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Participating academic programs

Links to additional co-op information:
Intro to Co-op | Finding a Co-op | Notification and Reporting| Responsibilities and Ethics | Co-op Profiles

Cooperative education (co-op) at RIT means that you’ll alternate periods of full-time study with full-time, paid work experience in your career field. The amount of time you are employed through co-op will depend on your college major.

RIT’s school year is divided into four 13-week terms called quarters. As a student at RIT, you will complete four years (12 quarters) of college course work, the same amount of time you would spend in a bachelor’s degree program offered by any other college or university. But that’s where the similarity ends. RIT offers you the opportunity to add two to five quarters of co-op work experience to your bachelor’s degree program.

If you enter RIT as a freshman, you will likely spend your first two years on campus completing course work in liberal arts and in your major before beginning co-op. This will give you the academic background you need to succeed in the challenging co-op assignments you will encounter in your next two to three years at RIT. If you enter as a transfer student, your academic adviser will take your previous course work into consideration when developing your co-op schedule.

Degree programs such as engineering, computer science or engineering technology at RIT require four or five quarters of co-op work experience in addition to the normal four years of classroom study. Students in these programs earn their degrees over a five-year period, as they alternate quarters of full-time study with co-op quarters during their third, fourth and fifth years. Upon graduation, these students have a full year of work experience to offer potential employers.

Programs in business, science, hotel management and other areas require two to four quarters of co-op work experience or offer co-op as an optional experience. Students in these programs are able to complete their degree programs in four years. Whether you are enrolled in a four-year or five-year co-op program, tuition is charged only for the quarters you spend on campus taking classes. During your co-op quarters, you are working full time and earning a salary that helps offset your tuition expenses.

There are also some majors at RIT that offer students the opportunity to gain career-related work experience through internships. These programs include criminal justice, social work, biomedical photography and others. While co-op positions are defined as full-time paid positions, in some cases internships may not pay a salary or require a full-time work schedule. Nevertheless, the work experience gained offers important
career advantages, and academic credits also may be awarded for internships.

The chart below outlines co-op and internship opportunities for each of our programs. Whatever your major, we think that you’ll see the advantages of participating in cooperative education, internships and experiential learning at RIT.

 

Co-op Programs by Major

Click on a program grouping to skip to that data: Art, Design & Crafts, Business,Computing, Engineering & Engineering Tech, Environmental, Hospitality & Service Management, Print Media, Human Services, Imaging Science, Mathematics & Statistics, Packaging Science, Photographic Arts & Science, Science
  Art, Design & Crafts
 
Program (with links to a co-op marketing piece used with employers) Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Art Education MST JADE  
Ceramics BFA, MFA, MST JSCC Optional Co-op
Computer Graphics Design MFA JADG Optional Co-op
Fine Arts Studio BFA. MFA, MST JADF Optional Co-op
Glass BFA. MFA, MST JSCG Optional Co-op
Graphic Design BFA, MFA, MST JADC Optional Co-op
Illustration BFA JADL Optional Co-op
Industrial Design BFA, MFA, MST JADU Optional Co-op
Interior Design BFA, MFA, MST JADI Optional Co-op
Medical Illustration BFA, MFA JADM Optional Co-op
Metalcrafts and Jewelry BFA, MFA, MST JSCM Optional Co-op
New Media Design and Imaging BFA JADW Optional Co-op
Woodworking and Furniture Design BFA, MFA, MST JSCW Optional Co-op
     
  Business
 
Program (with links to a co-op marketing piece used with employers) Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Accounting BS BBUA 2
Bus Admin-Finance-Evening Option BS BBEF 2
Career and Human Resources Development MS ISMC Internship
Business Management BS BBUG 2
Finance BS BBUF 2
Finance MS BBUD Optional Co-op
Health Services Administration MS IMDH Optional Co-op
Health Systems Administration MS ISMN  
International Business BS BBUT 2
International Business MS BBUL Optional Co-op
Management Information Systems BS BBUI 2
Mgmt Information Systems-Evening Option BS BBEI 2
Marketing BS BBUM 2
Master of Business Administration MBA BBUB Optional Co-op
MBA-Accounting BBUC Optional Co-op
MBS-Executive Program BBUE Optional Co-op
Photographic Marketing Mgt. BS BREP 2
Training and Instructional Design MS ISMI Optional co-op
     
