Cooperative Work Experience Education

The objective of the Cooperative Education Program is to allow working students to earn academic college credit for on-the-job employment relating to their educational or career goals. The Cooperative Education Program is part of the total educational process which assists students in exploring and in the process choosing a career, preparing for full-time employment and advancement in careers of their choice. The plan combines college study and work experience to give students the broadest possible preparation for their occupation of choice and has the uniqueness of turning business, industry and government agencies in the community into an expanded educational training laboratory.

The Cooperative Education Program Offers Two Courses:

General Work Experience & Occupational Work Experience

The general Cooperative Education course is designed for students whose jobs do not relate to their college major or career goals and provides an opportunity to explore areas of career interest, increase learning and responsibilities on current job under the supervision of college instructors with the intent of assisting students in acquiring desirable work habits, attitudes and career awareness.

The Occupational Work experience courses offered in the Cooperative Education Department are designed for students who are majoring and/or working in one of the following occupational fields:

Cosmetology, Media, CIS, Computer Programming, ECT, Architect Tech, Carpentry, Welding Tech, Wood Tech, Photography, Culinary Art -Baking, Culinary Art-Cooking, and Biotechnology. The following Business Education Occupational Work Experience courses cross-referenced in the Laney College catalog for student enrollment include: Accounting, Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Management & Supervision, Marketing & Sales, Business Information System,

Students can elect to take up to a maximum of sixteen (16) units of Cooperative Education over a two-year period. Twelve (12) units of Cooperative Education are transferable as electives to the California State University System (CSU) and some private colleges and universities.

Duplicate credit will not be granted for concurrent enrollment in General Work Experience and Occupational Work Experience education. A maximum of 16 units can be granted for occupational work experience or a combination of general and occupational work experience education. The student’s plan of work and study must have the approval of the college work experience supervisor.

Work experience, in conjunction with a program of instruction, makes it possible for a student to obtain college credit for paid or volunteer experience.

Students may enroll in no more than four units of Cooperative Work Experience Education per semester, on the basis of 75 hours of paid work experience per semester per each unit of credit, or 60 hours of unpaid or volunteer work experience per semester per each unit of credit.