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Student Policies

The Steinbright Career Development Center is an academically affiliated division of Enrollment Management and Student Success and supports all of the colleges, schools, and students with a cooperative education concentration. Derived from the University's long-standing commitment to cooperative education, Steinbright's policies allow for the continued success and vibrancy of the Drexel Co-op Program. The following undergraduate policies of Steinbright are intended to provide maximum student benefit from co-op enrollment and engagement, and support the academic integration of co-op across all of the University's curricula. Please note that final decision and policy changes are subject to the discretion of Steinbright.

Co-op Programs and Concentration Requirements

In order to graduate, students must complete the total number of Drexel Co-op Units (DCUs) required for the program or major in which they are enrolled.

Co-op Registration and Credit

To be eligible to earn co-op credit, students must register their co-op employment with Steinbright.

Co-op on Student Transcript

Undergraduate students enrolled in a co-op concentration will have Drexel Co-op Units (DCUs) and the name of the employer shown on the official University transcript.

Student Status While on Co-op

During a registered co-op cycle, students are full-time and eligible for full-time student benefits.

Co-op Schedule Cycle

Steinbright maintains a reasonable balance of the number of new students, by declared academic major or intended major, designated to work in each of the two principal co-op cycles (fall/winter or spring/summer).

Co-op Prep Courses

Passing the class is required for students in a co-op concentration prior to beginning the co-op experience.

Co-op Eligibility

Ensuring sufficient academic development supports the primary educational goal of Drexel University and improves the quality of the co-op experience for students and employers.

SCDCOnline Participation

SCDCOnline is the Drexel co-op job database designed exclusively for co-op students.

Co-op Position Registration

Information is provided concerning position relevance, compensation, work schedules, and how the position is secured.

Release From On-Campus Housing Agreement While on Co-op

On-campus housing cancellations for co-op can only be requested for scheduled co-op terms.

Classes During Co-op

The Classes During Co-op policy is based on University policy as indicated on the Provost website.

Students With Disabilities

Students who feel that they need reasonable accommodations to apply for co-op positions, perform essential job functions, or other types of modifications, should contact Drexel's Disability Resources.

Changes in Co-op Term Duration

In order to be eligible to receive full co-op credit, a student must work for the entire assigned co-op period.

Termination of a Co-op Experience

In the event that a student is terminated from a co-op position, the student must contact their assigned co-op advisor immediately.

Co-op Probation

If a student does not adhere to the policies of Drexel University, Steinbright, and/or the co-op employer during the co-op process, the student may be required to attend a probation meeting during which time the terms of co-op probation are determined.

Finalizing Co-op Credits

Students will finalize their co-op credit during the last month of the co-op experience by completing the Employment Summary and Planner (ES&P) through the SCDCOnline system.

The Impacts of Holds on Co-op

If a student has an unresolved University registration hold, then they may not be eligible to participate in the co-op job search process, and/or the co-op itself, potentially resulting in a removal of both the co-op cycle and a co-op experience with an employer, should a co-op position have been obtained and registered.

Career Block

A career block is a hold placed by Steinbright on a student's account that prevents use of SCDCOnline for job search activities.

Dismissal From the Co-op Program

Students who have been dismissed from the University's cooperative education program may be required to change majors or co-op concentrations if co-op requirements cannot and will not be fulfilled to satisfy their current program enrollment.

Cooperative Education Hold

A cooperative education hold is a registration hold placed by Steinbright on a student's account that prevents a student from registering courses and accessing University services, including SCDCOnline.

Failure of Co-op

Students can fail co-op for a variety of reasons.

Academic Dismissal and Reinstatement

If a student is academically dismissed from Drexel University due to the criteria outlined on the Provost's website prior to the start of a co-op term, the student's co-op may be impacted.

Claiming Unemployment

Eligibility for unemployment compensation is governed by state law, and in most circumstances co-op students are not eligible for unemployment compensation at the end of their co-op experience.

Nursing Students

Co-op job levels for nursing students vary based on their situation.

Accelerated Degree Programs and Impact on Co-op

Students applying to accelerated degree programs (eg., BS/MS) have the ability to submit revised plans of study to accommodate accelerated program participation.

International Students

International students on an F-1 visa are required to obtain work authorization, known as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), in order to participate in co-op.

Student Athletes

Steinbright works with the athletic department and coaches to determine appropriate co-op cycles for NCAA athletes to accommodate students' athletic schedules.

Graduating on Co-op

Some students may complete their course requirements prior to their final co-op and prefer to graduate at the end of their final co-op.

Undergraduate Co-op Appeal

Students can appeal for an exception to the standard Steinbright Career Development Center policies if there are significant extenuating circumstances (medical, academic, financial, etc.) sufficient to warrant review.