ABSTRACT
Types of Experiential Learning Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Similar to internships in that learners complete their experience in a professional work environment related to their career goals
and profession, co-ops are usually longer than internships, 6-12 months, and learners are typically competitively compensated. The Cooperative Education and Internship Association (2015) define cooperative education as:
a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a “co-op”, provides academic credit for structured job experience. Co-op experiences are either full-time (40 hours per week) alternating periods (semester, quarter) of work and school or part-time (20 hours per week) combining work and school during the same time period. Co-op experiences are paid, supervised by a professional who has followed the same career path of the student and students complete more than one assignment (2 or more) with progressive levels of responsibility.
