{"id":684,"date":"2019-01-08T14:53:04","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T19:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/?page_id=684"},"modified":"2026-03-23T16:52:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T20:52:37","slug":"cooperative-education-and-internships","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/student-success-center\/career-services\/cooperative-education-and-internships\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooperative Education (Co-op) and Credit-Bearing Internships"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Cooperative Education (Co-op) and Credit-Bearing Internships<\/h2>\n<p>Montclair State University offers students the opportunity to participate in faculty- and site-supervised work experiences that provide employers with skilled workers while giving students exposure to potential careers and professional work environments.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"deadlines\">Types of Work Experiences<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Cooperative Education:<\/strong> A full-time, credit-bearing, paid, faculty-and-site-supervised new learning work experience which allows students to make a connection between their studies and the world of work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Credit-Bearing Internships:<\/strong> A short-term paid or unpaid work experience providing the employer with skilled workers and giving students exposure to a potential career and\/or work environment.<\/p>\n<h2>Co-op\/Credit-Bearing Internships Application Deadlines<\/h2>\n<dl class=\"compact\">\n<dt>Spring 2026<\/dt>\n<dd>January 9th<\/dd>\n<dt>Summer 2026<\/dt>\n<dd>April 24th<\/dd>\n<dt>Fall 2026<\/dt>\n<dd>August 14th<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<h2>About Co-op<\/h2>\n<p>Co-ops are structured components of an academic program curriculum. The co-op experience typically does not allow for coursework to be taken during the same semester because of the full-time (35 hours per week) workload requirement. Students must enroll in the course (minimum one semester), and the positions must meet co-op work-learning criteria.<\/p>\n<div class=\"prpl-drawer\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\"> Credit-bearing Internships Hours and Credits<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Biology and Molecular Biology Majors:\n<ul>\n<li>4 credits (14-15 hours per week) for a total of 190 hours<\/li>\n<li>The academic course designed is <a href=\"http:\/\/catalog.montclair.edu\/coursesaz\/biol\/biol.pdf\">BIOL409<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Computer Science, Information Technology, and Data Science Majors:\n<ul>\n<li>3 credits (10-15 hours per week) for a total of 140 hours<\/li>\n<li>The academic course designed is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.catalog.montclair.edu\/coursesaz\/csit\/csit.pdf\">CSIT491<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Information Technology majors require an internship course; Computer Science majors&#8217; course is optional; Data Science majors choose between an internship or research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>All other majors:\n<ul>\n<li>3 credits (10-15 hours per week) for a total of 140 hours<\/li>\n<li>The academic course designed is <a href=\"http:\/\/catalog.montclair.edu\/coursesaz\/coed\/coed.pdf\">COED401<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\">FAQs<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<dl>\n<dt>What is the internship course?<\/dt>\n<dd><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This course provides students with practical experience related to their major that will enhance and complement their classroom learning.<\/span><\/dd>\n<dt>When is it offered?<\/dt>\n<dd>It is offered during the fall (14 weeks), spring (14 weeks), and summer semesters (14 weeks); there is no winter session.<\/dd>\n<dt>Are there any deadlines to apply?<\/dt>\n<dd>Yes, there are deadlines to submit your application (see <a href=\"#deadlines\">top of page<\/a>).<\/dd>\n<dt>How do I qualify for the course?<\/dt>\n<dd>Generally, students must have a 2.0 minimum GPA and have earned 30 credits before applying.<\/dd>\n<dd>Students who transfer into Montclair State University with an associate or bachelor&#8217;s degree do not have to obtain any course credit at Montclair State University to be eligible for the course.<\/dd>\n<dd>Students who transfer into Montclair State University without a degree must complete at least nine credits at Montclair State, have at least 30 accumulated credits (including Montclair State and transfer), and have a 2.0 minimum GPA.<\/dd>\n<dt>How do I learn more about this course?<\/dt>\n<dd>Register via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a> to attend a Co-op and Credit-Bearing Information Session<\/dd>\n<dt>How do I apply?<\/dt>\n<dd>The application form is found on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a> (Click on NEST &gt; Handshake &gt; Experiences&gt;Submit an Experience)<\/dd>\n<dt>My major requires that I complete a departmental approval form, where can I find this form?