Co-op and Career Design

Co-op and Career Design is the key experiential learning component of Kettering University’s academic program. It is best exemplified as a three-way partnership agreement between a student, an employer, and the university. The purpose of the program is threefold:

1. To develop a strong, positive connection between a student's academic program and their Co-op work experience. 
2. To provide educational experiences that orient and integrate the student into productive and professional roles with their Co-op employer.
3. To create positive work-related habits, characteristics, and transferable skills that promote professionalism, ethical behavior, diversity, and global awareness.

Requirements

Co-op at Kettering University follows an alternating full-time schedule. Students alternate 11-week academic terms with 12-week terms of progressively challenging work with an approved employer.  Students will also participate in professional development modules designed to integrate academic and work experiences at key points in their progression. The minimum requirement for a work term is 6 weeks (240 hours) of work to receive credit for the term*. 

Students who complete their academic requirements in nine full-time terms or more must complete at least five satisfactory work terms. Three of these five must occur after achieving Junior 1 status.

Students who complete their academic requirements in eight full-time terms (minimum of 16 earned credit hours per term) must complete at least four satisfactory work terms. Three of these four must occur after achieving Junior 1 status.

Students transferring to Kettering University with 24 - 55 earned hours (sophomore status) must complete at least four satisfactory work terms. Three after achieving junior status.  The work experience terms must be earned while a Kettering University student. 

Students transferring to Kettering University with 56 or more earned hours (junior status) without a baccalaureate degree must complete at least three satisfactory work terms.  The work experience terms must be earned while a Kettering University student. 

Students transferring to Kettering University with a baccalaureate degree must complete at least three satisfactory work terms.  The work experience terms must be earned while a Kettering University student. 

Student Coach/Employer Liaisons 

Serve as a liaison between the employer partner, the student, and the university. They help address any concerns and ensure a successful Co-op experience for all parties. Student Coaches are highly qualified professionals who serve as valuable resources and coach students throughout the entire experiential learning program. Students will learn career-readiness skills and enhance their professionalism by following their student coach's advice.  

The Co-op and Career Design team also develops and maintains employer relationships and promotes Co-op positions to students seeking employment. The Co-op office maintains the employment records of all students in the Kettering Connect system. It is therefore essential for students to update their student coach on any changes to their employment status as they work toward meeting Co-op requirements.

Academics

Students working at a Co-op employer are expected to be in good academic standing. Many employers have specific grade requirements, and it is the student’s responsibility to know what those requirements are and any resulting consequences of not meeting them. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 may be at risk of being released from their Co-op assignment by those employers that have a minimum GPA requirement. It is the student's responsibility to submit their grades to their employer if required. Students with poor academic performance may be required to complete consecutive academic terms successfully before being allowed to search for employment. Students must complete the Altering the Academic/Work Sequence process initiated by the Student Success Center and consult their Student Coach with any questions about this process.  Locating positions for students with unsatisfactory academic performance can be challenging.  Students who are released from their Co-op employer due to performance must complete a LinkedIn Learning course and meet with their Student Coach to discuss. Students on academic probation and/or released for cause by their employer may forfeit their right to university assistance in finding new Co-op employment until they satisfy the University's requirements.

The Alternating Sequence

Each student assumes responsibility for maintaining satisfactory progress toward their degree. This includes following an alternating sequence between school and work while enrolled (two school terms and two work terms per academic year).  This alternation schedule is determined based on the student’s section status (A or B section) noted below.   

Co-op

Term	A-section	B-section
Summer: July - September	School	Work
Fall: October - December	Work	School
Winter: January - March	School	Work
Spring: April - June	Work	School

Any changes to this school/work sequence must be approved in advance through the petition process.  Refer to the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog (Petition to Alter Academic/Work Sequence) for more information.  Incoming freshmen in B-section are not required to secure a Co-op in July prior to attending school in October, Fall term.  

Continuous Growth

The Cooperative Education partnership is designed to achieve our students' educational and career goals while meeting the future talent needs of Co-op employers. Co-op is an academic program, and Kettering students are encouraged to remain with the same employer throughout the entire program. Experience has shown that, in most cases, it is more advantageous for the student to progress within one organization than to switch to another. Each time a student begins with a new company, they start over in the learning process and are often given less responsibility until their learning curve increases. Partnering with the same employer throughout the entire program has proven to increase opportunities and the level of challenge afforded to the student. 

