Widener

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Welcome Widener parents! We are happy to have you as an active part of your son or daughter's co-op experience. Our program has been placing Widener students for over 30 years with the region's top employers. Although we do not guarantee 100% co-op employment, we still hold the record of placing all students wishing to participate. Please spend some time learning more about our program with the links below. We are also happy to speak with you in more detail about your questions and thoughts.

What is Co-op?

The Co-op program provides students with a well-balanced combination of classroom study and work experience. The program is available to students in the School of Business Administration, School of Engineering, and to students majoring in Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.

How can my student participate?

The first step to participation is getting registered, interested students can go directly to our Registration Form online. Once registered, students are added to our database of potential co-op students and will receive emails and updates about current workshops and orientations from our Co-op Staff.

It is the responsibility of every student to visit our office, prepare for interviews, and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. If you have any questions regarding the program please call our office at 610-499-4045 or email me at casingle@widener.edu

How does the Co-op program operate?

Students may select any of the following co-op schedules or may create their own schedule with approval from co-op and their academic advisor.

Traditional Co-op Schedule (12 months)

	SUMMER	FALL	SPRING
FRESHMAN	-	Study	Study
SOPHOMORE	Study	Work	Study
JUNIOR	Study	Study	Work
SENIOR	Work	Study	Study

Option 1 (8 months)

	SUMMER	FALL	SPRING
FRESHMAN	-	Study	Study
SOPHOMORE	-	Study	Study
JUNIOR	Study	Study	Work
SENIOR	Work	Study	Study

Option 2 (4 months)

	SUMMER	FALL	SPRING
FRESHMAN	-	Study	Study
SOPHOMORE	Study	Work	Study
JUNIOR	-	Study	Work
SENIOR	-	Study	Study

Option 3 (8 months)

	SUMMER	FALL	SPRING
FRESHMAN	-	Study	Study
SOPHOMORE	Study	Work	Study
JUNIOR	Study	Work	Study
SENIOR	-	Study	Study

Division of Sciences only (3–9 months)

	SUMMER	FALL	SPRING
FRESHMAN	-	Study	Study
SOPHOMORE	Work	Study	Study
JUNIOR	Work	Study	Study
SENIOR	Work	Study	Study

Occasionally, due to athletics, academic, or other reasons, students may elect to alter this schedule in collaboration with the co-op office and their academic advisor.

How does Co-op affect Financial Aid, Housing, Tuition, and Graduation?

Liaisons in financial aid, housing, and registration will assist you to ensure a smooth and successful transition between school and work sessions. While on work assignments, co-op students are considered full-time students since work rotations are viewed as part of the academic program.

Full tuition must be paid for the summer semesters that are spend doing full-time student. The first summer replaces the fall semester of the sophomore year and the second summer replaced the fall semester of the junior year. Since the summer semesters become required academic semesters for co-op students, financial aid is available. There are no tuition charges for the two work terms, so no financial aid is needed during that time.

As long as your student does not deviate much from our standard work term schedule then financial aid will not be affected. Financial aid is only if three academic semester occur in one financial aid year, which begins in the summer term and ends in the summer term. Although financial aid collects salary information while your student is on co-op, no student has ever lost financial aid as a result.

Student may elect to live at home or on campus during co-op sessions. If your student elects to live on campus room and board will be charged for those sessions. Lastly, your student will graduate in four years with no problem as long as they plan ahead. Upon deciding to participate in co-op your student should contact his or her advisor to plan each semester of academic work. This becomes critical when students need to alter the schedule due to athletics, academic, or other reasons.

If you have further questions please call our office at 610-499-4045.

What can I do to assist my student?

The co-op program is designed to offer students a real-life application of their academic experiences. It is also an opportunity for them to grow personally and professionally. Perhaps the greatest thing any parent can do is support them in their efforts and decisions, allowing students to feel a great sense of empowerment.

This can come in many forms including being a positive motivator, teaching them what you have learned in your career, and generally support them as they grow as an individual. Although it may be difficult at times to see your son or daughter growing up, we feel that co-op can assist with the transition for both you and your student.

If you would like to discuss other ways to empower your student please call our office at 610-499-4165.

Frequently asked questions

How does my student qualify for the Co-op program? - Two minimum qualifications are necessary for participation in the program. Students enrolled in the School of Engineering must have a minimum of a 2.2 GPA and students enrolled in the School of Business or the Computer Science major must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
How does my student get a co-op job? - The Co-op office will work individually with your student in helping him/her to identify major fields of interest, after which resumes are referred to companies that have positions closely aligned with those interests. Employers submit their requirements and job descriptions to the Co-op Office and resumes are sent to individual employers.
Are transfer students eligible for the program? - Yes, as long as they meet the minimum requirements and have the correct number of credits to participate. Transfer students are encouraged to contact the Co-op office as soon as possible to determine their eligibility.
What if my student is a student athlete or can't fit into the standard Co-op schedule? The Co-op Office will work on an individual basis with any student that has a legitimate reason for requesting a special co-op work term schedule.
Can my student decide to participate in the Co-op program after his or her sophomore year? - Yes, in some instances students may elect to only participate in the second work term. Students who only participate in the second work term may have a more difficult time attaining a position if they don't have other internship or work experience.
Is my student considered a full-time student while at work? - Yes, students must register for OC 200 during the fall work term and OC 400 for the spring/summer work term. A small registration fee is charged to continue your school enrollment during work terms.
Can your student change majors? - Yes, the co-op program allows students to realistically evaluate their major field of student. A change, if necessary, can be made with little loss of credit and time in school.
When can my student begin work? - They may begin the first work assignment the fall of his or her sophomore year. They obtain one full year of work experience without extending the four-year graduation timeframe.
Where do Widener University Co-op students work? - A majority of student work either in the Delaware Valley, South Jersey, or Wilmington, Delaware. There are no restrictions depending upon job availability and personal choice.
What about housing while off-campus at work? - Students choose to live at home, off-campus, or on-campus while on their work assignments.
Can your student develop his or her own co-op position? - Yes, if the work is related to your student's major and the employer is acceptable to the policies of the Co-op office.
Will my student earn enough money to pay my expenses while in school? - That depends on several factors. The co-op program is designed to emphasize academic and professional experiences rather than provide financial aid. However, students should be advised that the co-op earnings are taken into account when determining eligibility for financial aid. That being said, the average earnings over the two work terms averages anywhere from $22,000 to $28,000.
Is my student obligated to work for my co-op employer after graduation? - No, Co-op employers may or may not offer permanent employment after graduation.
Does my student receive special recognition for completing the co-op program? - Yes, upon graduation your student will receive a certificate of successful completion. Additionally, your student's official transcript will reflect participation in the program and will indicate the location of each co-op employer.
Will The CounsellingCenter be open during summer months? -No, The Counseling Center will no longer be offering the full range of regular semester services during the summer months.