Co-op and Experiential Learning

Boston Campus

Email contact: [email protected]

Toronto Campus

Email contact: [email protected]

Seattle Campus

Email contact: [email protected]

Bay Area (San Francisco/Silicon Valley) Campus

Email contact: [email protected]

Bay Area Office Hours Calendar

The Roux Institute (Portland) Campus

Email contact: [email protected]

The Roux Institute In-Person and Virtual Advising
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Opportunities at CPS

In the College of Professional Studies, experiential learning can meet your academic, professional, and personal needs. Through varied, flexible options, integrating experiential learning into your degree plan is a breeze.  

Co-op, Part-Time Co-op, and Experiential Learning at Work are all optional experiential learning activities offered in CPS. Students in CPS can also complete Experiential Network (XN) projects. These projects can be completed both in your classes and as an extracurricular activity. For more information on (XN) projects, visit the XN project website. 

Eligibility Requirements

If you are interested in engaging in a Co-op, Part-Time Co-op, or other experiential learning options, be sure you meet all the eligibility requirements.  

• International students must meet additional eligibility requirements for work authorization. Please see the “Experiential Learning for International Students” section. 
• A Co-op or Part-Time Co-op cannot take place in a student’s final term. Students must have at least one graduation-required course left to complete in the term after the Co-op or Part-Time Co-op.

Get Started

Understand Where and How Experiential Learning Can Fit into your Program: 

Meet with your Academic Advisor to: 

• Communicate your interest in experiential learning and discuss the various options 
• Discuss your course plan and where experiential learning can fit it considering the academic and other eligibility requirements for experiential learning and your program requirements 

Meet with your Co-op Advisor to: 

• Go over the process of engaging in an experiential learning opportunity and learn important deadlines and dates 
• Learn about the required courses to get credit and registrations to maintain status 
• Learn about the database of positions currently available to CPS students. Students are welcome to develop their own opportunities with employers not affiliated with our database, as long as the position meets the criteria for a Part-Time Co-op or Co-op and falls within the appropriate academic term timeframe. 
• Let us know your interest in experiential learning by completing the Intent to Participate Survey. By completing the Intent to Participate Survey, this will let us know that you are interested in incorporating experiential learning into your program and allow for easier communication between us and you so that you can stay as up to date as possible on events, workshops, Co-op openings, and much more.

Enroll in INT2000/INT6200: Preparing for Experiential Learning (optional) 

Your academic advisor can assist you in enrolling in the INT 6200 – Preparing for Experiential Learning- course if you are a graduate student or INT 2000 -Preparation for Experiential Learning – if you are an undergraduate student. This 1 credit course is not required for students who expect to self-develop their Co-op, but it is encouraged. For those students that will be searching for jobs through our Northeastern developed opportunities (including access to NUworks) and for those wishing to participate in an extracurricular XN project, there continues to be a requirement to successfully complete the INT course. 

International Students (US)

As an international student, you have the option to incorporate a Co-op, Part-Time Co-op, or XN Project into your program. We recommend you begin at the start of your degree to ensure it is integrated into your course of study—helping you take advantage of as many opportunities as possible while you are at Northeastern. 

Before you can participate in a Co-op, Part-Time Co-op, or XN project you must: 

• Download the International Student Co-op/Part-Time Co-op Checklist
  • Undergraduate Co-op/Part-Time Co-op Checklist
  • Graduate Co-op/Part-Time Co-op Checklist

• Enroll in INT 6200 (Graduate)/INT 2000 (Undergrad): Preparing for Experiential Learning (1 credit) to increase your likelihood of success (optional but recommended). 
• Obtain approval from your Co-op Advisor once you have an offer letter in hand 
• Apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization with your Co-op Advisor. See below for more details:
  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as alternative work/study, Part-Time or Full-time Co-op, cooperative education, or any other type of required practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
    • A student must complete one academic year (two semesters/three quarters) of full-time study in the US before being eligible for CPT.
    • CPT authorization is required for all unpaid and paid Co-op/Part-Time Co-op positions.
    • No final term CPT is authorized – must have at least one degree required course left to take in the term after Co-op/Part-Time Co-op.
    • If you have already completed your degree requirements, you cannot receive CPT authorization.
  • Students should submit their CPT Work Authorization Request at least 3 weeks before your desired start date, to ensure that there is enough time for their approval.
  • Students should submit their CPT E-form Request through the OGS office, after their Co-op is approved by the CPS Co-op Team. Students should use [email protected] as the Secondary Approver Email when prompted.

