Cooperative education

Cooperative education (or co-operative education) is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience.

This article is about combining classroom education and work experience. For the study and education about co-operative societies, see co-operative studies. For a classroom organization around academic and social learning experiences, see Cooperative learning.

A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a "co-op" or work-study program, provides academic credit for structured work experiences, helping young people in school-to-work transition.

It falls under the umbrella of work-integrated learning (alongside internships, service learning, and clinical placements) but is distinct, as it alternates a school term with a work term, reflecting a partnership between the academic institution and the employer, intended to advance the education of the student.

The University of Waterloo operates the largest post-secondary co-op program in the world, with nearly 20,000 co-op students enrolled over three semesters in more than 120 programs.

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