What is Graduate Co-Op?
Drexel is world renowned for its co-operative education program. At the graduate level, the optional co-op is geared towards developing applied skillsets by bringing classroom learning into a professional environment while earning a Master’s degree. The work experience provides invaluable insights into industry or research as a profession, expands professional networks and builds your resume.
Graduate co-op is typically a three to six-month engagement with an employer. Students generally get paid for their work ranging from 20-40 hours per week. You will seek your position opportunities with the resources and connections available through our Steinbright Career Development Center.
Some program highlights include:
- Opportunity to earn money gain professional experience as an engineer
- Students may work in a lab to gain valuable research skills
- Most positions are paid, and most are full-time
- Average weekly pay is around $1098 per week
- International students - considered CPT and does not affect OPT
Engineering Co-op Helps Grad Student Bolster Industry Skills
Jipsa Thankachan gained industry experience through Drexel’s co-op program, applying her skills in water engineering and preparing for career growth in environmental infrastructure.
Read Full Story
Engineering Meets Medicine: Graduate Co-op Studies AI for Cardiac Care
During his Drexel graduate co-op, Sravanth Kumar Kondapalli is applying engineering management skills to healthcare, studying AI-powered pacemakers and their impact on patient outcomes.
Read Full Story
Graduate Co-op Helps Develop High-Performance Fibers for Astronaut Suits
Merve Arslan’s passion for materials science led her to Kordsa, where she’s refining astronaut suit textiles, optimizing production, and gaining real-world experience in advanced manufacturing.
Read Full Story
Engineering Co-op Helps Grad Student Bolster Industry Skills
Jipsa Thankachan gained industry experience through Drexel’s co-op program, applying her skills in water engineering and preparing for career growth in environmental infrastructure.
Read Full Story
Engineering Meets Medicine: Graduate Co-op Studies AI for Cardiac Care
During his Drexel graduate co-op, Sravanth Kumar Kondapalli is applying engineering management skills to healthcare, studying AI-powered pacemakers and their impact on patient outcomes.
Read Full Story
Examples of recent employers include Janssen Research and Development, SEPTA, Dunmore International Corp, Black Knight Financial Services, Merck, Jaros Baum & Bolles, Philadelphia Water Department and many others.
How does graduate co-op work?
The Graduate co-op is available to full-time, on-campus students, with a Fall Term start, in one of the following MS programs:
A professional development training course is required, COOP 501, offered by the Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC). All students interested in co-op take this course in the fall of their first year. It includes professional development skills, resume writing, job searching and networking. The co-op experience is offered in the Summer or Fall to Winter terms. The co-op option for full-time students can be completed in 21 months.
| |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| Year 1 |
9 credits |
9 credits |
9 credits |
0-6 credits |
| Year 2 |
Co-op / 3 credits |
Co-op / 3 credits |
9 credits |
|
SCDC maintains a database and recruiting system to facilitate students participating in co-op. Many graduate students also pursue their own target positions to achieve their specific career goals. Positions are not guaranteed.