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ui
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http://www.careerservices.wayne.edu
Revised: January 2007
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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................5
Benefits of CooperativeEducation .........................................................6
To theStudent................................................................................ 6
To theEmployer ............................................................................7
To theUniversity ...........................................................................7
Program EducationalObjectives .............................................................7
Quality ImprovementProcess...8
Overview of Cooperative Education TrainingAssignments...10-15Objectives of a Cooperative Education Work
Assignment.....10
Length of TrainingAssignments ............................................. 11
Alternating ......................................................................11
Parallel .............................................................................12
Approval of TrainingAssignments ..........................................12
Continuity of TrainingAssignments ........................................13
Changes in TrainingAssignments ................... ........................13
Location of TrainingAssignments............................................ 14
Out-of-Town Housing and PersonalNeeds ............................14
Student-Employee Status While on TrainingAssignment.....14
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Compensation and FringeBenefits ...........................................15
Mechanics of the Cooperative EducationProgram ......................16-20
AcceptanceCriteria .....................................................................16
ApplicationProcess.................................................................... 17
Employers Evaluation and ExitInterviews ............................17
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ProgressInterview.......................................................................18
Cooperative Education Course
Registration........................... 18Course for Computer Science
Majors....................................... 19
Course for EngineeringMajors ................................................ 19
Course for Engineering TechnologyMajors ........................... 20
SpecialNeeds ..................................................................................... 20-21
Presidential ScholarsProgram.................................................. 20
FinancialAid ............................................................................... 21
DroppingClasses ........................................................................ 21
Summary ofResponsibilities............................................................22-24
Students ....................................................................................... 22
Employers.................................................................................... 23
CareerServices.................................................................... ....... 24
Conclusion ................................................................................................24
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Guide to Cooperative Education
INTRODUCTION
Wayne State Universitys Cooperative Education Program
provides students with comprehensive professional
preparation. Alternating semesters of full-time, paid work
experience and full-time class attendance or parallel
semesters of part-time, paid work experience and part-
time/full-time class attendance are available.
The program is a voluntary undergraduate program open toall students. However, the majority of the co-op work
assignments are from the following disciplines:
School of Business Administration
Accounting, Finance, Information Systems
and Manufacturing, Management, and Marketing
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Computer Technology, Electrical and Computer, Engineering
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology,
Electromechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial and
Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing/Industrial
Engineering Technology Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering Technology, Product Design Engineering
Technology
College of Fine, Performing and
Communication Arts
College of Liberal Arts and Science
College of Nursing
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College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
The cooperative education training assignments are in
business, industry, government, and private agencies and
organizations and are closely related to the students fields ofstudy or career goals. This guide describes the program and
explains how to successfully pursue its many advantages.
BENEFITS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
To the Student:
Practical application of classroom studies
Accumulation of related professional experience
Help in determining general and specific career goals
Improved prospects of career employment and higher
earnings potential upon graduation
Development of interpersonal skills and professional
growth
Earnings to help defray educational expenses
To the Employer:
An opportunity to utilize students to productively
contribute to either short- or long-term projects, thus offering
assistance to other employees
An opportunity to select and test talented professional
personnel in advance of a permanent commitment
An opportunity to preview prospective full-time
employees over an extended period with an expected
reduction in professional staff turnover
Combined recruiting and training at a large savings in
cost
An opportunity to enhance the companys image on
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campus through the cooperative education student
An opportunity to have input into the colleges
educational framework
To the University:
Feedback on current practices in the working
community
An opportunity for professional development of the
faculty through contact with practitioners in their fields
Valuable input into developing progressive,accountable academic programs
Enhanced relationships with employers and alumni
resulting in improved prospects for their financial and
personal involvement in the affairs of the University
PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
In order to complement their classroom learning in
preparation for their careers, students are encouraged to
gain exposure to real-life work experiences through a
sequence of cooperative education work assignments in
business, industry or government, which are related to theiracademic programs. Students are recruited through
classroom presentations, student organization contacts,
mailings, and phone calls. Each work assignment is
evaluated prior to the referral of students to an employer by
a co-op coordinator to ensure that the work experience,
professional supervision, responsibility progression, pay, etc.,
meet the programs standards. Employers are asked tosubmit job descriptions for co-op openings.