US based students who receive a paid position and do not have a social security number (SSN) must apply for an SSN once they have received CPT authorization. 

The OGS website will provide you with additional important information on procedures and forms to ensure legal authorization.

International Students (Canada)

How do I apply for a Co-op work permit and SIN Social Insurance Number?

• Please review the Co-op and work permit eligibility before applying: Co-op Work Permit – Office of Global Services
• If you haven’t received your Co-op work permit you may apply 3-4 months prior to your Co-op work term contact OGS Canada
• You may not start your Co-op position without a valid Co-op work permit in any capacity. In Canada, you also need a Social Insurance Number to work. 

Other Co-op Requirements

• Your Co-op duration must be less than 50% of your total program timeline with a maximum of six months
• You must be registered in an official Co-op course
• Your Co-op position must be full time (30+ hours per week)
• Summer Co-op positions must meet the requirements above, if you choose to work full time on your study permit in the summer, the position will not be considered as Co-op creditable work

Part-time work guidelines for international students in Canada

• During your study term, you may also work on your study permit for up to 20 hours per week
• During your Co-op term, legally, you may also work on your study permit for non-Co-op creditable work for up to 20 hours/week off-campus

Co-op Student Handbook

Click here to view the student handbook

Graduate Student Important Dates and Deadlines for Co-op

CPS Co-op Dates and Deadlines, Academic Year 2024-2025

Spring 24 Quarter Important Dates and Deadlines

Co-op Start Date Range: 4/8/2024 – 4/16/2024
End Date: 7/5/2024

Application Deadlines

Summer 24 Quarter Important Dates and Deadlines

Co-op Start Date Range: 7/8/2024 – 7/15/2024
End Date: 9/13/2024* Tentative

Application Deadlines

All Co-op and CPT applications should be submitted 3 weeks prior to the Co-op start date to ensure there is enough time for the approval process. All deadlines are FINAL. We will not be accepting late requests or submissions. All Dates are subject to change.

Undergraduate Student Important Dates and Deadlines for Co-op

CPS Co-op Dates and Deadlines, Academic Year 2024-2025

Summer 24 Semester Important Dates and Deadlines Section

Co-op Start Date Range: 5/6/2024-5/13/2024
End Dates: 8/30/2024 – 4 Month Summer Co-op * Tentative
1/3/2025 – 8 Month Summer/ Fall Co-op * Tentative

Application Deadlines

Summer II / Fall 24 Semester Important Dates and Deadlines

Co-op Start Date Range: 6/24/2023 – 7/17/2023
End Date: 1/3/2025 * Tentative

Application Deadlines

All Co-op and CPT applications should be submitted 3 weeks prior to the Co-op start date to ensure there is enough time for the approval process. All deadlines are FINAL. We will not be accepting late requests or submissions. Dates are subject to change.

US (Boston, Seattle, Bay Area, and Roux Institute)

The review process can take about 3 weeks. Please submit the request for Co-op at least 3 weeks before your desired start date.

• Boston based students please email [email protected] for application instructions.
• Seattle based students please email [email protected] for application instructions.
• Bay Area based students please email [email protected] for application instructions.
• Roux Institute based students please email [email protected] for application instructions.

Canada

The review process can take about 3 weeks. Please submit the request for Co-op at least 3 weeks before your desired start date.

• Toronto based students please email [email protected] for application instructions.
• Vancouver based students please email [email protected] for application instructions.