Programs for Everyone

Cooperative Education (Co-op)

Michigan Tech encourages undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cooperative education, an experience which is essentially one of the most important qualifications sought by employers. The goal of the Cooperative Education Program at Michigan Tech is to provide practical work experience prior to graduation. As a joint venture between the student, the University, and an employer, work assignments are related to the student's major field of study and are varied to provide a range of training and experience.

The degree of complexity of work assignments are intended to match the level of the student's training, progressing with each work assignment. Since the co-op student must complete the same academic program as a non-co-op student, the co-op student typically defers graduation by as much as a full calendar year.

To qualify for the co-op program as an undergraduate, a student must have completed all first-year course work. Transfer students must complete at least one semester in residence at Michigan Tech. Undergraduate students in the co-op program are expected to maintain a grade point average of 2.20 or better and be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University. Each semester of undergraduate co-op carries 1 or 2 academic credits, which may be applied toward an academic degree, depending on the degree-granting department. Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Additionally, they must obtain permission from their advisor and have full-time student status while applying for and participating in the co-op assignment. Graduate students may earn from 1 to 6 credits per co-op semester.

Co-op program options are designed to accommodate the needs of both the student and the employer. Co-op assignments may range from one semester to a full year or rotate between school and work sessions.

Michigan Tech has entered into a cooperative education relationship with more then 2,000 companies and organizations in the United States and abroad. Although a majority of students choose to co-op in the Midwest, students have been placed across the nation and internationally. For more information, visit the Career Services' co-op website.

Double Majors

• A single Michigan Tech bachelor's degree with two majors is granted when all requirements of both majors are satisfied at the same time. A student who completes a double major will be awarded one diploma listing both majors, for example, "Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Additional Major in Mathematics".
• The double major is distinctly different from the second degree. Majoring in two subjects does not require additional credit hours beyond departmental requirements and only a single degree is granted. Double majors work best for degree programs with similar curricular structures. When two majors have very different requirements necessitating the completion of 32 or more "additional" credits, students should consider a second degree program that results in the awarding of two distinct baccalaureate degrees and diplomas.
• A student pursuing a double major will designate one as the primary major.  Students planning to earn a double major should declare both majors and begin planning their course work as early as possible.  Advisors must be identified in the departments of both majors in order to assure that the degree requirements of both are met.
• Students may only earn an additional major if that major is offered under the same degree type (Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts) as the primary major.  If the degree types for the majors are different then the student must pursue a second degree.
• If a single department offers two distinct majors, it is possible to complete a double major within that department by fulfilling the requirements for both majors. However, student may not earn a double concentration or option within a single major.
• In the event that both majors require a senior project, a student may petition both departments to accept one project for both majors prior to beginning the senior project.
• Students who have previously been awarded a degree cannot have the double major designation added to their transcript.

Students planning to earn a double major should declare both majors by filing a Curriculum Add/Drop form (available in the department advising office) with the Registrar's Office and begin planning their course work as early as possible. Advisors must be identified in the departments of both majors in order to assure that the degree requirements of both are met.

Additional Baccalaureate Degrees

A student enrolled at Michigan Technological University who is currently pursuing (or already has) a Baccalaureate degree or degrees can obtain an additional Baccalaureate degree from Michigan Tech. Students must initiate the process for obtaining an additional degree by completing a degree audit with their additional degree advisor. A student earning an additional Baccalaureate degree is awarded a separate diploma for the degree.

A student enrolled at Michigan Technological University and pursuing a Baccalaureate degree can earn an additional Baccalaureate degree or degrees at the same time if they:

• Satisfy the degree requirements for each Baccalaureate program.
• Earn at least 32 of the credit hours required for each additional degree through Michigan Tech without having applied those credits to any other baccalaureate or minor degree program. The academic unit offering the additional degree can allow course substitutions provided that the 32 credit hour minimum is maintained.

An enrolled student who already has earned a Baccalaureate degree (either from Michigan Tech or a college or university accepted by Michigan Tech) can obtain an additional baccalaureate degree or degrees from Michigan Tech if they:

• Satisfy the degree requirements for each additional Baccalaureate program.
• Earn at least 32 of the credit hours required for each additional degree through Michigan Tech without having applied those credits to any other baccalaureate or minor degree program. The academic unit offering the additional degree can allow course substitutions provided that the 32 credit hour minimum is maintained.

A student interested in getting an additional degree should first express their interest to the additional degree's department. A student should then complete a Curriculum Add/Drop form, have their academic advisor sign it, then return the form to the Registrar's Office.

Students who have obtained a prior baccalaureate degree must complete an Additional Baccalaureate Degree Completion Form with an academic advisor from the degree-granting department.

Students pursuing two baccalaureate degrees concurrently must complete a degree audit form with an academic advisor within the additional degree's department.

English as a Second Language Program

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program provides instruction in English language and American culture for  international students interested in pursuing a degree at Michigan Tech. 

ESL classes follow Michigan Tech’s academic calendar and are offered during fall, spring, and summer semesters.  ESL courses include all language skills, reading/vocabulary, writing, grammar, and listening/speaking at the advanced and transitional levels. 

The SMILE Program, the Summer Intensive Language Experience, is a seven-week program offered during Session B of Summer, late June to mid August. 

For more information, contact the ESL Program at humanities@mtu.edu or call 906-487-2008. 

Officers' Training (ROTC)

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Army or Air Force) is open to all US citizens enrolled at Michigan Tech. Students may enroll in Army (AR) or Air Force (AF) courses during the first two years with no obligation to the service. Those students holding ROTC scholarships become obligated to their respective service at the beginning of their sophomore year. Students completing the Army program may receive a commission as an officer in the Army. Students completing the Air Force program will receive a commission as an officer in the Air Force.