Student FAQ

Register your co-op by completing the Co-op Registration Application.

No. The co-op office cannot grant retroactive credit for a co-op that was not registered. The reason for this is that the co-op is a credit bearing course that requires a two-step approval process by both the co-op office and your school director, who are verifying that the co-op meets the minimum co-op requirements. In addition, students are assigned a faculty representative who completes a site visit (reviewing the work you are doing during a meeting with you and your supervisor) and grades the co-op course assignments. The student’s immediate supervisor also completes a mid-term and final evaluation, reporting on the students overall work performance.  Course credit is earned through successfully meeting all co-op requirements, including graded co-op assignments. Granting course credit for a course that was not registered, and for which the assignments were not completed is not possible. 

Complete a Co-op Registration Application to register a co-op.

Some non-traditional students who have worked in their industry before becoming a student in the college may qualify for co-op credit by exam.

Each required co-op experience is completed in unison with a credit bearing co-op course for which tution is charged. The cost is based on tuition and general fee rates.

It depends on the semester.  Fall and spring semester are 15 weeks and summer semester is 12 weeks.  The co-op requirements include working an average of 40 hours/week for one semester or 20 hours/week for two consecutive semesters during the dates that correlate with the semester in which you are enrolled in the co-op course. Be sure to work the weeks and hours required for your co-op while adhering to your employers attendance policy and holiday schedule.Vacations should be scheduled around the dates of your co-op as with any other course obligations. These are the minimum requirements for co-op purposes. It is your prerogative to work more and an agreement between you and your employer.

Part-time Co-op Format

A part-time co-op occurs over two consecutive semesters, but all official paperwork is processed the first semester. A part-time co-op registration will only show that you are registered for your co-op during the FIRST semester of the 2 semester, part-time format.  At the end of the first semester, you will temporarily receive a grade of "INC".  At the end of the second semester your grade will be updated (co-op courses are graded S/U).

DURING THE 1st SEMESTER

• Apply/Register for your co-op course.
• Pay tuition associated with the co-op course.
• Monitor your BGSU email and the Co-op Course in Canvas.
• Complete the co-op report and photo including any required revisions and earn passing scores.
• Participate in the co-op site review.
• Work at least 20 hours each week.

DURING THE 2nd SEMESTER - DO NOT RE-REGISTER YOUR CO-OP (Already completed in first semester)

• Continue working at least 20 hours per week.
• Monitor your BGSU email.
• You or your supervisor must send the co-op office verification that you have worked the minimum required co-op hours.
• At the end of this semester your grade will be updated to S/U based on successful completion of all co-op course requirements.

Yes. Successive co-ops are allowed. The co-op office does encourage alternating course work with co-op experiences as the best option. Every co-op experience must be registered and should advance in skills and responsibilities.

Yes. As long as each experience is advancing your skills and responsibilities. And every co-op experience must be registered to receive credit.

Yes. Once you have completed your co-op requirements it is your prerogative to gain additional experience. In some cases, depending on degree requirements, some students may use an extra co-op to meet elective requirements. Discuss this option with your academic advisor.

Yes. When you are registered for a co-op you are an enrolled student and should abide by the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in The Student Handbook and the Academic Honesty Policy. Students may be eligibile for specific BGSU services, resources and amenities as stipulated by the specifc guidelines of each individual area.

Some students may use financial aid and scholarship while registered for a co-op. Every students financial aid package is different. Check with the Office of Financial Aid to confirm your financial aid options specific to co-op.

If you are eligible for Veteran's Affairs Educational Benefits, you must check with the Veteran's Affairs Office, to determine the effects of co-op on Veteran's Benefits.

If needed, you can modify your schedule by dropping courses through your MyBGSU portal. If you feel that you can balance academic and co-op responsibilities successfully you may register for a co-op course while registed for other courses.  Assess your own personal situation to determine what you can successfully balance.

Yes. If you feel that you can balance academic and co-op responsibilities successfully you may register for a co-op course while registed for other courses.

Contact the Office of Residence Life for information on, on campus housing contracts and BGSU Dining to cancel on campus meal plan before the semester starts.

Some employers require drug screening, psychological testing, GPA/transcript review, driving record review and strength tests. Some may also adhere to a smoke-free environment policy; others require specific safety dress code attire.  All employers are different so ask questions.