<\/dt>\n<dd>The Departmental Approval form is also found on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a> (Resources &gt; Biology\/Molecular Biology Approval Form, Information Technology Approval Form, Computer Science Approval Form and CSAM General Majors Approval Form)<\/dd>\n<dt>Am I guaranteed a spot in the course?<\/dt>\n<dd>No, you are not guaranteed a section. It is a highly competitive process. You should be actively involved and stay on top of the process. Follow-up in a timely and professional manner is essential throughout the job search to ensure your success.<\/dd>\n<dt>Can I find my own position and use it?<\/dt>\n<dd>Yes, this is called a student-developed position. Your position may be approved if the work is related to your major or your career goals, and if the work experience provides new learning.<\/dd>\n<dd>Your CSAM Career Services representative must approve these positions through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a>.<\/dd>\n<dt>Can I use my current job\/employer?<\/dt>\n<dd>Yes, if you can demonstrate new learning through a promotion, a different position within the company, or evidence of a project or tasks that will comprise at least 50% of the time spent at the work site.<\/dd>\n<dt>How do I earn a grade for my experience?<\/dt>\n<dd>You earn your grade by fulfilling ALL of these requirements:\n<ul>\n<li>Successfully completing your position;<\/li>\n<li>Submitting academic projects that are assigned by your faculty advisor as part of the learning agreement;<\/li>\n<li>Attending seminars, when required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/dd>\n<dt>Is withdrawal from the course possible?<\/dt>\n<dd>Yes, it is possible but you need to discuss this with the employer, your faculty advisor, and your advisor. Guidelines for course withdrawal established by the Registrar must be followed.<\/dd>\n<dt>Do I pay for my internship credits?<\/dt>\n<dd>Yes, you pay tuition and fees just as you do for any other course.<\/dd>\n<dt>Am I obligated to work for my employer after graduation?<\/dt>\n<dd>No, and while many internships do lead to a permanent job offer, it is best to do a thorough job hunt that includes many potential employers.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\">How do I find an internship&quest;<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Review job postings on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Attend career fairs<\/li>\n<li>Company websites<\/li>\n<li>Current employer<\/li>\n<li>Networking<\/li>\n<li>Social media (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter)<\/li>\n<li>Attend employer-led workshops (e.g., <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hackensack Meridian Health, Johnson and Johnson)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\">Things to keep in mind<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Time management (i.e., when&#8217;s the optimal time for you to participate in a co-op or credit-bearing internship?)\n<ul>\n<li>Give yourself time to secure an internship (i.e., application process, interview, complete paperwork)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>It is a great experience-building opportunity (i.e., resume-building)<\/li>\n<li>Be proactive in your internship search<\/li>\n<li>Attend CSAM Career Development Workshops. Register for all career events on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\">Where can I find more information&quest;<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Register via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/career-services\/handshake\/\">Handshake<\/a> to attend Information Sessions<\/li>\n<li>Check out our <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/montclair.instructure.com\/courses\/125336\" target=\"_blank\">Canvas<\/a> page for more info<\/li>\n<li>Send an email to <a href=\"mailto:csamcareers@montclair.edu\">csamcareers@montclair.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cooperative Education (Co-op) and Credit-Bearing Internships Montclair State University offers students the opportunity to participate in faculty- and site-supervised work experiences that provide employers with skilled workers while giving students exposure to potential careers and professional work environments. Types of Work Experiences Cooperative Education: A full-time, credit-bearing, paid, faculty-and-site-supervised new learning work experience which allows [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":208384,"parent":670,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-684","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=684"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":212993,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/684\/revisions\/212993"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/670"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/208384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}