The program provides numerous opportunities for students to develop technical, essential, and career-readiness skills. Participation in professional development seminars, one-on-one coaching meetings with Student Coaches, and training and mentoring with Co-op employers will enhance a student’s confidence and marketability. The university encourages students to seek out and take advantage of these additional, often informal, learning resources.  

There are appropriate reasons for some students to request a new Co-op employer or for an employer to terminate a student. This process is referred to as Reassignment. Students seeking reassignment must meet with their Student Coach to help determine if the process is necessary.  Kettering will approve reassignment after it has been determined that it would be in the student's best interest and the employer (see below: Changing Co-op Employers). Changes in a Co-op assignment are permitted but are not granted solely on the basis of student financial gain, personal commitments, or assumed responsibilities.  The cooperative relationship aims to meet both the student's and the employer's goals, without compromising either. A healthy respect for both is needed to maintain a successful program. 

In the spirit of continuous growth and recognition of the comprehensive student experience, the Co-op office liaises with other student-centered offices to best serve our students. Shared student support and solutions with the Student Success Center, Office of the Registrar, Student Experience, Office of International Programs, and other departments enhance success. The Co-op team encourages students to be proactive in engaging with student support teams. 

Other Experiential Learning Opportunities

Kettering University offers an array of experiential learning opportunities that can be interchanged or used to greatly enhance our students' Co-op experiences. The best examples of these experiences include:

• On-campus Co-op opportunities (limited/specific requirements to be eligible)
• Internships
• Research opportunities
• Entrepreneurship opportunities

Students interested in integrating some of these options should work closely with their Student Coach and their degree departments.

Selection by a Co-op Employer

Resumes of eligible students are forwarded to Co-op employers by the Student Coach/Employer Liaison or through various other means, such as Co-op Employment Fairs, personal referrals, or self-selection via our Kettering Connect system, where employers may post their positions online for students to review and apply.  Careful attention is given to student skills, interests, needs, and preferences. While most students obtain Co-op employment through these efforts, students are equally encouraged to assist in the process by initiating contact with potential Co-op employers through their own personal networks. The Kettering Student Coach will work with students who wish to pursue new Co-op employers. All employers must be approved and entered into the database in order for students to receive credit for their work terms.

Co-op employers choose to interview applicants based on their academic background, employment history, skills, extracurricular activities, and honors. Factors that may influence a Co-op employer's selection include communication skills, leadership potential, career interests, desire to work, and the capacity to acquire the necessary academic and practical experiences that lead to greater responsibility. 

Section Assignments

A-Section students begin school in July; B-Section students begin school in October. Students are allowed to choose their section.  Kettering University reserves the right to assign students to a section based on space and class-load balance. The University will attempt to meet student requests, but has the right to determine section assignments. Co-op employers may also request section assignments for students based on their Co-op hiring needs.

Registration

All students are automatically registered in their cooperative work experience term according to the alternating sequence. Students may register for a maximum of 8 credits of coursework at Kettering University during a Co-op or thesis term. 

Students may not adjust their alternating academic and work term sequence without approval.  This ensures that all relevant university offices are aware of any changes to students' plans.  As such, arrangements made between students and employers without university approval will result in no Co-op credit granted for the term. It is the student's responsibility to submit the completed, signed form to the Office of the Registrar so that the appropriate registration adjustments are made. Please note that students may not request to complete more than 2 consecutive Co-op terms. 

Grading System

To receive a satisfactory grade for a Co-op work term, each student must have on file both the Supervisor and Student Evaluation of the Co-op experience and evidence of completing a Work-Term Reflection.  The supervisor’s evaluation of the student’s Co-op experience should be reviewed with the student and then signed by the employer. During a Co-op work term, students generally work full-time (40 hours per week) and, in some cases, are required to work overtime or various shifts, depending on the employer's needs and prior approval.  A student hired later than the start of the term or released before the end of the term (except under extreme conditions) must work at least six weeks (240 hours) of the twelve-week term and receive a “satisfactory” grade to have their work experience count toward graduation requirements.

Work Experience Evaluations

During a Co-op work experience term, the student's performance is evaluated by the supervisor assigned for that term by the Co-op employer. This evaluation is required by Kettering and is kept on file for five years after graduation or separation from the University. The terms are evaluated on a “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” grading format. No academic credit hours or quality points are earned through the program's work experience requirements.  

Supervisor Evaluation of Work
Completion of this survey, the awarding of credit in Question 22, and a completed Student Evaluation will provide the necessary graduation credit for the student. The immediate supervisor should evaluate the student objectively, taking into account the student's academic level and any prior Co-op work experience. This evaluation should be discussed directly with the student to maximize impact and feedback.

Student Evaluation
Students who complete their academic requirements in nine full-time terms or more must attain at least five satisfactory work evaluations at an authorized employer. Three of these five must occur after achieving Junior 1 status. Students who complete their academic requirements in eight full-time terms (minimum of 16 earned credit hours per term) must attain at least four satisfactory work evaluations at an authorized employer. Two of these four must occur after achieving Junior 1 status.

S = Satisfactory evaluation received (credit awarded)

U = Unsatisfactory evaluation received (no credit awarded and Academic Standing impacted)

NR = One or both evaluations were not received or were not signed by the student or the employer.  

Students Released From a Co-op Employer

Students released by an employer one or more times based on performance will be required to meet with their Student Coach, the Student Success Center, and/or the Vice-President/Chief Student Experience Officer.  Students may be required to work on campus as they develop personal and professional skills before returning to the workplace.  If a student is released due to grades, they may be required to take back-to-back school terms with fewer credits to improve their academic standing.    

Professional Development Modules

Co-op learning is fully integrated into our academic and educational programs and supports the University's learning outcomes.  Over the course of their academic career, students will participate in professional development modules designed to help them reflect on, plan for, and be intentional in their personal work experiences. 

Changing Co-op Employers

It is strongly encouraged that students work at least two (2) work terms with an employer before they petition for reassignment. Students desiring a change in Co-op employer must meet with their Kettering University Student Coach to discuss the reason(s) for the request. Requests for reassignment must be approved by the Student Coach or Review Team. Students should not initiate a discussion with a prospective new employer without the Co-op and Career Design Team's knowledge and approval.

It should be emphasized that any deviation from this policy, or unilateral student action, to secure a new Co-op employer without prior approval, may result in that student jeopardizing the receipt of work experience credits for graduation and/or being placed on probation. It is imperative that we maintain strong relationships with our employer partners and help students successfully navigate change.

The Co-op and Career Design Office will assist students who are granted permission to seek new Co-op employment. All students available for reassignment will be given access to the current Co-op database, Kettering Connect, enabling their resume to be sent to Co-op employers currently seeking students with similar profiles (academic major, skills, etc.). 

Reassignment Process

Reassignment requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. To submit requests, students must follow these steps:

• Make an appointment with your Student Coach before pursuing reassignment, preferably at the beginning of a term (or by the 3rd week).
• The Student Coach will work with the student to determine if reassignment is the right step.
• Documented reasons for the reassignment will be noted in the student's file by the Student Coach for future reference.
• If pursuing reassignment is agreed upon, the student will be required to complete the following:
  • LinkedIn Learning Course (for terminations)
  • Written approval for passed health screenings (for terminations only)
  • Ensure copies of the following are accurate and up-to-date:
    • All evaluations, both student and employer, are complete
    • An updated resume uploaded to Kettering Connect is required

The Student Coach will preview all submitted materials and make a decision. The Co-op and Career Design Office is prepared to help guide and assist all students as they continue to grow with their organizations and move toward graduation. The student is required to contact their Student Coach for advice and counsel before making any change to their Co-op Program.  The reassignment timing should occur at the end of the work term or within three (3) weeks of the academic term.  This ensures both the student and the employer have adequate time to prepare.

Transfer of Work Experience

Students who have participated in other comparable college-level cooperative work experience programs or who believe they have significant work experience related to their Kettering degree program may be eligible to transfer this work experience toward their Kettering degree requirements. Students wishing to pursue this action should contact the Co-op and Career Design Office to determine the documentation required to transfer up to 2 work experiences. These work experiences will apply only to the student’s freshman- and sophomore-level experiences.

Students without a Co-op Employer

Students who are not employed by the start of their work term can complete a back-to-back academic term. This choice will require students to complete the Altering the Academic/Work Sequence form and obtain the necessary signatures from their Student Coach, the Student Success Center, and the Registrar's office.  Students seeking employment while attending classes must maintain a current resume, attend workshops on employment search skills, and apply for positions. They must be easily reached and available for interviews with prospective employers and be proactive in the Co-op search process with the Student Coach's assistance. 

Locating positions for students with unsatisfactory academic performance can be challenging. Students who continue to remain on academic probation and/or have been released for cause by their employer may forfeit their right to university assistance in finding new Co-op employment. These students should immediately make an appointment with their Student Coach/Employer Liaison.

Student Concerns and Complaints

Refer to the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog, under Student Complaint Procedures.