Cooperative Education (Co-op)

Registration Process

We are excited to share that co-op registration will now be managed through Handshake Experiences, providing a more efficient and streamlined process.
As part of the registration process, students will be required to:

• Upload their offer letter and signed co-op agreement form
  
• Meet with their academic advisor
  
• Meet with Financial Aid
  
• Be verified for good academic standing
  
• Receive final review from the co-op instructor

Please note: This process may take up to two weeks. Plan ahead to ensure timely completion and make sure to read the Co-op Handbook to guide you in this process.

Spring 2026 Registration Window: October 20 – January 8

The Handshake Experience link will be available during this period.

International students

You must complete all of the steps above and be registered for the Co-op course before you can request an I-20 for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). When your registration is complete you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the CPT I-20 request form. IPS will process the application and issue your CPT I-20 work authorization document by email. You will not receive a hard copy of your CPT I-20; the email is official. You must have your CPT I-20 before you begin work. If you have any questions about your I-20, please contact IPS. Please note that the I-20 email will come from opt@mtu.edu and often goes to the spam folder. If you have not received your I-20 a week after submitting your CPT form, please check your spam folder before contacting IPS.

Co-op Dates

Your co-op start and end dates must fall within these ranges.

Co-op Requirements

Undergraduate Students

• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.0
• Must be in good academic and conduct standing
• Must receive permission from their academic advisor
• Must have completed at least one semester at Michigan Tech

Graduate Students

• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0
• Must be in good academic and conduct standing
• Must receive permission from their academic or graduate advisor
• Must have completed at least one semester at Michigan Tech

International Students: additional United States governmental requirements apply

• Must have completed two full time semesters in residence at Michigan Tech
• Must not have completed all degree requirements prior to co-op semesters
• Must obtain a Social Security Number from the Secretary of State Office
• Must have work authorization (CPT)

Co-op Class

You will be registered for a 1- or 2-credit course delivered on Canvas by an instructor from MTU career services. The course requires online discussions, written reflections, evaluations, a report, and a final portfolio. These courses are offered fall, spring, and summer semesters for undergraduate and graduate students. The summer semester includes options for the full summer, track A (first half), and track B (second half). If your co-op extends over more than one term, you can choose to take the course in any term. You must successfully complete the co-op course in order to receive credit and in order to be eligible to participate in another co-op.

What if I don't need the Co-op class?

We would like you to complete the Co-op Student Information form, anyway, so that we can track and report the success of our Huskies. When completing the form, you can indicate no course registration.

What to expect on co-op

The job search and application process for co-ops and internships is similar to other jobs. Companies use the job title to indicate whether they are recruiting for full-time, co-op, or internship positions. Handshake will also make this clear in the job posting. As soon as you receive an offer letter for a co-op, contact your academic advisor to discuss how your co-op fits into your academic program, and register for your co-op with Career Services. 

While on co-op, your work should be relevant to your course of study and your career path and should be varied to provide a range of experience and training. Employers must provide co-op students with challenging, paid work. 

If you wish to extend your co-op by an additional semester, please contact co-op@mtu.edu for further information. You will need to resubmit advisor approval and an updated offer letter. In most cases, you will not need to take the co-op class again for an extended co-op.

Meet the Co-op team

• LinkedIn

Natalie Anderson

(she/her)

• Manager, Advising and Cooperative Education

• nataliea@mtu.edu
• 906-487-3370
• Administration Building 220

Responsibilities

• Advises students, alumni, and prospective students in career exploration, development, and job search skills and strategies
• Coordinates the Cooperative Education Program
• Instructs the Co-op course