Director: Carol M. Rutgers: Martin 211, 932-3000, ext. 523 (rutgers@cook.rutgers.edu)
The cooperative education program at Cook College is an academic
program designed to supplement campus-based studies through the
practical application of theory in full- and part-time field
experiences related to students' majors or career interests. This
blending of formal study and supervised employment in areas relevant to
the educational and professional goals of the student is subject to the
same advice and approval by appropriate members of the faculty as is
the student's choice of programs and courses.
Cook College
students in good academic standing from all curricula may enter the
program upon completion of 24 credits. Nonmatriculated, part-time,
readmitted, and transfer students who are in good academic standing
after completing at least 24 credits, 12 of which must be taken at Cook
College, also are eligible. Transfers from within the university are
eligible immediately if they have completed the first year and are in
good academic standing. Students who fail to maintain good academic
standing are declared ineligible.
Students seeking their first
term of co-op employment after the summer of their junior year must
secure curricular approval or, in some cases, approval of the
Scholastic Standing Committee. A student whose first term of co-op
employment occurs in the second term of the senior year must commit to
continuing a second term of cooperative education, thereby delaying
graduation. Students also must be registered for at least 6 credits in
the term prior to cooperative education employment.
It is
recommended that students begin their involvement in cooperative
education by registering for the 1-credit course 11:015:270
Professional Practices/Introduction to Cooperative Education. This is a
self-paced course that follows a video instruction format and prepares
the registrant for future employment. Registration for the course is by
permission, through the cooperative education director (Martin 211).
Cooperative education typically provides experiences that are relevant
to students' career interests and salaries that are commensurate with
the position held. However, the emphasis is on the learning experience
provided by the job rather than on preparation for a specific job upon
graduation or on any single economic factor.
A maximum of 15
credits earned through cooperative education may be applied toward
graduation. Credits earned are for the educational benefits of the
experience, not for "having a job." Students are required to establish
an individualized learning contract under the direction of a faculty
sponsor. This memorandum of understanding outlines the student's
objectives and scholarly responsibilities, the work plan, the plan for
evaluation, and the number of credits to be earned (3 or 6 credits per
term).
Cooperative education is one way of fulfilling the Cook
College experience-based education requirement. Credit is awarded on a
standard letter grade or Pass/No Credit basis. Subject to the approval
of the student's faculty adviser and the curriculum coordinator, up to
6 credits earned through a given cooperative education experience may
be used to satisfy option electives in the student`s program of study.
Kappa Theta Epsilon, founded in 1957, is the national cooperative
education honor society. Outstanding cooperative education students are
invited to join the society in order to promote distinguished
scholarship, industrial ability, integrity, breadth of interest, and
adaptability.
Students must apply for admission to the program
through the office of the director of cooperative education. Subject to
the approval of the director and the student's faculty sponsor, the
student registers for cooperative education as follows:
