Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE (CO-OP) AT DE ANZA COLLEGE?

• Co-op is an academic course where students can receive college credit for learning and gaining practical training experience on the job
• Co-op is a letter graded course, and an option for receiving elective credits that transfer to the CSU system
• Co-op units can be applied towards a De Anza College certificate or degree, and are counted as part of the 12 unit minimum requirement to be a full-time student
• Co-op is curricular practical training (CPT) for international students
• Co-op (occupational units ONLY) are VA acceptable units
• Co-op is a coaching/advising, career and academic development, independent study course that allows the student to learn and grow in the workplace

WHAT ARE THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS THAT STUDENTS MUST MEET?

• Be employed
• File a new application for each quarter of enrollment
• Attend and complete a Co-op orientation
• Understand the Co-op student handbook (see Student Handbook)
• Adhere to guidelines and timelines
• Meet with an assigned Co-op instructor
• Develop learning objectives, one per unit sought, and complete them during the quarter
• Arrange a meeting between student's supervisor and Co-op instructor
• Document employment hours (see Timecard form)
• Write a self-evaluation/reflection essay discussing learning objectives that were achieved during the quarter (see Student Handbook)
• Complete an individualized project. (To be discussed with instructor during the first meeting)
• Ensure on-going communication with Co-op instructor

DO STUDENTS GET CREDIT FOR WORKING?

• NO. Students get credit for the learning that takes place in the workplace
• Learning objectives are develop and performed at the students current workplace and documented for evaluation by the student's supervisor and Co-op instructor
• The learning objectives are to be achieved by the student during the current quarter of enrollment in Co-op
• The worksite becomes the observational study lab, the practical training ground, or the experiential learning environment for growth and improvement
• If the workplace does not provide for new or enhanced learning, it will not qualify for this course

CAN STUDENTS COMBINE MORE THAN ONE WORK AREA TO EARN CO-OP UNITS?

• NO. Students may use only ONE worksite to earn Co-op units

WHAT IS A LEARNING OBJECTIVE? THEY ARE:

• The core of this course
• A comprised action plan that emphasizes the connection of the student's academic studies to the workplace, or an action plan that identifies areas of skill-building or professional development needed in the student's current employment
• The development of skills and academic understanding
• A SMART (Specific, meaningful/measurable, action oriented, realistic, and timely) principle that is applicable to the student's occupational development and/or academic goal

WHO DEVELOPS THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES?

• The learning objectives are developed collaboratively by the student, his/her supervisor, and are approved by the Co-op instructor

WHO EVALUATES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES?

• The learning objectives are evaluated by the student's supervisor
• The student evaluates his/her own achievement and performance of the learning objectives though a process of a self-evaluation/reflection essay
• The instructor awards credit for the evaluation and finalizes the student's grade

HOW MANY LEARNING OBJECTIVES DOES A STUDENT NEED TO DEVELOP?

• A minimum of one learning objective is the standard requirement for each unit of Co-op enrollment
• New learning objectives are required when students repeat the course

CAN UNITS BE ADDED OR DECREASED THROUGH OUT THE QUARTER?

• Units can be added or decreased during the add/drop period (see A&R policies for dates)
• Units will be decreased at the end of the quarter if the student has been unable to complete the minimum hours of work required to earned the number of units originally enrolled for
  • No student will be refunded if student was not able to complete original hours or decides to drop the course after the deadlines (see A&R policies and procedures)

ARE THESE UNITS ELIGIBLE FOR VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION (VA) BENEFITS?

• YES. As long the student's work relates directly to his/her college major (occupational only)
• It is recommended that the VA student speak with the VA office prior to Co-op enrollment
• The VA office is located inside the Admissions and Records Office www.deanza.edu/veterans

DISTANCE LEARNING VS REGULAR CO-OP - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

• None. Distance learning attracts a different student population

IS CREDIT GRANTED TO UNPAID INTERNSHIPS?

• NO. Credit is given for paid positions only
• Payment should equal no less then minimum wage per hour
• All Labor Law regulations must be followed

DO UNPAID INTERNSHIPS, DURING WHICH A COMPANY REQUIRES STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN A CO-OP/WORK EXPERIENCE COURSE, QUALIFY FOR CO-OP?

• NO. Internship must be paid

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING AND CO-OP?

• International Students may work off-campus by using a paid internship as their Curricular Practical Training (CPT). To do so, the student must receive approval from the International Student's office and enroll in Co-op. The student's paid internship, CPT, and Co-op class are one and the same.

WHAT IS THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS?

