ACADEMIC INFORMATION

UNDERGRADUATE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM

In the fall of 2002, the Cooperative Division of Georgia Tech reorganized into the Division of Professional Practice. This unit offers the traditional Cooperative Plan of education as well as Undergraduate Professional Internships, Graduate Co-op Program, and the Work Abroad Program. The Co-op option has been offered to undergraduates since 1912, and is the fourth oldest program of its kind in the world. It is a five-year, totally optional plan for undergraduates who wish to combine career-related experience with classroom studies. Students who enroll in this program alternate between industrial assignments and classroom studies on a semester basis, taking the same course work on the campus that is completed by regular students. Graduates of the program are awarded a degree in their field with the designation “Cooperative Plan.” The Co-op Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education, and for seven consecutive years has been listed as one of the top 10 “Programs to Look For” by U.S. News & World Report.

Students who participate in Undergraduate Co-op have the opportunity to develop career interests, become more confident in their career choices, and develop human relation skills through their work experiences. Since all Co-op positions are paid, students are able to save a portion of their salaries to apply toward educational expenses. Approximately 1,000 employers participate throughout the U.S. and internationally. With average starting salaries over $14 per hour for undergraduate students, the aggregate amount earned last year by all undergraduate co-ops was about $18 million.

The Georgia Tech Internship program had its first students participating in the Spring Semester 2003. This program is geared toward those students who, for some reason could not or did not participate in Co-op, but desire some career-related experience before graduation. Aimed mainly at rising juniors and seniors, hundreds of students have been able to take advantage of the Internship program since its inception. Intern students may work any semester of the year and maintain full-time student status.

As part of the International Plan which began at Georgia Tech in 2005, the Work Abroad Program was established to provide students opportunities to practice their respective professions outside the United States, and be immersed into a different culture. Being able to gain relevant work experience in a totally different environment is extremely rewarding, and can be very challenging. This past year, over 100 students worked abroad in 25 different countries on 5 continents. Countries of employment include: Germany, France, India, China, and many others. A full-time director and administrative staff are in place to assist students both on the undergraduate and graduate level who are interested in obtaining this type of experience.

Source: Office of the Executive Director, Division of Professional Practice