Parents

Co-op offers your student the unique opportunity to combine an outstanding academic education with up to 18 months of full-time professional work experience.

We believe an informed, supportive family plays a major role in a student's educational success. Here, we've complied the questions that parents most often ask about Cooperative Education. To learn more, visit our How Co-op Works page and our student FAQ section. 

What is the difference between an internship and a Northeastern co-op?

A Northeastern student in a co-op position works full-time for a period of six months and is usually paid, while internships may be part-time and unpaid.

If my child never had a job before, will he or she get hired?

In most cases, the answer is yes. Co-op positions are available at various levels, and your child's coordinator will work with him or her to identify appropriate jobs.

Are jobs accessible by public transportation? Does my child need a car?

A car is not required. Many jobs in the Boston area are accessible by public transportation. However, students may need to utilize the bus or commuter rail, or transfer from the subway line that stops on campus. Some employers in suburban locations provide or subsidize transportation, and an online tool helps students arrange ride shares with other co-op students.

Can my child live at home while on co-op?

Yes. If you live in the Boston area or your child secures a co-op job in your hometown, he or she is welcome to live at home.

What about health care?

Full-time undergraduates are eligible for care at University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) even when they are on co-op, regardless of their insurance. If your child is enrolled in the student health plan, coverage continues during co-op.

What kind of support will my child receive on co-op?

In addition to an academic adviser, each student works one-on-one with a co-op coordinator. He or she specializes in your child's major and helps your child prepare for co-op, find a job, and reflect on the experience to get the most from it. In addition, co-op is embedded into our curriculum and scheduling.

Can I talk with my child's co-op coordinator?

We encourage parents to foster independence in their child by encouraging them to be proactive during the co-op process and bring up any concerns with their co-op coordinator. However, should you have a question or concern, you are welcome to contact their co-op coordinator.

What are the extra costs?

In the most popular track, students complete three co-ops and their academic coursework in five years. However, a Northeastern education does not cost more than a traditional four-year college (with the exception of room and board). Other schools may charge tuition for internship credit. In addition, students leave Northeastern with up to eighteen months' of full-time work experience already on their resumes-a key asset in their search for a job or applications to graduate school. Students may also pursue other tracks with fewer or no co-ops.

Will my child receive a salary on co-op?

Co-op salaries are set by employers and depend on the industry, the level of the position, the student's experience, and market conditions. Northeastern encourages co-op employers to pay a salary, and the majority of our employers do. However, not all industries or employers can or do pay. To view average salaries for students enrolled in Northeastern's various colleges, please visit “Co-op by College.”

Is a co-op job guaranteed?

No. A student’s co-op coordinator will make every reasonable effort to help students find a position, but because of job-market or other external conditions, Northeastern cannot guarantee that every student will have a job during each of their co-op terms.