Co-Op Managed Through Handshake Experiences
The Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Experience is managed through Handshake Experiences. Students must activate and regularly monitor their Handshake account throughout the Co-Op process. Sign up on Handshake
Students should carefully review each step below to understand the approval process, enrollment requirements, and course expectations. Additional details regarding timelines, requirements, and Handshake Experience navigation will be provided during the required virtual appointment with the Cooperative Education Coordinator.
Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Handshake Experience terms for the upcoming academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer) become available each February. Students are encouraged to begin the Co-Op approval process early to allow sufficient time for their required appointment, Experience submission, and approvals.
Recommended Planning Schedule
| Co-Op Term | Co-Op Handshake Experience Available | Recommended Approval Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | February | Before Fall priority registration begins |
| Spring | February | Before Spring priority registration begins |
| Summer | February | Before Summer priority registration begins |
Planning Example
In February 2027, Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Handshake Experience terms will open for the 2027鈥�2028 academic year, including Fall 2027, Spring 2028, and Summer 2028.
For example, a student planning to enroll in a Spring 2028 Co-Op course may begin the approval process as early as February 2027. The student should aim to complete all required approvals before Spring 2028 priority registration begins.
Students do not need to wait until course registration opens to begin the Co-Op approval process.
Before Registering for a Co-Op Course
Students must complete the required virtual appointment with the Cooperative Education Coordinator and obtain all required approvals through Handshake Experiences before registering for a Co-Op course.
Once approved, students should coordinate with their instructor or academic department regarding registration authorization.
Detailed instructions for completing the approval process are provided in the steps below.
Important Registration Information
Students are responsible for reviewing the university’s Academic Calendar and Registration Dates opens for their intended semester.
Recommended approval completion: Students should aim to complete the Co-Op Handshake Experience approval process before priority registration begins for their intended semester.
These are recommended planning timelines, not application deadlines. Students who begin the process later must still obtain approval before registering and comply with university registration deadlines.
A Handshake Experience is how University Career Services tracks and supports:
- Internships
- Cooperative Education (Co-Op) experiences
- Other applied learning opportunities
You will use Handshake Experiences to:
- Submit the required information and documents
- Track approval status
- Complete evaluations
- Document your experiential learning
Important: Handshake Experiences support your course requirements, but they do not replace your syllabus. You must still follow all course deadlines and instructions provided by your instructor.
The Co-Op Experience includes two main parts:
- Experience Approval Process
Students will complete the required Experience approval steps in Handshake, including submitting documentation and completing the reviewer approval process. - Coursework and Requirements
After the Experience has been approved and the student enrolls in the course, students will complete required coursework, assignments, and evaluations through Handshake Experiences.
Students interested in participating in a Cooperative Education (Co-Op) experience must first schedule a required virtual appointment with Michelle Marshall, Cooperative Education Coordinator, through .
During this meeting, students will:
- Receive an overview of the Co-Op process
- Review timelines, expectations, and responsibilities
- Learn how to navigate Handshake Experiences
- Review required documentation and next steps
This orientation helps ensure students understand the approval and enrollment process before beginning the Co-Op Experience.
After completing the required orientation meeting, students must complete the Learning Agreement Paper before submitting their Co-Op Experience request in Handshake. The completed Learning Agreement must be uploaded during the Experience submission process.
To begin the approval process, students will:
- Complete the Cooperative Education Learning Agreement Paper.
Instructions: - Log in to Handshake, navigate to Experiences, and select the appropriate Co-Op Experience term.
Instructions: - Complete and submit the Experience request.
- Upload the completed Learning Agreement as an attachment at the time of submission.
The Cooperative Education Coordinator will review the submission for completeness before forwarding it through the approval process to the employer and faculty reviewer(s).
Once the student submits the Co-Op Experience in Handshake, the Experience Review Process will begin.
The review workflow includes the following reviewers:
- Cooperative Education Coordinator Reviewer
The Cooperative Education Coordinator oversees the Experience Review Process and reviews the submitted Experience and documentation for completeness, accuracy, and program requirements. The coordinator also assists students with questions regarding Handshake Experience navigation and the approval process. - Employer Reviewer
The employer reviewer will review and approve the internship or work experience details submitted by the student. Employers do not need a Handshake account to complete this process. Instead, they will receive an email with a secure link to review the student鈥檚 submission. Students are encouraged to communicate with their employer in advance regarding the review process. Employers should respond to review requests in a timely manner and check their junk or spam folders for Handshake email notifications to help avoid delays in the approval process. Important: Employers will complete two evaluations (mid and final evaluations) during the semester to assess your skills and performance. Employers will receive an email containing a link to complete each evaluation through Handshake. - Faculty Reviewer
The final reviewer is the faculty Co-Op instructor. The faculty reviewer will review the Experience for academic alignment and either approve or deny the request. The faculty reviewer has final approval authority for the Experience and is responsible for grading course assignments related to the Co-Op Experience.
Students will receive notifications via email and/or their Handshake account about the status of their Co-Op Experience review. Notifications may include:
- Approval or denial decisions
- Requested revisions or feedback
- Additional comments from reviewers
If all reviewers approve the Experience, students may then enroll in the Cooperative Education (Co-Op) course through their student account for the approved semester or term.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Cooperative Education Courses List
- Cooperative Education Scholarship
- If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, please contact Michelle Marshall, Career Specialist and Cooperative Education Coordinator. Email: [email protected]