There are many BGSU resources available to assist you in acquiring a co-op. Students in the College of Engineering and Innovation have access to the Co-op Orientation in Canvas where they will find four modules that describe the co-op program and resources in detail and provide weekly hints and tips, plus more.... Once modules 1-4 are completed students gain access to module-5 where they will find a list of employer partners who have hired BGSU co-op students in the past. This list is not exclusive but it is a good starting point. New employer partners are always welcome.

The co-op website provides general information, hints, tips and stretegies for attaining a co-op. Go to the How to Find a Co-op page to get started.

Students can also schedule a time to meet with the The Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections Career Coach, Life Design, the Co-op Office or a faculty mentor for assistance.  

Yes and Yes. The Co-op Office, faculty, administrators, and Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections all collaborate to develop employer partners who hire BGSU co-op students to fill their pipeline of talent through the co-op program. The co-op office notifies students about opportunities via email and provides a list of employer partners who have hired BGSU co-op students in the past to students through the Co-op Orientation in Canvas.  The Kuhlin Hub provides co-op search strategies and support to students and faculty mentors further develop co-op employer parthers through the co-op site review process.

Students are encouraged to develop their network by connecting with faculty, family, friends, neighbors etc. New employer partners are always welcomed.

Yes. Students can complete their co-op anywhere in the world and in any semester. Complete modules 1-4 in the Co-op Orientation in Canvas to gain access to module-5 where you will find a list of employer partners who have hired BGSU co-op students in the past. This list is not exclusive but it is a good starting point. Any employer who offers you a position that meets the general co-op requirements can count as your co-op. Contact the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections for additional co-op search strategies and resources. 

Contact international Programs and Partnerships for assistance and information about traveling abroad for your co-op or to learn more about work eligibility for international students completing co-ops in the U.S.  

While enrolled in your co-op you are a student at Bowling Green State University and have access to resources and support to help you make the most of your cooperative education experience. 

Know your rights as an employee. The Federal Government protects employees through various laws and policies including, but not limited to OSH ACT, EEOC, and FLSA. Inform the Office of Cooperative Education of any concerns or problems.

Be safe and mindful of scams and fraudulent opportunities. If you identify a fraudulent employer or posting, or encounter a concerning situation of any kind while going through the process of obtaining a co-op or while working at your co-op report it immediately to the BGSU Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections, Co-op Office and/or a faculty member. Fraudulent Employer Warning list here.

In some instances of disatisfaction with the position the employer may be willing to adjust your responsibilities or assign you to a different work area. Speak to your supervisor professionally to address the matter.

Contact the Office of Cooperative Education as soon as possible in concerns of urgency by calling 419-372-6802 or email coop@bgsu.edu.

No. Consider that the co-op program feeds the employers pipeline of talent to meet their future workforce needs. Employers who are hiring students for co-ops and internships know they offer fundamental knowledge gained from their course work and non-industry related experiences and are willing to traiin you.

Realize that you are presenting yourself to employers as an individual with professional aspirations, as a good learner and a hard worker who wants to find entry employment in a particular industry. The first co-op experience is designed for you to gain exposure in your specific industry.

Start early, don't give up.  Complete the action items in the Co-op Orientation in Canvas to attain a co-op.

Apply for as many co-ops as it take to attain a co-op.

Apply.

• Apply for positions that interest you.
• Research the employer and review the job description.
• Update your resume to align with the job description.
  
• Prepare an elevator speech: A brief introduction that highlights your skills, achievements, and goals. It should be concise, clear, and confident.
• Practice responding to common interview questions and highlight responses specific to the position. Prepare 2-3 questions for the interviewer.
• Plan your route and prepare for parking options if needed. Arrive 10 minutes early.
• After the interview send a note to thank them for the interview and to reiterate how you will be a great fit for the position.

Follow up.

• Make 3-5 connections each week then increase to 5-7or more as you become more efficient.
• Keep a list of your connections, their contact information and important notes...,follow up periodically.
• Update your resume (and portfolio) as you gain and improve your skills.  An updated resume (and portfolio) is a great follow up cue.

Yes, Keep track using this Excel table already formatted and ready for your use! Use this to organize company information resulting in a more productive co-op search.

If with assistance from the Office of Cooperative Education, you fail to find a co-op, you are a rare exception. That is not to say that finding a co-op employer is always easy; sometimes the search is difficult. 

Beginning the co-op search well in advance will help avoid this situation. For more information contact the Co-op Office.