University of South Florida

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a USF course administered by the Career Center that integrates hands-on, paid, career-related work experience with your academic program and provides you with valuable training in your chosen career field.

Co-op may last from one semester to several semesters depending upon the commitment from student and employer. There are two course options: full-time or part-time, for which you register if you receive a Co-op training offer.

Co-op is a great way to check out your tentative career before you graduate, get a foot in the door of a company you might like to work for permanently, and give you the training and experience employers are looking for. Co-op is the only course at USF you'll be paid to take!

Types of Co-op (Training Plans)

• Alternating Plan - A full-time semester of work, consisting of 40 hours a week, followed by a full time semester of study, then repeated again - if applicable.
• Parallel Plan - Classes and part-time work during the same semester.

Eligibility Requirements
Students must be officially admitted to the university on a degree-seeking basis, and have a declared major, or be accepted into a limited access program, with a career goal for which the student wishes to obtain career-related experience.

Undergraduate Students must have completed at least 45 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.5; transfer students must meet this criteria AND have completed at least one semester of coursework (6 hours) at USF.

Graduate Students, in addition to being degree-seeking, must be officially accepted into an academic department and be enrolled in at least one class required for their USF degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

International Students must complete an Eligibility Clearance Form which must be taken to the International Student Scholar Services Office to be signed for approval to participate in the Co-op Program.

To apply for Co-op:

• Have an active Career Connections account in the Career Center. It is strongly recommended that you meet with your career counselor to critique your resume to ensure a smooth application process. Your resume must meet the standard of the sample Co-op resume.
• Read and submit the Co-op orientation and application.

Co-op forms for current Co-op students (does not include application)

Frequently asked questions

Sample of Co-op employers

Sample Co-op resume

Office Hours: M-F: 8am-5pm
Walk-in Hours: Mon/Wed/Thur, 10 - 3 & Tues, 10 - 12:30, Fall/Spring