Students are pursuing a variety of specific concentrations, but are identifiable in terms of specific analytic, quantitative, and communication skills by way of foundation courses. The primary goal of the University co-op program is to place students in work assignments designed to complement and enrich their educational and career development. Co-op students are accountable to faculty for the learning outcomes of the experience. College credit is awarded for the experiential learning. The cooperative education concept The University of Michigan-Dearborn recognized the importance of Cooperative Education when the campus was founded in 1959.
Students then alternate periods of work with periods of classroom studies.
The program is optional, but is open to all majors in the College. Meeting employer needs Cooperative Education is a source of well qualified, pre-screened, highly motivated employees. Wages and fringe benefits are generally less extensive than for regular employees. Co-ops hired as regular employees upon graduation are a known quantity, entering the regular work force at peak productivity levels. It is the policy of the University of Michigan that no person, on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, handicap, or Vietnam-era veteran status, shall be discriminated against in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions.