Policy

Co-operative Education is available for credit to Ramapo College students through the co-op program in the Cahill Center.

Reason for Policy

To provide Ramapo College students with the opportunity to enroll in appropriate co-ops while simultaneously ensuring the academic integrity of the co-op program.

To Whom Does the Policy Apply

All Ramapo faculty, adjunct faculty, and professional staff who teach.

Related Documents

Ramapo College Catalog, Ethical Conduct Agreement,

Cahill Center forms: http://ww2.ramapo.edu/cahill/advisors/co-op.aspx

Contacts

Office of the Provost:  201-684-7532

Co-operative Education Program Procedure

The following procedures apply to all undergraduate students applying for participation in co-operative education.

• Students interested in the co-operative education program (co-op) must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Completion of at least 32 credits;
2. Completion of at least 16 credits at Ramapo;
3. Minimum 2.0 cumulative and major GPA.

Exceptions to any of these requirements must be approved by the Director of the Cahill Center.

• Eligible students must submit the on-line application form and the Ethical Conduct Agreement and the Co-operative Education Learning Agreement to their Cahill Center career advisor and register for the program by the established deadlines.
• For fall and spring, co-op positions must be the length of the academic semester and a minimum of  sixteen hours per week for a 4-credit coop totaling 240 hours and eight hours per week for a 2-credit coop totaling 120 hours. Summer co-op positions must begin the first week of the full summer session  and last for 11 weeks with a minimum of 22 hours per week for a 4-credit coop and 11 hours for a 2-credit coop. Students must complete a total of 4 credits to satisfy a cooperative education program requirement.

• Existing jobs may be converted into a co-op position if the following criteria is met:
  • the student has held the position for fewer than two years;
  • the student and supervisor can demonstrate that new learning will take place with expanded duties and responsibilities, new projects, etc.;
  • the employer must submit a job description on company or institutional letterhead of previous duties as well as a job description that includes the expanded duties while participating in the co-op;
  • the career advisor, along with the co-op faculty advisor, will determine the suitability of the position. If approved, the program registration steps must be followed.

If a student wishes to remain at the same site for an additional semester, he or she must submit a new letter from a work supervisor listing new responsibilities. The student will also complete a new learning agreement and follow the required registration procedures.

• Each successfully completed co-op course is awarded four (4) credits. Students may apply two co-ops (8 credits) towards graduation. If a student completes additional co-ops, the student will receive credit for them, but not credit that counts towards the 128 credits required for graduation. For example, if a student completes three (3) co-ops, two (2) co-ops will count towards graduation, while the other co-op will count as additional credits beyond the 128 credits required for graduation. If a student intends to take more than two (2) co-ops after making arrangements in the Cahill Center, the student must register in person in the Registrar’s Office by completing an additional form describing the credits applied toward graduation agreement.
• Co-op students must complete a Learning Agreement approved by their faculty advisor, career advisor, and employment supervisor. Students are required to attend both orientation and reflection sessions for the program.
• Faculty assign grades to co-op students based on the objectives in their Learning Agreements, on their employer evaluations, and on their academic assignments.

International students must see the International Student Officer at the Roukema Center (ASB-123) for International Education and complete additional paperwork to remain in visa compliance. In compliance with work visa regulations, international students are limited to work 11 weeks over the summer (from the first day of summer session 1 through summer session 2). International students will be required to complete additional academic assignments to account for working one less week.