Co-Ops
Sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate students in good academic standing (minimum 2.5 GPA) may apply for a co-op. Students on academic probation are not eligible. Students must return at least one quarter following the co-op assignment, must comply with company policies and procedures, and follow through to completion any assigned projects. A co-op is not available to students who have graduated. In general, a co-op experience does not earn academic credit toward an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Career Services can help you explore career options, prepare for your internship/job search, connect with employers, and more! Please visit their website for information on the services and resources they provide.
The Career Services staff is responsible for co-op recruitment, which includes working with employers, creating co-op opportunities, and listing positions through MustangJOBS. They will work with students, advising them on the value and benefits of co-op participation and assist them with the job search process.
A student may be recruited by Career Services, or introduced through a corporate partner or faculty advisor.
There are two options for managing the time that they will not be on the campus:
- Request a Leave of Absence: maintains continuous enrollment; no tuition, but may impact financial aid, OR
- Enroll in ENGR 493/94/95: maintains continuous enrollment; pay tuition and maintain eligibility for financial aid.
Once a student secures a position, they should contact the department. The student is responsible for submitting all related co-op forms.
- Students must fill in a co-op Work Information for (see below) and get the signature from the department chair before they leave for the co-op experience.
- A Leave of Absence form must be submitted to the Registrar by the add/drop date of the term the leave begins. (i.e. student must turn in their form by the add/drop deadline for Winter Qtr. if they will be away Winter Qtr.). Students should consider the effect a leave may have on their loan status, as lenders may count the leave period as part of the total grace period. Students who receive loan disbursements directly may be require to repay portions of their loan. Cal Poly provides enrollment status to the National Loan Clearing House. For questions regarding loan status, please contact the Cal Poly Student Financial Services Office.
- Enroll in ENGR 493 (2 units), 494 (6 units), or 495 (12 units) for quarters the student is working at the co-op (Fall, Winter, Spring, but not Summer); note that these courses are CR/NC and do not earn academic credit toward a degree.
Upon return, students must complete a Student Evaluation Form (see below) and submit it to the department chair before a grades for ENGR 493/4/5 will be assigned.