College of Education and Human Services Cooperative Education  

COEHS Cooperative Education

What Is Cooperative Education (Co-op)?

Cooperative Education is a unique educational program in which students integrate classroom study with supervised work experience related to their major field of study.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the Co-op Program you must meet the requirements below:

Undergraduate:
Must be admitted as a degree seeking student
Must have at least 60 credit hours at the time you begin your co-op assignment
Must have a declared major (officially accepted into college)*
If a transfer student, must have at least one semester of completed course work at UNF
Must have at least one semester remaining in program of study*

Graduate:
Must be admitted as a degree seeking student
Must be enrolled in courses at the time of co-op*  
Must declare a career goal related to major
Must have one semester remaining in program of study*

*Consult the Co-op Program Coordinator for specific requirements by individual college. 

Important Note: International students must consult with the International Center for eligibility requirements. 

Benefits

There are numerous benefits to participating in the Co-op Program. Through the integration of study and work experience, you can enhance your academic knowledge and professional preparation. These experiences can increase your marketability upon graduation.

• Learn new skills
• Gain exposure to new environments
• Test out theories learned in the classroom
• Expand your knowledge of a specific career field
• Explore career options
• Discover what education and experience are required for each position 
• Learn what job opportunities are available in your field
• Help you establish a professional network

How To Apply  

To get started with the Co-op Program and get permission to register for the Co-op course you need to complete the following steps.

1. Complete your profile in Career Wings.  
2. Complete the Co-op Application  

Contact our office to set-up a pre-work appointment with Maria Castro Co-op Program Coordinator by calling 904-620-2955 (bring your Co-op Application to appointment).

1. Once you secure an approved Co-op position have your
   Co-op Assignment Form completed and signed by your academic advisor and employer.

1. Set-up an appointment with Maria Castro Co-op Program Coordinator to get permission to register for the Co-op Course.

Co-op Program Timeline 

Course Requirements

Course Format:         
This class does not meet in the traditional classroom setting.  Instead, the activities of the class will take place on the job, according to a schedule agreed upon by you, the employer, and the Co-op Coordinator.  A site visit may be conducted once during the semester to allow the Co-op Coordinator to determine if satisfactory progress is being made. 

Course Blackboard Site:
This course is accompanied and supported by a Blackboard website. Each students officially enrolled in the course will have access to this site. It is extremely important that you know how to access the Blackboard site and familiarize yourself with its content. LOG IN to the Blackboard® site by accessing http://blackboard.unf.edu. 

Credit Hour Guidelines and Requirements   

Co-op Course Assignments 

Learning Objectives Report (link) 

• By the end of your second week on the job, you must meet with your immediate supervisor and draft your learning objectives for your Co-op work experience. Check course syllabus for specific assignment due date.
• You must state specifically what kind of jobs you hope to become involved in and what you hope to  learn during your Co-op assignment. Note: New objectives should be established each semester.  

Student Self-Reporting Employment Data  

• You will log-in to Career Wings and complete the Employment Data section in your profile. You will provide all the information related to your current Co-op assignment.

Update and Upload Resume in Career Wings 

• You will update your resume and include your current Co-op position. Once you update your resume you will upload it in Career Wings. If you would like your resume critique by the Co-op Instructor please send a copy via email at least one week prior to the assignment due date.

Student Mid-Term Evaluation (completed by employer)

• Must be faxed to 620-2690 or dropped off at Career Services, Founders Hall (Building 2) Suite 1100 

Note: It is your responsibility to have the employer submit this evaluation to the Co-op Instructor by the deadline. 

Work Report 

• The intent of this report is to provide an overview of your Co-op experience.

Co-op Assignment Evaluation (completed by student)

• Provides you the opportunity to evaluate your Co-op assignment and site supervisor.

Student Final Evaluation (completed by employer)

• Must be faxed to 620-2690 or dropped off at Career Services 2/2086

Note: It is your responsibility to have the employer submit this evaluation to the Co-op Instructor by the deadline. 

Time Sheet 

1. Is designed to track the total hours of work performed by you at their Co-op job site. You must complete the required hours based on the number of credits you have registered for each semester.  
2. You must keep track of your hours on a weekly basis. At the end of the semester, your site supervisor must sign your time sheet certifying the total number of hours you worked during the semester  

 See the course syllabus (link) for due dates for all of your assignments. NOTE: You MUST submit all your assignments by the specified deadline or you risk failing your Co-op course. 

Grading System 

: You will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. 

A passing grade (P) is assigned if you receive a satisfactory evaluation on the Mid-Term and Final Evaluation Forms, complete the required hours for credit and you return all completed assignments to the Coordinator by the established due dates. 

A failing grade (F) is assigned when you do not submit written assignments, receive an unsatisfactory employer evaluations, or prematurely terminate your work assignment without consultation and agreement from both the Co-op Coordinator and the employer.

An incomplete grade (I) may be given under special circumstances, which must be discussed and agreed upon with the Co-op Coordinator.  This incomplete grade will revert to a failing grade if the matter is not resolved in a timely manner. 

 For more program information contact:
Co-op Program Coordinator
Maria Castro
904-620-2955

Sample Listing of Past Co-op Employers