Credits, grading, and seminar
Earning credits
The number of credits earned is based on the amount of time you spend working. A minimum of 30 hours per credit is required. So, how much credit you will earn depends on the time requirements of the employer, your availability, and course requirements. You may repeat cooperative education training at one site, or you may train with more than one employer. Program requirements may vary.
Some programs require cooperative education; others consider it an elective course. Your advisor or the college catalog can explain how co-op fits into the degree requirements for your major. In most cases, co-op credits transfer to universities as electives. Check with the admissions office of your transfer institution to find out if your co-op credit will be counted.
Grading
You must complete the agreed-upon number of hours to earn credit. Your training agreement and learning objective (find forms here: getting started) must be on file with your instructor and/or specialist. Some programs may require additional forms. The employer evaluation must be completed and must indicate satisfactory job performance for you to receive a passing grade. Instructors may also require additional assignments. For most programs, co-op work experience is graded on a “pass/no pass” basis. Seminars are graded separately.
The co-op seminar
Seminars are required for some programs. Check with your Career Services specialist or the PCC catalog to see if your program requires a seminar.
Seminars vary from 1-3 credits. In most cases, you will have a weekly class meeting with your instructor to help you develop skills to enhance your success as an employee. In some cases, you and your instructor may plan an individualized set of assignments and there is no weekly class meeting.