Houston Community College System
Form COOP-1
 DFTG-2380 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION 1
 DFTG-2381 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION 2
14-0116
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION GENERAL INFORMATION
WHAT IS COOPERATIVE EDUCATION?
Cooperative Education (Co-op Ed) is a program which enables college students to
receive career training with pay as they work with professionals in their major fields of
study. Work experience in the industry enhances a student’s academic training. This
valuable experience is documented on a student’s official transcript.
The student in the program must register for a credit co-op course and pay the regular
tuition fee that applies. Grade is assigned based on the work reports submitted.
I. BENEFITS TO STUDENT, CO-OP SPONSOR (EMPLOYERS) AND FACULTY
a. Student
l. Gain a degree and relevant work experience at the same time.
2. Pay for schooling as Co-op work terms are paid experiences.
3. Academic work becomes more meaningful as students see the practical
application of the information.
4. Experiencing the environment of the career gives the student the opportunity to
adjust his course selection to provide the most relevant classroom experiences.
5. Co-op students have the opportunity to associate with experienced professionals.
b. Co-op Sponsor (Employer)
1. Access to high achieving, skilled students who have been pre-selected into the
program.
2. A cost effective way to staff peak periods or to complete special projects.
3. Availability of co-op students for different work terms year round.
4. An opportunity to train and test potential employees to company needs – a cost
saving human resource advantage.
c. Faculty Advisor (HCC Professor)
1. Build strong links with employers.
2. Gain feedback on the latest developments in industry.
3. Assess students in the workplace.
4. Evaluate the performance of the students on “real” projects.
II. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES
B.. Student
1. Initiates an independent search for an appropriate work term position.
2. Honors the acceptance of a work term position by reporting to work at the
commencement of the work term and fulfills the terms of employment.
DFTG-2380 – DFTG-2381
3. Respects the policies, procedures, confidentiality and proprietary information of
employers (assume that job information is confidential unless told otherwise).
4. Adheres to all conditions and rules that apply to employees in the organization.
These may include: pay, allowances and benefits, normal working hours,
physical examination requirements, income tax reporting, suitable dress, etc.
5. Keeps the Faculty Advisor informed of any changes in address, contact, and
work term information throughout the duration of the Co-op program.
6. Accepts feedback and suggestions for improvement from the Co-op Sponsor’s
Supervisor, and the Faculty Advisor in a positive manner.
7. Writes a weekly work term report and submits it to the Faculty Advisor.
8. Meets with the Faculty Advisor once a week.
2. Co-op Sponsor (Employer)
1. Selects the Student and provides him/her with an Offer of Employment letter.
2. Provides a Supervisor who will oversee the work and discusses expectations for
the work term with the Student.
3. Completes a final evaluation of the Student’s performance during the work term
and discusses it with the Student.
4. Adheres to all Employment Legislation and Human Rights Acts.
3. Faculty Advisor (Faculty)
1. Monitors the Student’s job progress, evaluates the work term experience and
provides technical and professional support through out the work term.
2. Discusses and helps Students to develop and refine career goals.
III PROCEDURES
a. Meeting sessions with the advisor:
At the first meeting, the advisor will schedule the individual meetings with each
student.
b. Work reports:
Student must comply with all requirements such as minimum weekly work hours,
and project weekly progress.
Advisor,
Francis Ha
Professor and Department Chair
Co-op Education Advisor, DFTG-2380 & DFRG-2381
Houston Community College - Northwest
713-718-5544 (office)
281-804-8090 (mobile)
francis.ha@hccs.edu
www.hccs.edu
DFTG-2380 – DFTG-2381