Cooperative Education

FAQs about the Co-op program

What is Cooperative Education? Cooperative education is a program in which classroom study is combined with a closely related work experience. Its basic purpose is to provide a means whereby a student can combine study at Cal Poly Pomona with work experience under the supervision of an employer in order to fulfill the total requirements of a particular educational program.  Cooperative Education blends theory and practice and provides relevance to a college education. It is a program which offers an innovative and expanded dimension to the education received by students at postsecondary institutions.

Cooperative education is viewed as being an integral part of Cal Poly Pomona’s curricular offerings and as being consistent with the educational goals of a polytechnic university. 

The co-op student enrolls in a cooperative education course and is under the guidance of a Cal Poly Pomona faculty member throughout the paid work experience.  Students work at an industrial site for approximately 20 hours per week when classes are in session and 20-40 hours per week during quarter break and summer.  Students can include this work experience on their resumes.

Student Eligibility for Co-op;

  • Must have at least junior class standing
  • Minimum GPA 2.0 or 3.0 for Graduate
  • Must be in good standing with the university
  • Student must maintain at least part-time status - full-time status may be required depending on employer
  • Co-op course must be taken every quarter/semester that Co-op job continues
  • If no course if offered through your college or university, one can be taken on campus through Extended University
  • The Co-op/internship must be offered as a credit course by the student's major
  • Student must be at least 3 quarters/semester from graduation
  • International students must complete a (CPT) Curricular Practical Traning form, every quarter/semester that they continue in Co-op

For questions regarding the program, please contact the Cooperative Education Coordinator at (909) 869-3434.