Through small group seminars focusing on cooperative
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education policies and procedures, resume writing skills and
interviewing techniques, followed by one-on-one counseling,
students receive information regarding specific career
opportunities related to their majors. Students are then
referred to available co-op openings that most closely matchtheir interests, abilities, and geographic preferences. Most
co-op assignments require at least two semesters of work.
However, accounting firms may request only one full-time
work semester.
The engineering co-op work assignments are intended to
give students exposure to and experience with the
competencies listed in the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) Engineering
Criteria.
Thus, the Cooperative Education Program is designed to
provide students with real-life experiences in preparation for
their careers. Related objectives include the continuous
improvement of co-op work assignments and the expansion
of co-op placement opportunities. The long-term goal is to
prepare students fully for a positive career match upon
graduation, allowing them to be successful in their chosen
field.
Quality Improvement Process
Students are evaluated during each work semester by their
employer supervisors. Students also complete evaluations
about their assignments. The student and school co-opcoordinator discuss both of these evaluations at the post
work semester Progress Interview. Evaluation forms measure
outcomes from the students work assignments. These forms
target both employers and students, including the
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Supervisors Evaluation of Cooperative Education Student
and Survey of Cooperative Education Student.
At the conclusion of each work term, the students co-op
coordinator reviews the evaluations to ascertain the level
of success achieved during that work term. The
coordinator uses this information during the one-on-one
Progress Interview when the student returns to school to
discuss future assignments. Specific questions concerning
upcoming assignments help the coordinator to determine ifthe employer is providing adequate progression toward
greater responsibility, which is commensurate with the
students interests and abilities. If concerns exist, the
coordinator will contact the employer coordinator to
explore alternative opportunities. Feedback is also
encouraged from students while they are at their worksites. Should any serious concerns arise while a student is
working, the co-op coordinator meets personally with the
student and employer to investigate the situation and
make recommendations for appropriate action.
Additionally, coordinators routinely visit students at their
work sites to determine whether or not the students work
assignments meet program requirements, adequate
supervision is taking place, management support of the
program is evident, future assignments are planned and
appropriately structured, and communication is open and
positive.
Thus, the school coordinator is able to evaluate, on a
continuing basis, the quality of a students work experiences.
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The Supervisors Evaluation of Cooperative Education
Student serves not only as a review of the students
performance, but also doubles as a means of monitoring the
employer by asking the supervisor to describe in de- tail the
nature of the students current work assignment, as well asthe specific training the student received during that time.
Both the Supervisors Evaluation of Cooperative Education
Student and Survey of College Cooperative Education
Studentalso serve as a means of evaluating the academic
program.
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Copies of both evaluations are maintained in student
portfolios in the co-op office and also in select academic
departments. A co-op staff member meets routinely with
the department chair to report evaluation formassessment outcomes. Areas of concern are identified
and addressed so that program improvements may be
made.
The Supervisors Evaluation of Cooperative Education
Studentand Survey of Cooperative Education Student
are the current tools used to assess student learning and
achievement.
Employers should demonstrate a solid commitment to
integrating the academic pursuits and practical work
experience of Wayne State co-op students through
strong administrative support, well-monitored, quality
work assignments; and a desire to remain up-to-date on
current co-op practices and strive for continuous
improvement of the program.
OVERVIEW OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS
Objectives of a Cooperative Education Work
Assignment
In order to achieve the specific goals of the Cooperative
Education Program, the University maintains that certain
conditions must be met. The most important of these is
that career and training objectives must come first and
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Alternating
Students alternate a semester of full-time class
attendance(minimum of 12 credit hours for undergraduate students;
8 credit hours for graduate students) with a semester of
full-time academically related work.
Note: F-1 Visa students working 21 hours or more per
week are considered to be working full-time, according
to OISS regulations.
Parallel
Students work part-time (minimum 15 hours, maximum
25 hours) and must carry a course load of at least 9
credit hours per semester for undergraduate students; 4
credit hours for graduate students. F-1 Visa Studentsworking 20 hours or less (part-time) must register for at
least 12 credits.
