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
Examples of recent employers include Exelon, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Johnson & Johnson, SEPTA, Merck, Walt Disney Co., Raptor Robots, SNAP, Philadelphia Water Department and many others.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 |
|
*Most classes are 3 credits (9 credits = 3 classes)
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.