ACADEMIC AFFAIRS PROCEDURE
Co-operative Education Program
PROCEDURE
The following procedures apply to all undergraduate students applying for participation in co-operative
education.
 Students interested in the co-operative education program (co-op) must meet the following eligibility
requirements:
a. Completion of at least 32 credits;
b. Completion of at least 16 credits at Ramapo;
c. Minimum 2.0 cumulative and major GPA.






Exceptions to any of these requirements must be approved by the Director of the Cahill Center.
Eligible students must submit the on-line application form and the Ethical Conduct Agreement and
the Co-operative Education Learning Agreement to their Cahill Center career advisor and register
for the program by the established deadlines.
For fall and spring, co-op positions must be the length of the academic semester and a minimum of
fifteen hours per week. Summer co-op positions must begin the first week of summer session 1
and last for 12 weeks with a minimum of 20 hours per week. All co-ops must be at least 240 hours.
Existing jobs may be converted into a co-op position if the following criteria is met:
 the student has held the position for fewer than two years;
 the student and supervisor can demonstrate that new learning will take place with
expanded duties and responsibilities, new projects, etc.;
 the employer must submit a job description on company or institutional letterhead of
previous duties as well as a job description that includes the expanded duties while
participating in the co-op;
 the career advisor, along with the co-op faculty advisor, will determine the suitability of the
position. If approved, the program registration steps must be followed.
If a student wishes to remain at the same site for an additional semester, he or she must
submit a new letter from a work supervisor listing new responsibilities. The student will also
complete a new learning agreement and follow the required registration procedures.
Each successfully completed co-op course is awarded four (4) credits. Students may apply two coops (8 credits) towards graduation. If a student completes additional co-ops, the student will receive
credit for them, but not credit that counts towards the 128 credits required for graduation. For
example, if a student completes three (3) co-ops, two (2) co-ops will count towards graduation,
while the other co-op will count as additional credits beyond the 128 credits required for graduation.
If a student intends to take more than two (2) co-ops after making arrangements in the Cahill
Center, the student must register in person in the Registrar’s Office by completing an additional
form describing the credits applied toward graduation agreement.
Co-op students must complete a Learning Agreement approved by their faculty advisor, career
advisor, and employment supervisor. Students are required to attend both orientation and reflection
sessions for the program.
Faculty assign grades to co-op students based on the objectives in their Learning Agreements, on
their employer evaluations, and on their academic assignments.
International students must see the International Student Officer at the Roukema Center (ASB-123)
for International Education and complete additional paperwork to remain in visa compliance. In
Procedure 300-W-Cooperative Education – 4/18/12
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS PROCEDURE
compliance with work visa regulations, international students are limited to work 11 weeks over the
summer (from the first day of summer session 1 through summer session 2). International students
will be required to complete additional academic assignments to account for working one less
week.
Procedure 300-W-Cooperative Education – 4/18/12