Cooperative Education Program

• The Cooperative Education Program
• Employer Co-op Brochure
• Frequently Asked Questions
• F-1 Employment Brochure
• The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS)
• Information on Curricular Practical Training
• Employer Co-op Handbook

The Cooperative Education Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the Cooperative Education Program at George Mason University:

1) What is Cooperative Education?

The National Commission for Cooperative Education, adopted the following operational definition:
"College Cooperative Education is formally recognized as an academic program integrating classroom learning and productive work experiences in a field related to a students academic and career goals. Co-op provides students with progressive learning experiences integrating theory and practice. As an academic program, Co-op serves as a partnership among students, educational institutions, and employers."

More specifically here at George Mason University Cooperative Education is a structured program through which students who meet specific eligibility requirements gain paid, professional level work experience related to their major and career plans and ideally the Cooperative Education Program will establish a mutually beneficial relationship, which includes the student, the employer, and George Mason University.

2) What is the advantage of Cooperative Education vs. internship?

There are several advantages to hiring a Coop student. First, by participating in the Cooperative Education Program, the student employee can participate in the employer's immediate and long-term projects or initiatives as the student is required to work a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks (full-time = 33 - 40 hours/week and part-time = 15 - 32 hours/week).

Secondly, the 12 consecutive weeks work commitment may provide an opportunity for the employer to successfully evaluate the students fit within the organization. While a student is cooping at an organization, the student will demonstrate their professional skills and abilities as well as their academic knowledge while performing work duties. Thus, the Cooperative Education Program may serve as a cost-effective vehicle to address and fill recruitment needs.

Also, once a Cooperative Education student is employed at your organization, they may allow your other employees to take on new advanced responsibilities, which can further advance your organizations business goals.

Finally, students may bring the latest technical skills, new ideas and perspectives, as well as energy that may be beneficial in addressing business concerns. The National Commission for Cooperative Education has identified additional benefits.

3) What types of employers participate in Cooperative Education Programs?

Almost 50,000 employers participate in Cooperative Education, including multinational corporations, small businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. (Resource Guide to the Best of Co-op; published by National Commission for Cooperative Education.) Here at George Mason University, any employer can participate in the Cooperative Education Program provided the following requirements are fulfilled:

• the projects/responsibilities of the Cooperative Education position directly relate to an academic major or field of study for the student filling the Coop position,
• the responsibilities continue to progress and advance in complexity in accordance with the student's academic advancement,
• the rate of pay for the Cooperative Education position is comparable to and competitive with the industry standard for the specific level of skills, abilities, and knowledge the student brings to the position and
• a formal written evaluation provided by the Career Services office will occur every semester between the student and his/her supervisor as well as both student and supervisor will participate in a prearranged site or phone visit with a member of the Career Services counseling team.

4) What exactly do I need to do to participate in the Cooperative Education
Program at George Mason University?

The hiring process to fill a position with a student in the Cooperative Education Program mirrors that of an intern or temporary employee.

1. determine your companies hiring needs
2. develop a job description
3. identify a supervisor that the student will report directly to,
4. advertise the position in PatriotJobWeb,
5. interview candidates,
6. make an offer and finally
7. complete the required Mason Cooperative Education Work Agreement forms;

Cooperative Education Work Agreement for F-1 Visa Holder
Cooperative Education Work Agreement for US Citizen/Permanent Resident
Cooperative Education Position Description

5) Is there a minimum salary rate for a Cooperative Education position?  Do you have a pay scale of the average salaries for students who participate in the Cooperative Education Program?

Each employer determines the salaries and benefits for their own positions and Cooperative Education employees. Although the rate of pay for a Cooperative Education position will vary according to career field, industry type, level of responsibilities, and student preparedness for position, typical salaries range between $9.00-$30.00/hour depending on a student's academic major. We conduct a salary survey once a year of all students currently involved with the Cooperative Education Program here at Mason and the salaries for 2006 - 2007 are listed below. Also, the National Association of Colleges and Employers published a Cooperative Education/Internship survey.  Finally, the Office of Personnel Management, the federal government's human resources agency, published salary information including grade level and steps for positions.