• A completed Co-op application must be submitted to the Co-op office each quarter of enrollment
• Students must ensure the approval for learning on the job from their current worksite supervisor
• Pre-registration without submitting an application does not guarantee a place in class
• Application may be downloaded from the Co-op website or picked up at the Co-op office
• The Co-op website is: www.deanza.edu/cooperative
• Competed applications may be faxed or scanned and e-mailed to the office
• Enrollment varies from quarter to quarter and can be limited

WHAT IS THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

• The international student should

1. Speak with the International Student Program advisor to ensure eligibility and understanding of CPT requirements www.deanza.edu/international
2. Ensure he/she has employment/internship PRIOR to enrollment in Co-op
3. Secure a letter of acceptance from the organization providing the employment/internship

• The student may register for Co-op after the enrollment process described above is completed
• NOTE: Employment/internships that begin mid-quarter do not qualify for this program

HOW MANY CO-OP UNITS CAN A STUDENT SIGN UP FOR?

• Students may sign up for only one Co-op course at a time
• A minimum of 50 hours of paid employment or 40 hours of civic engagement allows the student to earn one unit of credit. Unpaid internships do not qualify for this course
• Students may sign up for one, two, four, six or eight units in either, the occupational or general Co-op courses during each quarter (see schedule of classes for courses offered)

CAN THIS COURSE BE REPEATED?

• YES. The course may be repeated up to its program unit limit
• Note: New learning objectives must be developed each quarter

WHAT IS THE UNIT LIMIT?

• The unit limit is eight units per quarterly enrollment
• The unit limit for the Occupational Work Experience Program is 24
• The unit limit for the General Work Experience Program is 9
• The maximum number of units students may earn is 24-quarter units or 16 semester units, including a combination of all Co-op courses/programs taken at any college

CAN UNIT EXCEPTIONS BE MADE?

• NO. The State of California sets the regulations for awarding credit for work experience

DO ALL JOBS QUALIFY FOR CO-OP UNITS?

• YES, as long as
  • The worksite allows for new or expanded learning to take place
  • The position is paid
  • The worksite is local

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL & GENERAL COURSES?

• Occupational Work Experience courses are designed for students working in a field directly related to their academic major or career goal (Unit limit is 24)
• General Work Experience courses are designed for students who are undecided of their college major or their work is not related to their academic goal (Unit limit is 9)

ARE ALL COURSES OFFERED EVERY QUARTER?

• NO. Check the schedule of classes for courses offered

CAN STUDENTS SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE AT ANY TIME?

• NO. Students may pre-register during the appropriate registration periods

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR ADDING THIS COURSE?

• Students may pre-register and submit their application prior to the first day of the quarter
• Students may add the course during the first two weeks of the quarter, ONLY if space is available
• NOTE: The summer quarter is six weeks. Students may add up to the first day of the quarter, ONLY if space is available

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR DROPPING THIS COURSE?

• Students should refer to the schedule of classes for timelines
• The Co-op program follows all rules and regulations set forth by the De Anza College Catalog
• Dropping the course may result in the student receiving a "W" grade, depending on drop date
• Not dropping the course and not completing the coursework, will result in an "F" grade
• Dropping the course is the student's responsibility

ARE INCOMPLETES GRADES GIVEN IN THIS COURSE?

• NO. If the student has a problem, they should speak with the instructor, the program coordinator, or the Division Dean

WHAT IF THE STUDENT LOSSES EMPLOYMENT?

• A student may be able to receive partial credit as long as he/she was able to completed a number of hours required for one or more units; has achieved one or more learning objectives, has received the former supervisor's evaluation
• Students should notify their Co-op instructor or the office to determine qualification for partial units, or whether the course should be dropped
• If the job is lost at the beginning of the quarter, student MUST drop

IS CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT IN DE ANZA COURSES REQUIRED TO TAKE CO-OP?

• NO. New Title V regulations allow students to take Co-op courses without additional enrollment
• Stand alone co-op courses may be taken up to their program limit (See unit limit)
• Students are advised to meet with their counselors, academic advisors, or program advisors to determine the appropriate enrollment in this program
• CPT, VA, EOPS, Financial Aid, and other programs may require students enrollment in additional courses and to follow a specific academic plan (see counselor or advisor)

CAN THESE COURSES SUBSTITUTE FOR A REQUIRED COURSE?

• NO. Co-op courses do not substitute a required course
• Co-op units can, however, count towards elective units for a De Anza certificate or degree

DO THESE COURSES TRANSFER?

• YES. This courses transfer to the CSU system, but not the UC system
• Private universities such as Notre Dame De Namur University, University of San Francisco, St. Mary's College and other institutions recommend and accept these Co-op units
• Students should check with their respective counselor and/or institution for transfer requirements and eligibility

HOW ARE STUDENTS GRADED?

• Grades are awarded on a point system. Please review student handbook for breakdown on points.

WHO GRADES STUDENTS?

• Their Co-op instructor grades students

WHO ARE THE CO-OP INSTRUCTORS?

• All Co-op instructors are part-time De Anza faculty members
• Some instructors are retired professionals
• Other instructors are full-time professionals

HOW DO I KNOW MY INSTRUCTOR'S NAME?

• Students will be informed of their instructor's name and contact information after they complete their Co-op application