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
Toyota Logo
UPS Logo
Samtec Logo
Ford Logo
General Electric Logo
AGC Logo
95

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?
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