Director: Carol M. Rutgers: Martin 211, 732-932-3000, ext. 523 (rutgers@cook.rutgers.edu)
The cooperative education program at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences 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.
All students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences who are in good academic standing 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 the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, 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 semester of co-op employment after the summer of their junior year must secure curricular approval or, in some cases, approval of the school's Scholastic Standing Committee. A student whose first semester of co-op employment occurs in the second semester of the senior year must commit to continuing a second semester of cooperative education, thereby delaying graduation. Students also must be registered for at least 6 credits in the semester 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 Hall Room 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." Each student is 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 semester).
Cooperative education is one way of fulfilling the school's 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:
