Cooperative Education

• Full-time paid work experience at RIT. 
• Students performing an RIT Co-op are considered RIT employees. 
• Hire paperwork is processed by the Student Employment Office.

• Registered full-time experience (unpaid or stipend) offered at RIT. 
• Students performing an Entrepreneurial Co-op work for themselves rather than an employer, and are not considered employees of RIT. 

• Primary responsibility for obtaining an acceptable co-op position.
• Permission to allow the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education to release a copy of my resume and/or unofficial academic transcript to appropriate employers who desire candidates that meet my qualifications and background.
• To regularly check co-op job postings and on-campus interviews listed in Career Connect 
• To give serious consideration to all appropriate co-op opportunities when offered by employers, even though the position may not be my first choice for either type of work or geographic location of the assignment.
• Responsibility to notify the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education of any co-op job offer I agree to take within three days of accepting it. I will register my assignment with your office using the Report Your Job form.
• Registering for the appropriate co-op course as identified by my academic department. Dependent on my college, I am aware this may require registration through the Student Information System (SIS) or through my academic department.
• Obtaining approval in advance by both the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education and my academic department should I wish to participate in a co-op assignment longer than two consecutive terms. I acknowledge I cannot register for a third consecutive term without this approval.
• Completing the total amount of co-op work required or expected by my academic department. I acknowledge all co-op work assignments must be completed prior to my final academic term of enrollment at RIT.
• Honoring my commitment in accepting a position and work as long as my services are required during the agreed upon period. Accepting an offer of employment is a contract between me and the employer. I cannot back out or renege on an offer of employment once accepted.
• Acknowledgment that wages earned while on co-op are subject to state and federal income taxes and that, in the State of New York, co-op students are not eligible by law for Unemployment Insurance Benefits resulting from their co-op work experience.
• To submit the appropriate application for co-op work experience credit report or form to my academic department for each work period completed. I am aware this report must be completed by the deadline date identified by my academic department.
• Notifying the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education of any change in my academic or employment status or of any problems associated with my job search or co-op work experience. I acknowledge students on a Leave of Absence or suspended from the Institute may not participate in co-op.
• Failing to comply with this Agreement may affect the awarding of my degree.

Once you sign your co-op employment offer letter, use this form to officially report your job. If you locate a job on your own, check its acceptability for co-op with your department or career services coordinator before accepting the position.

Report your job form 

Your salary is confidential and will not be seen by other co-op participants and employers. It is important that you let us know what your salary as this information is used to compile average co-op salaries for your specific department and college.

If you already submitted a co-op report and you need to change your supervisor information, make updates through www.rit.edu/supervisorupdate.

Most departments require you to prepare a Work Report or Application for Co-op Credit form for each work period. Your department or career services coordinator will provide forms or instructions. These forms must be completed and submitted by the due date to receive co-op credit.

If you are permanently or temporarily laid off, notify your career services coordinator immediately.

If you are placed on academic suspension while working in a co-op position, that block and subsequent blocks cannot be considered as official co-ops. You are obligated to explain your change of status to your employer. Be advised that your coordinator will inform your employer that you are no longer a student at RIT. No evaluation form will be sent for the work experience. See your department if you have questions regarding academic suspension.

RIT does not charge tuition for enrollment while on co-op. Except for federal loans and the Federal Pell Grant, most forms of financial aid are not awarded for semesters of co-op employment. If you are a federal loan and/or Pell Grant recipient, these aid items will credit to your student account after the add/drop period for each term. For this to happen, however, you must register your co-op on the Registrar’s system and report your co-op on our website.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will ask you to report earnings from your co-op, and the reported earnings will automatically be excluded from your adjusted gross income. Your co-op earnings will not negatively impact your eligibility for federal student aid in the subsequent year.

If you have any questions regarding your financial aid, co-op earnings, or living expenses during your co-op term, contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Rochester Co-ops: Students who co-op in Rochester or have a remote co-op may stay in RIT housing.

Out of Town Co-ops: Students who co-op out of town are responsible for finding their own housing near the employer’s location. Most employers will provide a list of apartments or housing options to assist students. Talk with your employer on housing before you move.

A student going on co-op for fall semester outside of Rochester has two options related to securing RIT housing for spring semester:

1. A student on co-op for fall semester who wants RIT housing for spring semester, may apply for spring semester housing in November while out on co-op at myLife.rit.edu. Students coming back to campus from a fall co-op are guaranteed RIT housing for the spring semester. Specific preferences cannot be guaranteed.
2. A student whose co-op is located 45 miles or more from Rochester and requires the student to relocate during the fall semester, may hold their RIT housing contract and assignment for their return spring semester for an alternative rent rate. This option is also offered to students completing a virtual co-op if 45 miles or more from Rochester. Rent is reduced for the fall semester to one-half the term’s rent of the type of housing the student is assigned to.

Contact RIT Housing for any questions or concerns.

When students report to work, they should have at least the following documentation for on-boarding:

• An original social security card (to establish eligibility to work)
• A state issued photo driver’s license (to establish identity)

International students
Go to the International Student Services office prior to starting the co-op position.

