Cooperative Education FAQs

Program Basics

You will complete an application and interview process. Top candidates will be selected through this holistic approach.

No. All of Lakeland's programs can be completed without enrolling in the co-op program.

You may stay at one employer or change employers during your time at Lakeland. Your faculty advisor will work closely with you to identify opportunities that best support your career goals.

No, you are not required to participate in cooperative education for all four years. 

Maybe. It will depend on whether there are open spots in the program and how far you have matriculated in your program.

We will work with you to identify co-op opportunities that support your new major.

We will work with all interested students to determine if a co-op track can be established regardless of major. Lakeland offers a co-op minor to any student in any major.

No. In fact, co-op opportunities can even be arranged at employers in the community you call home.

We’ll work with you and your employer to determine the type of work. Your work will progress in responsibility as you build your education and skills within your major. The goal is to develop the professional skills valued by employers.

Lakeland is in the process of building co-op opportunities with Wisconsin's premier employers. Our founding partners include: Johnsonville, Kohler, Sargento, Masters Gallery Foods, The Osthoff Resort, Blue Harbor Resort, Schenck, CliftonLarsonAllen, Bemis, Vollrath, Sun Graphics Media, Aurora Health Care, United Way and Inspire Sheboygan. Additional partnerships are being established to accommodate students from all academic programs.

You must maintain acceptable academic performance to remain at Lakeland and to stay in the program.

Schedule Questions

The co-op program is designed to provide students the opportunity to work full time in alternating semesters with their course work. For example, students may work full time during the summer and fall following their second year at Lakeland and then return to the classroom full time in the spring term. Of course, if students are interested in earning extra income in support of their tuition and expenses during the semesters they are in school they may work part-time. Studies show that students who work 10-15 hours per week while their studies actually perform better academically than those who don't work at all.

Athletes have many demands on their time, but Lakeland is committed to helping all students achieve their career goals. Your faculty advisor will assist you in investigating how a co-op opportunity can work for an LU athlete. Most of our co-op partners have said they are willing to work around athletic schedules.

Lakeland's co-op programs support a summer break after your first year if you desire. Fall break, winter break, and spring break are all possibilities depending on the work schedule you choose.

Yes, we’ll work with you to being your co-op work as soon as you would like.

Financial Questions

You will be assigned a financial aid advisor who can assist you with that task.

Yes. $75 per week double; $110 per week for single.

Yes, if you choose for your wages to offset these expenses.

Students can choose a financial plan – with the option for all or some of the wages earned to be put directly toward tuition.

Overtime is an option with off-campus employers unless you are an international student.

Yes, but limiting your work to summer hours will not maximize the earning and professional development potential of the program.

Your hourly pay will vary depending on employment opportunity.

Yes. That is your money to use toward personal or other educational expenses, like books. 

If you have further questions about Lakeland's cooperative education, fill out our contact form and we will answer your questions promptly!

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