Co-op vs. internship explained: What you need to know
What are the benefits of co-op vs an internship? Both offer hands-on work experience for students, but they differ in format, focus and duration. Learn more about which one is for you.
Welcome to the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies, where we empower learners and professionals through a wide variety of exploration opportunities.
Drawing on UC’s pioneering work in cooperative education, our mission is to support all learners at any stage in their educational and professional growth.
In collaboration with university, industry, government, and community partners, we bridge the gap between academic achievement and career success through innovative programs, skill development, and service learning.
Our students are poised to become your future workforce. Through a combination of rigorous academics and hands-on co-op experiences, they are prepared to meet the demands of today's industries. By partnering with us, you access a skilled talent pool ready to contribute from day one.
The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies is an online program that leverages work experience for degree completion. It focuses on building skills for a competitive job market, allowing students to align their education with career goals. Through co-op learning, students gain practical experience, guided by faculty, preparing them for broad career opportunities and future success.
Our co-op program is crucial to cultivating and developing our next generation of bright Engineers and Consultants.
Kris Riley Managing Partner | Design Systems Inc.
What are the benefits of co-op vs an internship? Both offer hands-on work experience for students, but they differ in format, focus and duration. Learn more about which one is for you.
Learn what an internship is, how it works, and why it matters. Explore types, benefits, and UC’s top-ranked co-op and internship opportunities.
Career Paths
Welcome to “Beyond the Classroom”, a monthly series where we give you a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of Cincinnati co-op students across a variety of majors and industries.
Education in Action
Meet Liz Tremblay, a computer science major in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Liz has worked in software engineering at retail data science, insights and media company 84.51, and is now a user-experience (UX) design co-op at IBM in Chicago.
Education in Action
While cooperative education has a range of proven benefits for college students, hiring a co-op student also provides advantages for employers and businesses.
Co-Op Internships
For college students who want to cut costs and limit student debt, enrolling in a university with cooperative education programs could be an opportunity that reduces student loan borrowing while offering real-world learning experiences.