The following are expectations both RIT and the employer have of your workplace behavior:

• Report to work regularly and punctually. If you must be absent from work, call your employer prior to your starting time that day.
• Abide by work regulations as defined by your employer.
• Dress appropriately for the work environment and the employer expectations.
• Conduct yourself in a professional and businesslike manner. Be an enthusiastic and productive employee through your co-op experience.
• Consult your supervisor if you are unsure of procedures or expectations on the job or about any conflicts or concerns related to the workplace.
• Periodically seek feedback from your supervisor concerning your job performance.
• Advise your supervisor and ask for additional work once you have completed a project.
• Call your career services coordinator if you need advice on how to handle a situation on the job.

Dealing with stressful and uncomfortable situations can be part of the workplace learning experience.

If you encounter a concern, we encourage you to contact your Career Services Coordinator as we can offer advice or assistance in resolving the matter. It is important to address issues as they arise rather than ignore the problem.

We can assist coaching you on issues like:

• Addressing discrimination and harassment complaints   
• Communicating with supervisors regarding your work-related concerns
• Approaching conflicts on your team in a professional manner

While out on co-op, you will receive registration information from your department to register online for the next term. If your next term is part of a double block co-op, you must register for the second co-op as well.

The answer is no. You are not placed into a co-op position, but rather you apply and go through the same hiring process you would when you look for a job after graduation. The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education does guarantee we will help you in any way we can with your search.

Standard academic credit is not given for co-op. However, you earn “credit” in that your department assigns a grade of “Satisfactory” (S) when you have met all of their requirements and have successfully completed your co-op assignment.

You do not pay tuition or any institute fees while on co-op even though you remain eligible to utilize all the facilities and services of the Institute.

You report your co-op online to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education. You also need to register for co-op in SIS (this varies by program, so check with your program coordinator or academic advisor).

It is ultimately up to the employer, but they often base it upon comparable co-op salaries and a candidate's experience. There may be room for negotiation. Your employer also determines eligibility for benefits, if any.

Check out the latest co-op salary data

Jobs, which are listed through Career Connect, are “approved” co-op positions. If you obtain a co-op position on your own and are not sure if it is acceptable, see your Career Services Coordinator, faculty advisor, or department chair before accepting the job. Keep in mind that if the job meets the criteria, it doesn’t matter if a company calls the job an internship or temporary employment.

A single co-op block is the same length as an academic term. You may, in fact, work longer depending on your exam schedule the preceding term and on your employer’s needs. A double block is two consecutive terms of work, without a break in between. Many students are scheduled for double blocks; others may choose to double block. Confirm with your academic department before committing to a double block to ensure your work does not interfere with courses. You and the employer negotiate the start date and the expected end date of the work period.

Maybe. Some co-op jobs are located in the Rochester area. Depending upon your program, there may be many or very few positions in Rochester. There is high competition for these positions. It is not advisable to limit your job search to any one specific area. You will enhance your chances of landing a position if you are geographically flexible. You should seriously consider all co-op opportunities in your career field for which you qualify, regardless of location.

Many out-of-town employers provide some help in finding temporary housing. The assistance varies: some companies will provide a list of possible apartments and room rentals; some will pay for a hotel for a few days while you are looking; some have co-op housing already arranged. It is a good idea to check with the colleges in the area because residence hall space is frequently available, especially in the summer. It is appropriate to discuss your housing concerns with an employer once an offer has been made.

Yes, but start early! Visit our International Experience page for more information.

Maybe. Some employers, especially those located out of state, will pay for all or part of your relocation expenses. It is important to have a clear understanding of your obligation before accepting a co-op position if extensive travel expenses are anticipated.

Yes. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, salaries/wages paid to co-op students are fully subject to applicable federal income taxes. They are also subject to applicable state income taxes. Any type of personal income should be assumed taxable unless IRS regulations specifically declare it to be “excludable” (i.e., tax-exempt). There is no exclusion of co-op wages in current regulations. International students are required to pay federal and state income taxes but not FICA (social security tax). It should be understood that the above information/advice is provided only as a convenience for you and is not legally binding. Students seeking further info should contact the Internal Revenue Service.

Cooperative education is for a limited time only and with established start and end dates. 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. In the event that a student is terminated from a co-op position prior to its originally scheduled end date, eligibility for unemployment compensation, if any, will be determined by the specific facts of the termination and applicable state laws.

Currently, in the State of New York, co-op students are not eligible by law for Unemployment Insurance Benefits resulting from their co-op work experience.

See your career services coordinator as soon as you feel anxious about your co-op job search. We can evaluate your search, make suggestions, and provide additional service that will assist you in meeting your goal. As a last resort, if co-op is mandatory for your program, a discussion with your academic department may be in order. Depending upon circumstances, it is possible that your co-op will be delayed or waived.

No. Once you have completed all your degree requirements, you are no longer eligible for RIT’s co-op program. Co-op is part of your experiential education while you are studying at RIT.

Some programs do not require completed co-ops as part of their degree requirements, but there may be an option to co-op if students wish to get this experience, and it does not interfere with a student's sequence of classes. For example, most of the programs in the College of Art and Design offer co-op as one of their Experiential Learning Options. Click on your degree in this list of RIT degree programs to learn about co-op requirements or options.