Frequently Asked Questions about Graduate Co-op

How do I enroll in the program, and when do I need to declare a graduate co-op track?

Interested students should email the Graduate Admissions team at enroll@drexel.edu for further information and to enroll in the program before arriving on campus. Once students are on campus, they should contact their graduate academic advisor to declare a graduate co-op concentration. Students will have until the end of the fall course add/drop period to declare their concentration. 

Who can participate?

Full-time on-campus master's-level students enrolled in the eligible programs can participate in graduate co-op. International students are also eligible to participate.

How much does it cost?

While on graduate co-op, students will pay the graduate University fee.

Will I be paid during co-op?

In many cases, co-op opportunities are paid positions. However, compensation varies on the industry, job market, or other special circumstances. Whether paid or unpaid, all of our co-ops offer unparalleled industry experience with a variety of employers. 

Where will I work?

Most graduate co-op positions are within the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley area, but there are opportunities nationally and internationally and some are remote. 

How do I find a job?

Students will be enrolled in a 10-week Graduate Co-op class to learn the essential skills necessary to conduct a successful job search. In addition, the Steinbright Career Development Center maintains a database/recruiting system to support students participating in the graduate co-op program, which includes job opportunities with employer partners. Students are also encouraged to work closely with their co-op advisor to develop a job search strategy using the additional resources like the Library's Career Guides and GoinGlobal.

How is the program structured?  What is the job search process timeline?

Students enrolled in the graduate co-op program by the end of the course add/drop period of the fall quarter will have a summer/fall co-op, which means they will be on co-op during the summer and fall quarters. View the academic calendar for information about term start and end dates.

During the fall quarter of the first year, students will be registered in the COOP 500 course, which will cover résumé development, job search planning, and on-the-job professionalism. At the start of the spring term, students will meet with their co-op advisor for an introduction to the job search database and résumé review. Meetings will occur within the first six weeks and students will then gain access to the job search database to review and apply for available positions. Employers will select candidates from the database to interview. Simultaneously, students are encouraged to conduct an independent job search beyond the database for opportunities.