  Computing
Program (with links to a co-op marketing piece used with employers) Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Applied Networking and System Administration BS VNSA 3
Appl Networking & Sys Admin Part-time Eve Opt BS VNSY 3
Biomedical Computing/Computer Science BS/MS VCSH  
Computer Eng Tech/Computer Science MS VCSN  
Computer Science BS VCSG 4
Computer Science Dual Degree BS/MS VCSJ  
Computer Science Dual Degree MS VCSK 4
Computer Science-Evening Option BS VCSX  
Computer Science MS VCSG6 4
Elec Eng/Computer Science Dual Degree BS/MS VCSL  
Information Technology BS VKSF 3
Information Technology Evening Option BS VKSZ  
Information Technology MS VKSF6 Optional Co-op
Information Technology Part-time Option BS VKSY  
Information Technology-New Media-BS VKSW 3
Learning and Knowledge Mgmt Systems MS VKSL  
Management Information Systems BS BBUI 2
Medical Informatics BS VKSM  
Security and Information Assurance MS VGCS  
Software Development and Management MS VKSD Optional Co-op
Software Engineering VSEN 4
     
  Engineering & Engineering Tech
 
Program (with links to a co-op marketing piece used with employers) Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Applied Statistics BS/MS EQAE  
Applied Statistics MS EQAS  
Civil Engineering Technology BS ITFC 5
Civil Engineering Technology BS ITPC 5
Computer Engineering BS EECC 5
Computer Engineering MS EECC6 *
Computer Engineering Dual Degree EECB 5
Computer Engineering Technology BS ITFP 5
Computer Engineering Technology BS ITPP 5
Computer Engineering Technology/Computer Science BS, MS ITFQ 4
Computer Engineering-Software Option BS EECS 5
Electrical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Option BS EEEM 5
Electrical Engineering BS EEEE 5
Electrical Engineering MS EEEE6  
Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering Option BS EEEC 5
Electrical Engineering Dual Degree BS/MS EEEB 4
Electrical Engineering PreMed Biomedical Program BS/MS EEEP  
Electrical Engineering Technology BS ITFE 5
Electrical Engineering Technology BS ITPE 5
Elec Eng/Computer Science Dual Degree BS/MS EEED *
Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology BS ITFL 5
Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology BS ITPL 5
Engineering Management MS EIEM Optional Co-op
Industrial Engineering & Applied & Mathematical Statistics Dual Degree BS/MS EIEQ *
Industrial Engineering & Engineering Management Dual Degree BS/ME EIEC  
Industrial Engineering & Engineering Systems Dual Degree BS/ME EIED  
Industrial Engineering BS/ME EIEA 5
Industrial Engineering BS/MS EIEB 5
Industrial Engineering Ergonomics Option MS EIEE 5
Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Option BS EIEN 5
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering MS EIER Optional Co-op
Industrial & Systems Engineering BS EIEI 5
Mfg and Mechanical Systems Integration MS ITFB Optional Co-op
Manufacturing Engineering Technology BS ITFF 5
Manufacturing Engineering ME EIEF Optional Co-op
Manufacturing Engineering Technology BS ITPF 5
Manufacturing Leadership MS EDDM  
Mechanical Engineering Automotive Option BS EMEV 5
Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Option BS EMEA 5
Mechanical Engineering BS EMEM 5
Mechanical Engineering MS EMEM6 Optional Co-op
Mechanical Engineering ME EMEG  
Mechanical Engineering Dual Degree BS/MS EMEB 5
Mechanical Engineering Dual Degree BS/ME EMEN 5
Mechanical Engineering Bioengineering Option BS EMED 5
Mechanical Eng Energy & the Environment Option BS EMEE 5
Mechanical Engineering Technology BS ITFM 5
Mechanical Engineering Technology BS ITPM 5
Microelectronic Engineering BS EMCR 5
Microelectronic Eng/Material Science Dual Degree BS EMCM 5
Microelectronic Manufacturing Engineering ME EMCG 5
Microelectronics Manufacturing Engineering MS EMCS 5
Microsystems Engineering PhD EMSA  
Product Development MS EDDP  
Systems Engineering ME EIES 5
Industrial Engineering Information Systems Option BS EIEY 5
Telecommunications Engineering Technology MS ITFO 5
Telecommunications Engineering Technology-Mgmt BS ITPG 5
Telecommunications Engineering Technology- Mgmt Opt BS ITFG 5
Telecommunications Engineering Technology-Tech BS ITPT 5
Telecommunications Engineering Technology-Tech Opt BS ITFT 5
     
  Environmental
 
Program (with links to a co-op marketing piece used with employers) Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Environmental Management and Technology MS IEMH Optional Co-op
Environmental Mgmt and Tech BS-Evening Option IEMG 4
Environmental Management & Technology BS IEME 4
Environmental Science BS, MS SBIV Optional Co-op
Environmental Science BS/MS Dual Degree SBIW Optional Co-op
Safety Technology BS IEMS 5
Safety Technology BS-Evening Option IEMX 5
     
