Co-Operative Education

Start your career before you even complete your degree.

Co-Op
What is It?
We take real-world learning as seriously as classroom instruction. You'll mix in-class time with work experience as a paid employee working within your area of study. Top employers participate  in four different tracks: Traditional, Research, Internship, and Global Engineering.

I completed my co-op with NASA, researching a drug delivery system to protect astronauts against radiation. Then, I landed a grant from the European Space Agency. A Speed School degree gets results!

Ishita Jain, Bioengineering, c/o 2018
$ 34K

Co-op Students can earn over $34,000 before graduation

Co-op Benefits
  • Go beyond classroom learning.
  • Gain job skills and knowledge before graduation.
  • Establish a professional network.
  • Reduce debt as you complete your degree.
  • Familiarize yourself with the job search process.
200

Leading Employers Currently Offer On-The-Job Training

How Does Co-op Work?

How Does Co-op Work?

Co-op is mandatory for Speed School students earning their Bachelor of Science degree. One year (i.e., 3 semesters) of total participation is required between sophomore and senior years. Students receive 1 semester hour of credit for each Co-op period.

Students build relationships with employers, gradually gaining responsibility, skills, and knowledge.

To qualify:

  • Declare an Engineering major
  • Be admitted into a major department
  • Be in good academic standing (2.25 GPA or higher)
  • Take a 0-credit hour Co-op seminar, prior to the first Co-op, topics cover: job search and engineering career success

I’ve come to appreciate how complicated the factory process is. And I’ve learned that the process of manufacturing any product is a hundred times more complicated than the product itself. That’s really been humbling to learn.

Carlton Jenkins, Electrical & Computer Engineering
200+ Co-op Partners

From automotive to consumer products to technology, there’s a Co-op for everyone:

Siemens Logo
Michelin Logo
Brown Forman Logo
Exxon Mobil Logo
NASA Logo
UPS Logo
Samtec Logo
Ford Logo
General Electric Logo
AGC Logo
98

years of students benefiting from co-op

4 Co-Op Tracks

Traditional

Our most sought after Co-Op track defines the overall requirements: 3 semesters of on-the-job training between students' second and fourth years, which develops a career trajectory with a specific employer. This option provides the highest level of leadership and progressive experience resulting in in-depth engineering skills.

Research

Focuses on research activities and courses, particularly for students aspiring to a higher level degree – M.S. or PhD. (This is an application-nomination based program.)

Internship

Provides an opportunity for students to create a self-directed Co-Op experience according to their area of study with three different employers that are primarily outside of the Louisville area. This track is designed to provide a wide range of experience and exploration.

Global Engineering

With opportunities to study abroad, Global Engineering emphasizes 4 areas of intercultural knowledge for students: curricular, co-curricular, experiential education, and critical reflection.

Traditional Milestones for Co-Op

2
Year 2
Summer:
Academic Studies
Fall:
Academic Studies
Spring:
Co-Op #1 *
3
Year 3
Summer:
Academic Studies
Fall:
Co-Op #2 *
Spring:
Academic Studies
4
Year 4
Summer:
Co-Op #3 *
Fall:
Academic Studies
Spring:
Academic Studies *

*Bioengineering Co-Ops follow a different schedule: Fall of Year 3, Summer of Year 4, and Spring of Year 4.

Resources
Career Services

We want every Speed School graduate to find a fulfilling career. Co-Op is just the first step. Our Career Development Office is your resource for career counseling, networking, and training.

Need more information?

Already a Co-Op Student or Partner?
/