Position Requirements
If you are offered a co-op position outside of the Co-op Program interview process, as a direct hire, and would like to earn technical elective credits toward your degree while you work, the following requirements must be met:
- You must be an upper division undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota in one of the majors the Co-op Program serves.
- You must work for at least two semesters (a third semester is optional).
- You must work full-time during those two or three semesters.
- You cannot work only summer semesters. At least one semester must be a fall or spring semester.
- The position must be related to your major.
- You must be paid a competitive wage.
- The Co-op fee must be paid by your employer ($650/working semester). This fee is not the same as the tuition fee for enrolling in the Co-op courses.
- Not all employers are willing to pay this fee. Please contact the Co-op Program before you accept a position to see if there is an agreement already on file, or if your potential employer has refused to participate in the Co-op Program.
- More information can be found at the Employer's Direct Hire webpage.
All students, regardless of how their co-op position was acquired, must enroll in the Co-op courses and complete the assignments in a timely manner. The Co-op courses and work semesters follow the University's semester calendar. See the "Working Students" section on this website.
Required Paperwork
- Submit the online Co-op inquiry/information form
- The Co-op Program will review your information and let you know if you should move onto steps 2 and 3.
- Submit the pdf application form.
- Submit a current unofficial U of M transcript. Do not submit an APASS report.
- Have your employer submit the Employer Agreement, agreeing to pay the Co-op fee if they are not a part of our program yet.
- Follow the instructions under the "Newly Hired Students" section for the rest of the required paperwork instructions.
All of the paperwork is to be emailed to co-op@umn.edu and must be completed before the start of your working semester.
Turning an Internship into a Co-op
If you have been working at an engineering internship position and would like to turn it into a co-op position, you need to:
- Meet the requirements listed above
- Make an appointment with the Director of the Co-op Program, Dr. Frank Kelso, to discuss the feasibility of this transition as soon as possible as the coursework cannot be done retroactively.