPED 1011 and 1012 are available in independent study format with the student meeting with the instructor occasionally throughout the semester during the instructor’s office hours/as needed.

Students should not sign up for a co-op class requiring the 150 hour work assignment without already having the job or volunteer placement secured because the work requirement is a critical component of the class. While every effort will be made to help students locate a placement, students should not sign up for co-op without a placement identified. As mentioned earlier, CPED 1011 and 1012 do not include a placement requirement and would be good courses for students who are not currently working or volunteering.

Several degree programs at the college require a co-op course and a specific course is built into the curriculum for that major. For other students, cooperative education courses are electives and can be applied to the total hours for graduation from Cleveland State. Students should check with their senior institution to determine how co-op courses will transfer into that institution. Students should also check with the Financial Aid department in terms of how the elective course may effect the student's aid.

Cooperative education programs have been in existence at most colleges and universities for many years and employers recognize this experience as valuable hands-on training in your field. Often, it is the student’s cooperative education experience that gives the student the edge in the hiring process. Cooperative education is the perfect complement to your academic studies, preparing you with the skills and knowledge for your future career. It is a very important experience to add to your resume. Additionally, it provides students with the opportunity to develop references in their career field. Courses are offered in an independent study format so they are convenient elective courses for students who have many obligations including family, work and college. 

If you have a job or volunteer placement that will provide you with the opportunity to complete a 150 hour/semester work requirement, sign up for CPED 1010. Students who are looking for shorter-term placements should consider CPED 2100. If you do not have a placement, contact the cooperative education office to schedule an appointment prior to signing up for the course.

The one-credit hour courses, CPED 1011 & 1012, do not require a work or volunteer placement. Students can sign up for these courses without prior arrangements with the co-op office. Once signing up for any CPED course, students should attend a required co-op Orientation at the beginning of the semester. Keep an eye our your campus email the week prior to classes starting for an Orientation invitation from the Cooperative Education instructor.See the Orientation tab of the co-op web page for a listing of cooperative education Orientation (days/times/locations).