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Frequently Asked Questions: Cooperative Education Program (Co-op)
What do I need to do to participate in the Co-op Program at Mason?
Is there a minimum salary rate for a co-op position?
How many hours per week can a co-op student work?
Can I hire a co-op student for the summer only?
Can I set a minimum Grade Point Average requirement for my Co-op Education positions?
Can I hire non-U.S. citizens?
Do I have to guarantee the co-op student a job if I do not have work for them or if I am not satisfied with their work?
How do I get started recruiting a Mason student for a co-op position?
What do I need to do to participate in the Co-op Program at Mason?
The hiring process to fill a co-op student position mirrors that of an intern or temporary employee.
- Determine your company's hiring needs.
- Develop a job description.
- Identify a supervisor that the student will report to directly.
- Advertise the position in PatriotJobWeb.
- Interview candidates.
- Make an offer.
- Complete the required Mason Cooperative Education Work Agreement forms:
Is there a minimum salary rate for a co-op position?
Each employer determines the salary and benefits of their co-op employees. Although the rate of pay for a Co-op Education position will vary according to career field, industry type, level of responsibility and student preparedness, typical salaries range from $10 to $30 per hour.
Mason Cooperative Education Salary Survey 2008-09*
Field/Major Accounting Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Communication Computer Engineering Computer Science Economics Electrical Engineering Finance Government/International Politics Health Science Information Security Management Field/Major Bioinformatics Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Communications Computational Science Computer Engineering Computer Science E-commerce Economics Electrical/Computer Engineering Environmental Science Information Systems Information Technology International Commerce Public Administration Public Policy Sciences Software Engineering Telecommunications * All Mason majors are not represented.
Please contact University Career Services to speak with a counselor concerning salary information for majors not included.
How many hours per week can a co-op student work?
A co-op student may work full time or part time. Full time is defined as 33 to 40 hours per week. Part time is defined as 15 to 32 hours per week. Students on F-1 visas may have specific work restrictions. Please email
the Co-op Program assistant with questions.
Can I hire a Co-op Education student for the summer only?
Yes! Students who participate in the Co-op Program may work spring, summer and/or fall semesters.
Can I set a minimum Grade Point Average requirement for my co-op positions?
Yes. Participation in the Co-op Program requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students. If your organization would like to set a higher minimum GPA requirement, you may.
Can I hire non-U.S. citizens?
Yes. Permanent residents and students studying on a non-resident visa (F-1) are eligible to participate in the Co-op Program. There are, however, specific deadlines and eligibility requirements that must be met. Please email
Do I have to guarantee the co-op student a job if I do not have work for them or if I am not satisfied with their work?
No. Virginia is a "right to work state" meaning that all parties involved are allowed to terminate the agreement of employment at any time. The Co-op Program does ask, however, that you make an effort to employ the student the entire 12 weeks as stated in the work commitment. We also ask that you address any issues that may impede a student from being successful in the position before terminating them. If the need arises, University Career Services is available to assist you in working with co-op students.
How do I get started recruiting a Mason student for a co-op position?
You may begin by posting a position in PatriotJobWeb. Review Employer Tips for information on designing a position, hiring, and supervising students.