Mason Cooperative Education Salary Survey 2007 - 2008**

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM Field/Major Average Hourly Wage      Accounting $ 14.59      Civil& Infrastructure Engineering $ 20.00      Communication $ 13.60      Computer Engineering $ 17.21      Computer Science $ 16.23      Economics $ 10.00      Electrical Engineering $ 15.55      Finance $ 13.63      Government/International Politics $ 15.72      Health Science $ 10.00      Information Security $ 14.74      Management $ 14.67 GRADUATE PROGRAM Field/Major Average Hourly Wage      Bioinformatics $ 14.44      Civil & Infrastrucure Engineering $ 21.35      Communications $ 15.00      Computational Science $ 26.32      Computer Engineering $ 24.17      Computer Science $ 25.09      E-Commerce $ 23.50      Economics $ 17.51      Electrical/Computer Engineering $ 20.60      Environmental Science $ 12.00      Information Systems $ 18.49      Information Technology $ 23.89      International Commerce $ 19.26      Public Administration $ 21.84      Public Policy $ 17.80      Sciences $ 20.49      Software Engineering $ 22.18      Telecommunications $ 18.12

** All Mason majors are not represented. Please contact University Career Services to speak with a counselor concerning salary information for majors not included.

6) How many hours per week can a Cooperative Education student work?

A Co-op student may work either full time or part-time. Full-time is defined as 33 - 40 hours/week and part-time is defined as 15 - 32 hours/week. Also, students on F-1 visas may have work restrictions. Please contact the Cooperative Education Program Assistant if you have questions.

7) Can I hire a Co-op student for the summer only?

Yes!  Students who participate in the Cooperative Education Program may work Spring, Summer and/or Fall semester.

8) Can I set a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for my Cooperative Education positions?

Yes.  Although the Cooperative Education program requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate's students, if your organization would like to set a higher minimum GPA requirement, it is acceptable and permissible.

9) Can I hire non-US citizens?

Yes. Permanent Residents and students studying on a nonresident visa (F-1) are eligible to participate in the Cooperative Education Program. Although there are specific deadlines and eligibility requirements involved to hire students on F-1 visas, please contact the Cooperative Education Program Assistant at 703-993-2365 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM or email COOP@gmu.edu for more information. Also, there are no additional fees or charges to employ students studying on a nonresident visa (F-1).

10) Do I have to guarantee the Co-op student a job even if I do not have work for them or if I am not satisfied with their work?

No. The State of Virginia is a "right to work state" and all parties involved are able to terminate the agreement of employment at any time. The Cooperative Education Program does ask that you make a good faith effort to both employ the student through the 12 consecutive week work commitment as well as address any issues or situations that may impede a student from being successful in the position before termination occurs. We are also available to serve as a resource and assist you in working with a Cooperative Education student, if the need arises.

11) How do I get started recruiting a George Mason University Student for a Cooperative Education position?

Instructions for posting a position in PatriotJobWeb.

For additional information on recruiting here at Mason, including tips on designing a position, recruiting/hiring for a position, and supervising students, please review Employer Tips.

12) Can I interview students on campus?

Once you have identified candidates, you may conduct interviews on site at your company or here in University Career Services. For more information or to arrange for interviews to occur in Career Services, email the On-Campus Interview Coordinator: Elizabeth Heyerdahl.

13) How often do I evaluate the Cooperative Education Student?

Once a semester, University Career Services will send an evaluation form to be completed by both the Cooperative Education Student and his/her supervisor. In addition to the written evaluation form, an on-site or phone evaluation will occur during the middle of the semester with a member of the Career Services counseling team. The on-site/phone evaluation takes approximately 45 minutes. For the written evaluation, University Career Services will forward the evaluation forms, however, employers may elect to use an internal performance review form which is acceptable.

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