Cooperative Education

CPS 298 - Pre-Cooperative Education Seminar

The Pre Cooperative Education Seminar is a required preparatory course designed to provide students with the necessary structure, resources, and support to successfully secure and engage in their cooperative education experience. Students will learn about the attitudes, skills and behaviors expected by employers. They will develop an understanding of Cooperative Education policies, procedures and requirements. Students will prepare an effective cover letter and resume, practice interview skills, job search strategies and learn how to self-market for a successful co-op experience and post-graduate job search.

* Students can register for CPS 298 through Advising, their assigned advisor or self-registration on The "Q"

(You must complete all assessments for each workshop through Blackboard and score at least 80% to pass it; you can take it three times. The assessments will not show up until you have completed all of the requirements in each section.) 

• Students must create an online account on QCC’s job board “Purple Briefcase” (PBC).
• At the completion of all four assessments, students will receive a grade of (Pass “P”) from Career Services (CS)
• Upon completion of CPS 298, students will then be able to register for 299  

Cooperative Education is a program that offers students a transitioning environment between college and career. It promotes the development of critical thinking, independent performance, the integration of theory and practice in the workplace, and student responsibility for learning. Most students can elect a cooperative education study option. It can be used as an elective in some academic programs, a requirement in others.

The co-op staff assists with job development, to assess the skills, abilities, and aspirations that will match an employers need with a students interest and ability, to create a mutually valuable work/education experience. To earn credits, students work a specified number of hours per week during the semester; develop a Learning Agreement that articulates the academic outcomes upon which their credit evaluation is based, meet with their co-op advisor, where they discuss their work activities, college studies, and career interests.

Participation in Cooperative Education

You can participate in QCC's co-op when:

ALL CO-OP STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED on PURPLE BRIEFCASE 

• Upload an approved resume and complete online PBC co-op application, uploading all completed forms (including weekly timesheets) from Co-op Handbook on Purple Briefcase
• Faculty member overseeing co-op will monitor students’ progress since no hard copy forms are maintained
• Faculty have the ability to monitor and validate completion of co-op requirements on PBC using their login
• Student is enrolled in a QCC program that requires a co-op
• Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
• Student employment position is directly related to their academic program
• Must have completed at least 24 credits toward your major

* Individual departments may require that a certain number of these credits or specific courses in the major be completed at QCC prior to participating in experience-based learning.

Cooperative Education provides:

1. Meaningful Experience
   Cooperative Education at QCC will give you the chance to work in your field - in time to make meaningful adjustments to your academic and career plans.

   Because you work full or part-time in a job directly related to your major, you gain professional experience that makes you more competitive in the job market. In fact, many co-op jobs turn into full time jobs after graduation.

2. Academic Credit
   Cooperative Education at QCC is an academic program. You can earn 3-6 academic credits for co-op toward your QCC degree. Co-op students are required to work 15-20 hours per week in a job related to their academic program. Learning goals and objectives are established which are the basis for credit and your final grade.
   If you are already working in your field, your job may be appropriate for co-op.
3. Convenience
   Cooperative Education fits your schedule. At QCC, part or full time co-op jobs can begin at any time during the year. You can try out Cooperative Education for just one term or participate for several co-op semesters, advancing in skills and seniority.

Disney World College Program

The Walt Disney College Program is a nationally recognized internship opportunity to work at one of the Disney resorts in Florida for an academic semester (or longer). Open to all majors, students gain valuable work-related skills, a resume entry that can provide a competitive edge for job seekers after they graduate, and the opportunity to work and network with people from all over the world.

Students earn QCC credit through co-op and they may also take QCC classes online. In addition, Disney sponsors structured classes, which have been evaluated through the American Council on Education for the award of credit upon completion of the program. Students must:

• Be enrolled in a QCC degree or certificate program
• Meet co-op eligibility requirements:
  • Have earned at least 24 credits toward academic program in non developmental courses
  • Have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Have no outstanding balance for QCC charges
  • Have no outstanding incomplete grades

Cost: Full course tuition and fees for co-op credits

Transcription Notation – Letter grade for co-op and online courses (if taken), pass for Disney-sponsored courses