Understanding Co-op

All around the world, colleges and universities are finding value in integrating some form of experiential education into what they do. The best of these initiatives combine classroom learning with real-world experience without compromising academics. Since 1919, Drexel has had professional work experience and skill development central to our academic model and curricula in the form of our cooperative education program, Drexel Co-op.

Housed in the Steinbright Career Development Center, Drexel Co-op provides students with up to 18 months of real-world work experience enabling them to build an impressive résumé long before graduation. Co-op opportunities range from working alongside the nation's industry leaders, from global organizations to innovative startups, to taking advantage of one of our more specialized options such as a research, entrepreneurship, or international co-op. These professional experiences are intimately part of our curriculum and add to, not subtract from, the academic rigor that Drexel is known for. Throughout the co-op process, our students are fully supported in securing a position as they apply to, prepare for, and interview with one of our 1,500 employer partners, with many students receiving more than one offer of employment. Integral to preparing for the future of work is the University’s relationship with co-op employer partners around the world. 80% of co-ops are paid and of those that are paid, the median paid six-month co-op salary is more than $18,000. For more detailed information, including co-op salaries by major, please visit the Steinbright Career Development Center's Salary Guide webpage.

With co-op, students take what they learn in the classroom and apply it during their co-op positions. They then learn from their co-op experiences and share what they learn with professors and other students. This process enables our students to learn alongside experts in their fields and carry their new insight back to the classroom, which enriches the discussion and time spent in the classroom. For over 100 years, Drexel Co-op has been equipping students with a unique combination of knowledge and experience that empowers them to become the leaders of today and tomorrow.

For a more detailed explanation of the co-op process, visit How Co-op Works.