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Cooperative EducationImage of text - 20 Years of Learning through Experience

Welcome

Co-op is short for cooperative education, a nationally recognized academic training program that involves partnerships between students, employers, and IPFW. This academic enhancement program gives you the opportunity to explore how classroom theory relates to actual employment opportunities, while you remain an IPFW student. The Program is highly successful and has a proven history of benefits to students, employers, and IPFW.

  • 2,231 co-ops worked with 242 employers in northeast Indiana, Alabama, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Tennessee in the past 20 years of the Program
  • 94% of IPFW Co-op students persist to graduation 
  • 91% of IPFW Co-op graduates land career–related jobs within 1-2  months of graduation
  • 75% of IPFW Co-ops accept full-time career-related jobs with Co-op employers
  • 5-25% above entry level salary is what IPFW Co-op graduates can expect when they enter the workforce

You receive a competitive wage and earn academic credit while working two or more semesters with an employer from the Greater Fort Wayne area or you can go to another state. The choice is yours.

Local employers provide outstanding co-op opportunities in the Schools of Arts and Sciences; Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science; Richard T. Doermer Business and Management Sciences; and the Division of Organizational Leadership and Supervision.

Faculty co-op coordinators approve all employers who request students. Also they approve your application based on departmental criteria. Upon approval, you are ready to begin the interview process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Areas of Interest

For More Information

Students interested in the program may contact the OACS at (260) 481-6939 or by email at reed@ipfw.edu.

Employers interested in the program may contact Deb Barrick.

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