Cooperative Work
Experience Education
FAQ's
about Co-Op Ed.
Employers:
Co-Op/Work
Experience is a program designed to help employees work with
their supervisor and college instructor. It covers the development
of objectives based on a training program for the employees'
work related self improvement in a structured objective-based program.
If you would like to set up an employee development program for your
employees, please contact us at 925 439 2181 ext 3331. |
What is Cooperative Work Experience Education?
Cooperative Work Experience Education, or Co-Op Ed, as it is variously called, is an academic program that is designed to accelerate the career growth of students by combining classroom learning with work experience – employment, or volunteer work. Students may be eligible for (1) COOP-160, General Work Experience, or (2) COOP-170, Occupational Work Experience, or (3) COOP-170A, Occupational Work Experience Internship.
Each course requires that an agreement be established between the college, the employer and the student to jointly develop work-based learning objectives and to use various mechanisms to evaluate learning outcomes and facilitate the exchange of relevant professional information between all three parties. Co-Op students do not attend weekly classes. In addition to undertaking new learning objectives at work, they complete personally relevant, self-directed, career development assignments according to their individual needs and schedule.
What
qualifies as college-credit eligible learning?
Only
worksite learning that is new, substantive and measurable can earn
college credit. Your worksite objectives must be attainable by the
close of the semester, and involve methods that are clear and concrete.
Also, your job must be monitorable and regularly supervised. Self-employment,
irregular temp agency work, unlicensed or casual businesses, late shift
work, or remote worksite locations -- would not qualify for participation.
How
much college credit can I earn?
Occupational Work Experience and Intership students (COOP-170 & 170A) may earn from one to eight units per semester, to a maximum
of sixteen units. General Work Experience (COOP-160) students may earn from one to six units
per semester, to a maximum of sixteen units. The number of units earned is
partly determined by the number of hours a student works on the job
or volunteers during the semester. One unit of credit will be earned for 75 hours
worked on a paid job or per 60 hours of volunteer work.
Why
enroll in the Cooperative Work Experience Program?
The
college credits students earn for their job through Co-Op participation
gives recognition to the learning that occurs in the workplace. Co-Op
also serves to enhance the communication between the student and worksite
supervisor, helping to clarify on-the-job goals or objectives. Academic
credit earned through Co-Op can be used to satisfy elective units requirements
towards a certificate, AA Degree or CSU System transfer. (See
your counselor for further information).
How
do I begin?
Students desiring participation in the Cooperation Education program must attend an orientation and complete an application. Click the link below to sign up for a Co-Op orientation. Students with prior Co-Op participation are only required to submit an application. Orientations are held and applications are accepted till Friday, August 27, 2010.
Will
I receive a grade?
Cooperative Work Experience students, General, Occupational or Internship, are given End-Of-Term Evaluations which serve
as the basis for their grade.
What
if I lose or resign my position?
Participants
who stop working prior to the close of the semester of participation
should immediately contact both the LMC Employment Center and their
CO-OP instructor.
For
further information, contact the LMC Employment Center,
(925) 439-2181
X 3331
