Cooperative education is a structured method of combining academic education with practical work experience.
Research indicates that one of the attributes employers value most in newly hired employees is work experience A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a "co-op", provides academic credit for career work.
Cooperative education is taking on new importance in school-to-work transition, service learning, and experiential learning initiatives.
Students working on a cooperative education assignment are typically held in higher regard than interns.