Note: Students receiving financial aid or scholarships
may be required to enroll full-time (12 credits) while
working 15-25 hours per week.
Approval of Training Assignments
The approval of a training assignment is solely the
responsibility of the students cooperative education
coordinator. All training assignments must be evaluated
and approved before students begin working. Training,
experience, or employment completed before a student
enters the program, or prior to enrollment as a full-time
student at Wayne State University, cannot be accepted
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toward fulfillment of the requirements of a training
assignment.
Note: F-1 Visa students must acquire work authorizationthrough OISS before starting an assignment.
Continuity of Training Assignments
Experience has shown that it is more advantageous for
students to progress within the same business, industry,
or government agency because of the increased
opportunities for them to receive more responsible
training which is commensurate with their increasedabilities and academic advancement.
The University requires that, under normal
circumstances, students remain with the same employer
throughout their training program. Once a student
accepts a position, the student is not allowed to acceptany other interviews. Therefore, it is important that the
student understand the position available before
accepting the training assignment. Employers are
reluctant to maintain a cooperative education training
program in which a frequent turnover of students results
in high recruiting costs, low productivity, and low
student retention after graduation.
Changes in Training Assignments
The University realizes that, at times, students have
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appropriate reasons for requesting a change in their
training assignments. However, students must complete
the entire work semester. Students requesting a change
in training assignment must first have an interview withtheir cooperative education coordinator. Students must
then give appropriate notice to their supervisor
indicating that they will not return for a second term. A
student who abandons a training assignment, or whose
conduct is such that it purposely causes discharge will
not be allowed to remain in the program.
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Location of Training Assignments
The final selection of training assignment locations will
be based upon a students personal career interests,
course of studies, individual capabilities, and the
availability of suitable assignments. Although the
majority of students are being trained in the greater
Metropolitan Detroit area and out-state Michigan,
training assignments are also available in other areas of
the country. Generally, students report out-of-town
training assignments to be both professionally and
personally rewarding.
Out-of-Town Housing and Personal Needs
While students are encouraged to gain valuable
experience by arranging their own housing and otherpersonal affairs to suit their own needs and financial
situations, University and employer coordinators are
always available for assistance.
Students should also make arrangements before they go
on assignment for registration and housing for the
following term.
Student-Employee Status While On TrainingAssignments
Students, while on training assignments, are consideredto be full-time students. Thus, they are representatives
of the University and must keep in mind theresponsibilities that such a position requires.
Students are also employees of the business, industry,
or government agency that is training them, and,
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Application Process
Eligible students should first attend a co-op
informational workshop. A list of current workshops is
available atwww.careerservices.wayne.eduand at
Career Services. After attending a workshop, eachstudent will schedule an individual appointment with the
appropriate co-op coordinator. The coordinator will
explore available opportunities with the student.
A student must be able to guarantee at least two terms
of work to an employer. Often an employer will require
three or four work terms.Once a student accepts a
cooperative education assignment, the student
must contact the WSU co-op coordinator
immediately to process the necessary paperwork.
Upon acceptance of an assignment, the student is
withdrawn from active consideration by any other
employer and is expected to remain with the chosen
employer through completion of the program.
Employers Evaluation and Exit Interviews
At the completion of each training assignment, a ratingof the students performance is obtained from the
immediate supervisor. Students are encouraged to havean interview with both their immediate supervisor andthe human resource representative before they leavetheir training assignment. During the interviews, theEmployers Evaluation of Cooperative Student should be
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discussed with the student in order to provide individualfeedback regarding performance and progress.Employers and students are encouraged to also discussthe value of the training assignments and trainingopportunities available on the next assignment. If it isthe last assignment, the availability of permanentopportunities should be explored.
Progress Interview
Students must meet with their coordinator by
appointment for a Progress Interview within the first
month of the following term. The purpose of the
interview is to review the students progress during the
assignment, to evaluate the assignment in terms of the
students career objectives, and to review or make plans
for any remaining assignments. Also, the Student
Evaluation Report of Cooperative Education Assignment
and Employers Evaluation of Cooperative Student are
discussed and used by the coordinator to provide
guidance and counseling for the student. Students who
do not complete the Progress Interview requirement will
be awarded an unsatisfactory grade for the Cooperative
Education Course.
