Cooperative Education (Co-op)
Cooperative Education is an educational strategy that provides a well-balanced combination of college study and periods of hands-on experience in a work setting related to the student's major and/or career goals.
West Georgia offers two types of co-op work schedules: alternating and parallel. Students participating in the Parallel Program work 20-25 hours weekly each semester while attending classes. The Alternating Program provides full time work during alternating semesters.
Cooperative Education provides many benefits for students, including practical work experience, clarification of educational and professional goals, valuable contacts in the employment market, and help in defraying college expenses through salaries earned from co-op jobs.
While on work assignment, co-ops are regarded as full-time students and participate in student activities and utilize the campus health services through payment of appropriate fees, if they desire. Matriculation fees are paid during the work semester only if the student receives academic credit for the co-op work assignment. Students wishing to explore the possibility of credit for the learning which takes place while co-oping should contact their major department to determine departmental policy regarding this aspect of co-op.
Applicants should have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, and new university students must attend West Georgia for at least two semesters (transfer students, one semester) before starting a co-op work assignment. Students are encouraged to make inquiries prior to their actually qualifying for co-op in order to begin the application process.
Students interested in Cooperative Education should seek information on this program from the Professional Practice Office in Parker Hall,3rd floor or telephone 678-839-6631. The office's Website is located at http://careerweb.westga.edu.
