PURDUE UNIVERSITY
School of Chemical Engineering
Co-op Policy Statements
1.
Application to the Professional Practice (PP) Program does not guarantee job placement. You must be registered on the
West Lafayette campus as a full-time student to be eligible for participation in the PP Program.
2.
You become a PP and ChE Co-Op student once you have accepted employment with a qualified employer, orally or in
writing. From this point onward all the rights, policies and responsibilities of a ChE Co-Op student will apply to you
automatically.
3.
Once accepted into a Co-Op Program, you are required to register for a PP course every work session (including summers)
for your specific program requirements.
4.
You must meet the Grade Point Average (GPA) and academic requirements established by the faculty of your
College/School in order to apply and participate in a Co-Op Program. In the School of Chemical Engineering, the GPA
requirement for application is 3.0/4.0 or higher for the traditional ‘5-Session Co-Op Program’, and 2.80/4.0 or higher for
the ‘3-Session Co-Op Program’. Continued performance at this level and completion of all applicable course requirements
are prerequisites for beginning the first work session. Students participating in the Co-Op Program are expected to
maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8/4.0 or better and satisfactory progress toward degree requirements throughout their
studies.
Additional Requirements for the Program in Chemical Engineering:

First-Year Engineering students with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher after their first semester may apply for the
traditional 5-Session Co-Op Program if their first-year engineering requirements will be completed prior to
their first work session. Continued performance at this level and the completion of all First-Year Engineering
requirements are prerequisites for beginning the first work session. A grade of C or better in CHE 20500 is a
prerequisite for ChE Co-Op students to return to their second work session. In Chemical Engineering, similar
consideration will be given to sophomore students with a GPA between 2.8 and 3.0 applying for the 3-Session
Co-Op Program. A grade of C or better in CHE 20500 is a prerequisite for the 3 session ChE Co-Op students to
begin their first work session.
The following conditions must be met to continue in Engineering Co-Op Programs:

Students participating in the traditional 5-Session Co-Op and 3-Session Co-Op Programs are expected to
maintain a Graduation Index of 2.8/4.0 or better and maintain satisfactory progress toward degree
requirements. Should an engineering student's Graduation Index drop below the satisfactory level at the end of
a given academic session, the student may return to the Co-Op job for the next work session, but will be placed
on Co-Op Probation. Engineering students on Co-Op Probation must achieve in the next academic session, a
Semester Index of at least the satisfactory level (2.80/4.0) with a normal course load or be dropped from the CoOp Program. This level of performance must continue each subsequent academic session until the graduation
index again exceeds requirement for participation, at which time the student will no longer be on Co-Op
Probation.
5.
Note that employers may have higher GPA requirements for applying and/or continuing as a Co-Op with a given
company. If so, these employers’ requirements will be enforced over those of the School of Chemical Engineering.
Last updated: April 2013
6.
ACADEMIC PROBATION IS IMMEDIATE CAUSE FOR TERMINATION FROM A PP PROGRAM.
7.
The Co-Op Programs are designed for alternating work and academic periods as specified by your College/School. The
Coordinators are strongly opposed to any deviation from these schedules. Changes in alternating schedules will be
approved ONLY for compelling academic or job-related reasons. Approval must be obtained in writing from BOTH your
employer and Coordinator by mid-semester before the proposed change in sequence. You must initiate the approval
process well in advance by presenting a petition to your Coordinator giving the compelling academic or job-related
reasons for the proposed change. You should not make plans with your employer before you discuss this issue with your
Co-Op Coordinator. Even if the request for a change in work schedule is initiated by your employer, you must consult
with the Co-Op Coordinator before accepting a new work schedule. Consecutive work sessions require two
registrations and two work reports. Students not adhering to these procedures will be dropped from their PP Program.
8.
A dropped Co-Op student may not work for their former employer until after graduation.
9.
A PP student participating in a Co-Op Program may have a second employer, ONLY if the entire Co-Op Program with the
original employer is terminated.
10. A PP student may resign from a Co-Op Program. A former Co-Op student may not work for their former employer until
after graduation.
11. The Work Session Record and Evaluation form, the Professional Practice Student Performance Appraisal form, and a
written work report approved by the employer are required for each Co-Op work session. Submission of these is a
condition for a satisfactory grade in each Co-Op work session course. These forms, and the work report, are due the first
day of classes following the work session, unless otherwise specified by the Co-op Coordinator. If they are not received by
the end of the first week of classes, the student's grade may be changed to Unsatisfactory/Incomplete. If not received
within six (6) weeks (3 weeks in summer), the employer may be notified. If not received by mid-semester (end of 4th week
in summer), the student may be dropped from their Co-Op Program.
12. A Professional Practice Certificate will be granted if satisfactory grades have been received in ALL required work session
courses, all of the additional PP requirements of the student's College/Department have been met, and the student has
completed the minimum number of work sessions for their particular program. A Certificate may be granted for fewer
than the standard number of work sessions required by the College/School (e.g., late start in the Program), but the student
must petition their Co-op Coordinator for the Certificate. No more than two work sessions may be summer sessions for the
5 term Co-Op Program and one summer for the 3 term Co-Op Program.
13. The PP student must keep a current address, telephone number, and email address on file with their Co-op Coordinator,
whether they are at work or on campus.
14. You must register for each of the required work sessions as established by your College/School and pay the required
registration and service fee. Your Industrial Practice fee is due in the Bursar's Office by the deadline specified by the
University. If not received by the deadline, you will automatically be assessed a late fee. A new bill will be mailed that
includes the late fee and the Industrial Practice fee. Your record will be encumbered if payment is not received within 3
weeks of the due date. Poor postal service and/or not receiving a fee statement are NOT acceptable reasons for waiving the
late penalty. Failure to register for a PP work session course or failure to pay the required fee may result in immediate
termination from the PP Program.
15. Each Co-op Coordinator has the authority to make exceptions to any of these policies.
Last updated: April 2013