Internship
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION IN THE USA
Cooperative Education (Ño-Op) is a structured academic program designed to enhance the quality and breadth of learning by providing qualified undergraduate and graduate students the option of integrating academic study with related, work based learning. Students enroll in alternating semesters of full-time study and part-time, paid employment. The awarding of a Cooperative Education Program Certificate requires a minimum of twelve months of full-time work and fulfillment of additional program requirements including degree completion.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Any student who has been admitted to a regular master’s degree program is eligible to select this internship program.
• Evidence of English proficiency, or a minimum TOEFL score of 500 for BSBA or 550 for MBA or the equivalent on another standardized English proficiency test.
• To get F-1 visa
BENEFITS OF THE CO-OP PROGRAM
• The practical training that students receive by working in an American Company gives them skills and experience that cannot be obtained in a normal classroom-only education format, thus giving an advantage in achieving life goals after graduation.
• The wages that are paid to the students for their CPT (Curricular Practical Program) employment are equal to the wages paid to domestic employees in the same kind of employment. Net earnings are retained by the students and used for their personal or educational needs.
• Students can choose either part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (20 to 40 hours per week) employment. This can continue for the entire duration of the master's program, as each student may choose.
• Students participating in this optional program must remain in good standing and be full-time students.
• Where possible, class schedules will be arranged so as to facilitate this option. University offers daytime, evening and weekend classes.
• Co-op program is authorized by the US government.
EMPLOYEMENT
• The UNVA master's CPT program consists of 16 courses over a period of approximately 15 months, depending on the students course load. The internship employment is required for at least eleven months of a student's master's degree program. However, if the student chooses to be employed for longer than eleven months, he/she may continue CPT employment for as long as he/she chooses. Please note, that if full-time CPT employment lasts more than twelve months, the student may lose the right to the Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is allowed to students after graduation.
• Each student is responsible for locating, interviewing for and obtaining an internship position. However, assistance with preparing students for getting CPT employment will be provided in the special additional courses that are required to be taken in the Co-Op program. Where possible, students will be offered networking contacts to assist in obtaining employment.
• Students are allowed to obtain any employment which is related to an integral part of the curriculum in the student's major field of study.
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