  Hospitality & Service Management
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Food Management BS ISMF 4
Food Marketing and Distribution BS ISMA 4
Hospitality/Tourism Management MS ISMM Optional Co-op
Hotel and Resort Management BS ISMH 4
Nutrition Management BS ISMD 4
Service Quality MS ISMQ Optional Co-op
Travel Management BS ISMT 4
     
  Print Media
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Graphic Arts Publishing MS (Distance Learning) MS JPRG Optional Co-op
Graphic Media BS JPRV 2
New Media Publishing BS JPRW 2
Print Media MS JPRT Optional Co-op
     
  Human Services
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Advertising and Public Relations BS GPTA 2
Communication and Media Technology MS GPTM Optional Co-op
Criminal Justice BS GCJC Optional Co-op
Criminal Justice (extended day option) BS GCJX Optional Co-op
Economics BS GECN Optional Co-op
Economics BS GECN Optional Co-op
International Studies GSSI  
Professional and Technical Communication BS GPTC 2
Psychology BS GPSY 1 or more
Public Policy BS, MS GPPD 1 co-op or internship
Public Policy Dual Degree BS/MS GPPE 1 co-op or internship
School Psychology MS GBSP Field Instruction
     
  Imaging Science
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Color Science MS SIMC Optional Co-op
Imaging Science BS SIMG Optional Co-op
Imaging Science PhD SIMD Optional Co-op
     
  Mathematics & Statistics
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Applied Mathematics BS SMAM Optional Co-op
Applied Mathematics Dual Degree BS/MS SMAB Optional Co-op
Applied Mathematics MS SMAG Optional Co-op
Applied Math/Ind & Applied Math Dual Degree BS/MS SMAI Optional Co-op
Applied Statistics BS SMAS Optional Co-op
Applied Statistics Dual Degree BS SMAZ Optional Co-op
Appl Stats/Ind & Appl Math Dual Degree BS/MS SMAD Optional Co-op
Computational Mathematics BS SMAC Optional Co-op
Computational Mathematics Dual Degree BS/MS SMAK Optional Co-op
Comp Math/Ind & Appl Math Dual Degree BS/MS SMAN Optional Co-op
     
  Packaging Science
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Packaging Science - Management Option BS IPKM 2
Packaging Science MS IPKG Optional Co-op
Packaging Science - Printing Option BS IPKP 2
Packaging Science - Technology Option IPKT 2
     
  Photographic Arts & Science
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Advertising Photography BFA JPHD Optional Co-op
Biomed. Photo. Communications BS JPHB 1
Film and Video BFA JPHQ Optional Co-op
Imaging and Photo Tech. BS JPHT 2
Imaging Arts - Animation MFA JPHC  
Imaging Arts MFA JPHG  
Photo Illustration - Fine Arts option BFA JPHA Optional Co-op
Photo Journalism BFA JPHR Optional Co-op
Visual Media BFA JPHU Optional Co-op
     
  Science
 
Program Code Co-op Work Periods in Program
Biochemistry BS SCHB Optional Co-op
Biochemistry/Chemistry Dual Degree BS/MS SCHI Optional Co-op
Bioinformatics BS/MS Dual Degree SBID 1
Bioinformatics BS, MS SBIC 1
Biology SBIB Optional Co-op
Biotechnology-Bioinformatics Option BS SBIF Optional Co-op
Biomedical Computing BS SCLB Optional Co-op
Biomedical Sciences SSBS Optional Co-op
Biotechnology BS SBIT Optional Co-op
Chemistry BS SCHC Optional Co-op
Chemistry/Materials Science Engineering Dual Degree BS/MS SCHN Optional Co-op
Chemistry Dual Degree BS SCHG Optional Co-op
Chemistry - Environmental Option BS SCHW Optional Co-op
Clinical Chemistry MS SCLC Optional Co-op
Environmental Science BS, MS SBIV Optional Co-op
Environmental Science BS/MS Dual Degree SBIW Optional Co-op
Materials Science and Engineering MS SESM Optional Co-op
Microelectronic Engineering/Material Science Dual Degree BS/MS SESE Optional Co-op
Medical Technology BS SCLM I/D
Nuclear Medicine Technology BS SCLN I/D
Physician Assistant BS SCLP I/D
Physics BS SPSP Optional Co-op
Polymer Chemistry BS SCHM Optional Co-op
Polymer Chemistry/Chemistry Dual Degree BS/MS SCHR Optional Co-op
Premed Studies BS SMED I/D
Prevet Studies BS SVET I/D
Ultrasound Technology BS SCLS I/D