The University of Cincinnati (UC) has the oldest and one of the largest cooperative education programs in the world. It invented cooperative education in 1906; each year more than 3,500 students participate in co-op, and their program consistently ranks in the top 20 nationwide.

In 2013, UC has partnered with Chongqing University (CQU) to create the Joint Co-op Institute (JCI) at CQU, which has brought in FIRST and ONLY Co-op program in China. The JCI students enroll in the same classes and have the same co-op rotations as UC students. It is expected that most of the CQU co-op assignments will take place in China, but placement in the US is also possible.

Formal cooperative education (often shortened to “co-op”) is an educational model in which a student alternates traditional academic semesters with semesters spent working full-time in the field.

The work is paid, full-time (at least 35 hours per week) for 15 to 18 weeks at a time, related to the student’s major, supervised and evaluated.

As a student in JCI, you’ll complete five co-op terms prior to graduation. Before the first Co-op, you’ll complete a coaching course on resumes, interview, professional communicating skills, etc.. During each co-op term, you’ll complete a course to help you focus on your academic and professional development. Your co-op employers also evaluate your performance.

Co-op is real-world work experience in a professional setting. Co-op students perform many of the same tasks as an entry-level professional at a level appropriate to their advancement in school. Co-op promotes your professional development and gives you a chance to apply what you learn in class. You graduate with substantial, major-related experience on your resume.

Although co-op employers are not required or expected to offer full-time jobs after graduation, sometimes the student’s performance and the employer’s hiring needs align, and every year a number of students receive full-time job offers from co-op employers as they approach graduation.

But we’re more than just co-op.

We're building on that foundation to make paid, supervised, major-related work experience and self-reflection integral to the education of every baccalaureate student. At the same time, we prepare students for the world of work with professional development courses, coaching and career services.

For JCI students, this means graduating with dual degrees, a resume and a plan for your future.

For companies and organizations, this means a wealth of talent is available here and eager to work with you in a variety of traditional and non-traditional arrangements. We'll help you find what works best for you and continue to support you in a long-term relationship with the University.