Cooperative Education Work
Agreement
F-1 Visa Holders
Student Union I, 3400 ♦ 4400 University Drive ♦ MS3B6 ♦ Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 ♦ 703-993-2365 ♦ 703-993-2361(fax) ♦ coop@gmu.edu
Employer:Click
here to enter text.
Contact Person:
Title:
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Address:
Click here to enter text.
Email:Click
here to enter text.
Phone:Click here
Student: Ms./Mr.
to enter text.
Fax:
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Phone:
Email:
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Cooperative education and other types of experiential learning are considered real-world work
experiences related to a student’s academic studies and/or industry career goals. Employers offer
various types of student employment programs, including the following:
 Cooperative Education
 Internships
 Pathways—Federal Government’s student employment program
George Mason University’s students have the opportunity to earn a zero-credit transcript
recognition by enrolling in our Cooperative Education Program when they are offered a paid internship
or co-op. Students and employers who choose to participate help to create a mutually beneficial
relationship between the employer, the University, and the student. The benefits of enrollment in a
cooperative education program include:
 Students gain paid experiential work related to their academic studies and/or industry career
goals which is progressively responsible.
 Employers are assisted in the recruitment and development of outstanding employees.
 Educational institutions strengthen relationships with potential employers.
Students who enroll in Mason’s program establish learning goals at the beginning of their
experience and complete an online evaluation at the end of the semester. They may reapply to the
program in subsequent semesters provided they meet the academic requirements, and the employer
invites them to return.
It is expressly understood by the parties that this agreement or statement of understanding does
not create, supersede, or modify any employee contractual rights between the parties and is solely for
the educational purposes articulated above. It is further understood by the parties that George Mason
University has no other contractual responsibilities to the parties other than those expressly described
herein.
University Responsibilities




1
Maintain contact with the employer and act as a liaison between the University, the employer,
and the student. The Experiential Learning Specialist is the primary point of contact and liaison.
Provide the employer with information about the student’s academic progress pertinent to the
student’s employment.
Inform the employer of any changes in the student’s work or academic status.
Assign a Career Services Industry Advisor for student and/or employer consultation.



Enable the student to establish learning goals for the proposed work experience.
Provide an evaluation to be completed by the student and supervisor in an online or email
format.
Provide Cooperative Education program forms to the student and supervisor within a two-daybusiness period.
Employer Responsibilities












Inform the Mason Experiential Learning Specialist of any changes in the student’s work status.
Provide the student assignments of increasing responsibility, related to the student’s academic
studies and/or industry career goals, for the purpose of enhancing the student’s education.
Provide a minimum work experience of 160 hours of work during the specified academic term.
Provide a job description outlining responsibilities of the position.
Assist the student in developing a written plan specifying objectives or learning goals.
Provide student with a mentor or direct supervisor.
Participate in an online evaluation of the student’s performance and provide feedback.
The employer is not obligated to offer student employment upon graduation, nor is the student
obligated to accept any such offer should one be made.
Any contracting or client organizations must be informed that the student is enrolled in
George Mason’s Cooperative Education Program.
To employ a Co-op student during a given academic term, the student must have a job offer and
be in process with Co-op paperwork by the deadline which may be referenced by the student on
the Curricular Practical Training form.
Contracting organizations must identify the name of the client company, client location and
name of on-site supervisor for prospective Co-op student in advance of program approval.
Supervision must be provided at the work site by the hiring organization. This supervision must
be maintained throughout the work experience.
A third-party employer (e.g., temporary employment agency) must make the necessary
arrangements for the Co-op student to be supervised on site by an employee of the client
company. The client organization supervisor (i.e., the organization at which the student will
work) must sign this Cooperative Education Agreement Form as well. The student must
complete the required 160 hours of work with the same client company.
Student Responsibilities








2
Abide by the policies and regulations of both the employer and the Cooperative Education
Program, recognizing his/her responsibility as a representative of George Mason University to
the business community.
Inform the Experiential Learning Specialist and his/her employer of any changes in academic or
work status.
Consult with your Career Industry Advisor in Career Services for help in resolving any concerns
that arise during a work or study period.
Doctoral students completing their dissertation must provide written documentation from their
dissertation advisor about their academic progress, to include a completion timeline.
Complete learning goals for the work experience.
Complete an online evaluation in participation with your supervisor.
Maintain satisfactory work performance and academic progress.
Return all forms as requested by the Experiential Learning Specialist in a timely manner.



Pay a one-time-only processing fee of $25.00 (cash or check) to George Mason University. The
fee is due at time of enrollment and payable in Career Services office or by mail. Invoices are not
sent to students.
Understand that employers may not make offers that would conflict with student’s academic
obligations and commitments. Employers are not obligated to make offers of permanent
employment when a student graduates and students are not obligated to accept such offers.
Begin employment only after written authorization or I-20 form has been obtained from OIPS.
Co-op Work Schedule Options & Academic Requirements
Academic Status:
 Minimum GPA must be maintained throughout enrollment
Undergraduate: 2.0
Graduate: 3.0
 Work Period:
 Complete 160 hours minimum during the specified academic period for which you are enrolled
in the Cooperative Education Program.
 A work period is defined using the University’s calendar dates for any given academic term. For
the specific calendar reference: http://oips.gmu.edu/forms/f1/cptform.pdf
Undergraduate
Graduate

Part-time work = 10-20 hours per week

Part-time work = 10-20 hours per week

Full-time work = 20-40 hours per weekallowed in Summer term only.


Must maintain full-time enrollment status
as defined by the Registrar except during
the final semester and summer terms.

Full-time work = 20-40 hours per weekallowed in Summer term only.
.
Must maintain full-time enrollment status
as defined by the Registrar except during
the final semester and summer terms.
We agree to comply with the conditions of this Cooperative Education Work Agreement:
Employer Signature and Date:
Title:
For information guidance on establishing learning objectives please see our webpage:
careers.gmu.edu Keyword search: Learning Goals
Experiential Learning Specialist Signature and Date:
Student Signature and Date:
G#
I agree to allow George Mason University Career Services to release my name, major, and Co-op/Internship site to my academic department for
educational purposes.
3