Cooperative Education Course RegistrationAccounting ACC 4500
Finance FIN 4500
Information Systems and Manufacturing ISM 4500
Management MGT 4500Marketing MKT 4500Computer Science CSC 0995Engineering BE 3500Fine, Performing and Communication Arts ID 0995
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Liberal Arts and Sciences ID 0995Nursing ID 0995Pharmacy and Health Sciences ID 0995
This enrollment assures students that they are
considered full-time students at the University while
they are on their work assignments. There is no
academic credit granted. However, a grade of S/U
(Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) is assigned each work term.
To obtain a satisfactory grade, the student must
successfully complete the training assignment and
complete the requirements for the Progress Interview.
Please note that the Registration Office will not process
a co-op registration form if the student has a hold of any
sort, thus jeopardizing the co-op work assignment. All
holds must be released before a student may begin a
training assignment.
Academic credit is granted to students in Computer
Science, Engineering and Engineering Technology as
follows:
Course for Computer Science Majors
All undergraduate Computer Science majors, who are
placed through the Cooperative Education Program, are
required to enroll in CSC 4995 for one credit during the
semester following each work assignment (if on an
alternating basis) and every other term (if on a parallel
basis). This class entails a review of the students
practical experiences resulting from participation in the
Cooperative Education Program and a discussion of
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Presidential Scholars Program
Presidential Scholars on cooperative education training
assignments are entitled to receive their allotted
scholarship semesters as follows:
AlternatingStudents on alternating co-op work
assignments may fulfill their academic semester at alater date. Spring/Summer tuition will be provided only
when Spring/Summer becomes a school semester.
Those who choose to take a class while working must
pay for that class, including the registration fee.
ParallelStudents on the parallel schedule will have
courses funded consecutively (again for the remaining
number of semesters) as their work assignments
continue 15-25 hours per week each semester.
Note: Parallel co-ops must complete at least 24 credits
over Fall and Winter semesters each academic year in
order to maintain the scholarship.
All Presidential Scholar co-ops should consult the
regulations bulletin issued by the Presidential Scholars
Program regarding the above.
Financial Aid
It is the responsibility of students to meet with a
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credit hours.
Students are required to meet with their
cooperative education coordinator for a Progress
Interview within the first month of the following term.
Students are expected to return to the same
employer for all additional training assignments, unless
prior arrangements have been made with the
cooperative education coordinator and employer.
Students must confer with the college cooperative
education coordinator first on all matters pertaining to
adjustments in their employment assignment. Any
employment difficulty, lay-off, or serious
misunderstanding must be reported immediately to the
cooperative education coordinator.
Students must work the entire semester in order
to receive an S grade on WSU transcripts. Students who
abandon a training assignment will not be allowed to
remain in the program.
Employers
The employer is expected to notify the WSU co-opcoordinator of all new hires.
It is the responsibility of the employer to provide
professional, career-related training assignments that
increase in complexity and challenge, so that the
students can increase their skill base and become more
productive as they gain additional background.
Under normal circumstances, employers are
expected to employ students for at least sixteen weeks
(one semester) per training assignment.
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Parallel students (part-time) must work a
minimum of 15 hours but not more than 25 hours per
week.
Employers should not dismiss Wayne State
University cooperative education students before
notifying the cooperative education coordinator.
Supervisors of cooperative education students will
be expected to complete a performance evaluation each
work term. The University provides an evaluation form
for this purpose. However, the employer should feel free
to use the organizations own evaluation form if they so
choose. It is important that this evaluation be discussed
with the students, and the students signatures on the
evaluation are encouraged.
Employers should inform the cooperative
education coordinator of any concerns that they may
have regarding a student during the course of the
training assignment.
It is expected that students will be paid for the
work they perform, and that they should receive any
employee benefits to which they are entitled.
Employers are under no obligation to permanently
hire cooperative education students upon graduation,
and cooperative education students are not obligated to
accept permanent positions with their cooperative
education employer. However, both employers and
students should give serious consideration to exploration
of possible permanent employment.
Career Services
Career Services is responsible for the overall
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