A co-op combines academic activity with work experience. Students complete work projects in such companies as IBM, L-3 Communications, IHC, First Security, and the like, or with state or federal government. A co-op includes learning objectives, academic assignments and a term paper that evaluates what the student learned while on the job. Co-ops are available in 10 departments, and not only in the colleges of Engineering, Business, and Health, but Humanities and Social and Behavioral Science as well. When a department doesn't have a designated co-op course, students may earn credit through Educational Psychology.
Many companies routinely fill career job openings with former co-op students.
Coordinated by Career Services in Student Affairs, the U's co-op program is among the 20 largest in the nation, amounting to more than 5,000 credit hours per year. It will conclude on the University's 150th birthday, Feb. 28, 2000. Nominations are open for the University Diversity Awards. These are bestowed by the Diversity Committee each year to colleges, departments, or other entities for important contributions to diversity, especially regarding inclusion of women and minorities and progress in related issues. Data from the campuswide diversity survey conducted last spring will also be considered in judging.