Co-op Requirements: Work Experience, Community Engagement, and Reflection

Work and engagement in communities of practice lie at the heart of cooperative education. Documenting and reflecting on the experience, are also essential components of the co-op learning cycle. In order to meet the co-op requirement necessary for graduation, all students are required to complete three approved co-op field experiences and pass them with a grade of “C” (twelve credits each). Students enroll in these by registering for the appropriate Cooperative Education course that is offered at the time they engage in their cooperative work term, as determined by fulfillment of both the co-requisite and any prerequisites identified. They thus are expected to earn a minimum of thirty-six Cooperative Education credits required for graduation.

Active student participation in every aspect of the co-op field experience is necessary for success. Active participation is demonstrated in the following ways:

• Fulltime Experiential Engagement – Co-Op students are required to work or engage at least 30 hours per week in an approved co-op job or other approved experiential learning opportunity for a minimum of 30 hours per week throughout the 11-week academic term. Leaving a position before completing the 11 weeks must be approved by the instructor and a plan for completing the experiential requirement must be formalized.

• Regular communication, documentation, and timely submission of assignments is required to demonstrate attendance and fulfill the expectations of the Co-op Field Experience courses.

Students should remain in close contact with their co-op Course Instructors and Advisors throughout the co-op experience. It is imperative that students enter into communication with the instructor during the first week of the co-op term so that they will be counted as participating in the course. Students who have not demonstrated participation in co-op courses during the first two weeks of the quarter will be dropped from enrollment by the registrar, which may have an impact on the awarding of financial aid for the term.

The co-op team supports a student’s right to work in a safe and supportive environment. Co-op faculty members are prepared to assist students who for whatever reason feel they must leave a co-op before the completion of the term. In such instances, students may propose an alternative experience so that they have the best possible chance of successfully completing the co-op requirement.

Co-op partners are asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the cooperative relationship and allowing the College to advertise available positions. Nothing contained within the MOU prevents an employer from terminating a student’s employment if they find cause to do so, as long as they operate in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Students are informed that Antioch College is not in a position to provide legal counsel to resolve legal disputes between a student and an employer.