How to Get Started

Eligibility Requirements

Co-op-Checklist and Worksheet 

Students must have:

• 32+ completed RCNJ credits (Note: Transfer students need 16+ completed RCNJ credits)
• Minimum GPA of 2.0+ (Note: Certain employers may require a higher GPA)

Credit Options/Hour Requirements: Available in the fall, spring, and summer only.

• 2 credits: at least 120 hours within that semester based on start date
• 4 credits: at least 240 hours within that semester based on start date

Note: Students may earn up to eight academic credits from Cooperative Education courses in their academic career at Ramapo College.

Cooperative Education offers students the opportunity to:

• Obtain better direction for academic studies
• Enrich academic courses
• Earn academic credit towards graduation
• Combine theoretical and experiential learning
• Gain exposure to specialized facilities and equipment
• Work in another geographic area in the United States or abroad
• Increase interpersonal skills
• Develop confidence, maturity and responsibility
• Clarify career goals
• Test career choices
• Gain professional experience in chosen career fields
• Gain a competitive edge over students without relevant work experience
• Develop career research, resume writing and interviewing skills
• Earn income towards educational costs
• Increase the likelihood of higher starting salaries after graduation
• Bridge the gap between college and the work world

Cooperative Education Position Approval Guidelines

Co-op positions will be approved by the Career Center and co-op faculty advisors based on the following criteria:

• The work site must have the proper infrastructure to ensure a safe, properly guided learning experience.
• The position must provide an on-site work location, which means that the work site may not be in someone’s home, nor can the position be an on-the-road position.
• The position must provide daily supervision.
• The company or agency must be registered with the appropriate Department of Labor.
• The site must also have a published/working telephone number and if requested, promotional literature.
• The following types of positions will not be approved: jobs based on commission, entrepreneurial positions, telemarketing, or childcare.
• A student may not be permitted to work for a relative.
• The position must provide meaningful work experience related to the student’s major and/or career objectives.

Registration

Co-op is an academic course for which students request permission to register. The Career Center staff assists students throughout the year and will guide them through appropriate registration procedures.

After acceptance of a co-op Internship position, students must:

• Select and meet with a co-op faculty advisor to determine your learning objectives and academic assignment
• Request a (co-op) Experience on Handshake
• Meet with your career advisor
• Receive “Registration Permission”* from the Career Center in order to register
• Complete the appropriate form with Academic Advisement if the Pass/Fail option is selected.
• If an international student on a J1 or other visa, must obtain authorization from the international advisor and fill out the appropriate paper work
• Students must register through the “Self Service” link on “My Ramapo” to add the co-op course

* Note* (Registration authorization only gives permission to take the course).

Grading and Evaluation

At the completion of the co-op a three-way Evaluation takes place:

• Students are evaluated by their employer supervisor
• Students’ learning is assessed by their co-op faculty advisor who assigns a grade based on the quality of related academic assignments and the employer evaluation
• Students are given the opportunity to evaluate their completed co-op experience

Conversion

If students are already in positions or have recently acquired a new position on their own for which they wish to convert to co-op they must:

• Not have been in the position more than two years, or
• Demonstrate that new learning is taking place with expanded duties and responsibilities, new projects, etc.
• Submit a current resume
• Present a job description of previous duties as well as a job description on company letterhead of expanded duties while participating in co-op
• Present this information when requesting a (co-op) experience through Handshake, you must follow the registration steps outlined above

If a student wishes to remain at the same site for another co-op semester, he or she must submit a new letter from a work supervisor listing new responsibilities. This new learning will also be described on the co-op Learning Agreement. The student must then continue with the required registration procedures.

Employer, Faculty and Student Responsibilities

Co-ops create educational partnerships between Ramapo College of New Jersey faculty, students, and employers to combine classroom learning with practical work experience. This unique experiential opportunity allows students to earn academic credit, and often a salary.

Local, state, and national employers are matched with Ramapo College of New Jersey students who bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the workplace. These students are assigned to a variety of special projects and duties that blend academic requirements with company goals.

For more information click on the appropriate links which delineate Student, Employer, and Faculty Responsibilities for the Cooperative Education/Academic Internship program.

In order to participate:

• Meet with your Career Center advisor to draft a resume and get assistance in finding an internship/co-op.
• In order to receive credit, your co-op must meet program requirements and co-op faculty advisor approval.