Four Years or Five? You Choose.

Northeastern offers the powerful benefits of its signature co-op program to all students, along with the flexibility to chart the course that best aligns with their goals: a four-year option with two co-ops or a five-year option with up to three co-ops.

How does it work?

Whether four or five years, students work through a faculty-guided process to plan their academic schedules and choose from a variety of co-op opportunities and other experiential learning options, including global learning, research, and service.

All freshmen take at least a full year of classes, including the co-op preparation course, before their first co-op experience; and all co-ops are the same four- or six-month periods, allowing the same in-depth exploration and opportunity for achievement.

Those students interested in pursuing their degree in four years while completing two co-ops need to be aware of the implications for their academic schedule, but do not need to make any final decisions during the application or enrollment process. Those discussions happen during the initial consultation with their faculty advisor.

It is important to note that with those students interested in pursuing dual degrees, as well as students in architecture and certain health sciences programs, such as pharmacy and physical therapy, may not be eligible for the four-year option.

All students pay eight semesters of tuition charges regardless of whether they choose the four- or five-year option. Students opting for a four-program may reduce their overall cost of education by eliminating a year’s worth of room and board expenses.

This flexibility and choice expands the possibilities of co-op while allowing students to create the education that advances their aspirations. It’s all part of Northeastern’s student-centered approach: dual majors, “PlusOne” combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and unmatched opportunities to gain global experience and participate in research. Northeastern truly offers the world’s most powerful way to learn.