E. Philip Saunders College of Business
Graduate Co-Op
Eight Steps to a successful work experience!
- Co-op is optional for all Graduate Business Students
Cooperative education is optional for graduate level business students. However, for students attending full-time, it may be beneficial to complete a co-op work block sometime during the student's program. An MBA student cannot take more than two MBA courses during any quarter they are registered for co-op.
- Beginning the Job Search
Students should begin with their co-op and career services counselor, Ms. Kim DeLardge, to discuss resumes, interviewing techniques, job opportunities, target companies, and any other process or preparation issues.
- How Your Advisor Fits In
Students should check with their academic advisor for approval of the work block (content) and to ensure they will not be on co-op when a course required for graduation is offered. All co-op blocks have to be registered with the college by completing a registration form. Upon return to school, students will be asked to submit a written report using specific guidelines. These report guidelines are available in the graduate programs office.
- How Courses Fit In
If you plan on taking any courses while on co-op, you must add them through the normal processes. No more than one course is recommended however. If you do not plan to take courses, it is your responsibility to drop them during the drop/add period. Otherwise tuition will be due and you will receive a grade.
- Registering For Co-op
Note: Two registration steps are required at this time - we are hoping to streamline this process in the near future!
Students need to be in good academic standing (GPA 3.0) and must register before beginning the work. Single Co-op work blocks need to be a minimum of 10 weeks in length. Students also should have completed at least 24 credit hours, and have at least one academic quarter remaining (12 credit hours). Click here for the registration form.
You also need to register on the RIT Job Zone through the Co-op & Career Services Office.
- International Students
International students need written authorization from the International Student Office and cannot co-op until three consecutive quarters of study have been completed.
- Getting Your Coop Evaluated and Graded
Once the co-op is complete, a report is due. The report guidelines are available in the student services office. The report is due by the 10th week of the quarter that you are on co-op! The report should be submitted to the Student Services Office. Don't forget to keep a copy of the report somewhere safe just in case it is needed!
- The Coop Grade
All co-op blocks carry zero credit hours (no tuition charged) and are assigned Incomplete grades if the report is not completed and graded by the end of the quarter. These incomplete grades revert to permanent fails if you do not complete a satisfactory report. Don't let this happen to you!
If you are on a double block co-op you can take an Incomplete grade on the first block, and complete the report near the end of the second block. The student services office is able to change that first grade after the grading process is complete.