Co-op/Internship Prerequisites
Students wishing to participate in what has traditionally been called "The Cooperative Education Program" at Roger Williams University must satisfy the following prerequisites:
- Completion of freshman year
- Transfer students must have completed one semester at RWU
- 2.0 GPA or higher
- Free elective remaining in academic program when applicable
Students should always start the application procedure early in the semester preceding the semester in which they plan to do their co-op/internships. Starting the process even earlier is encouraged.
Students can participate in more than one co-op/internship for credit as long as their academic program allows it. Students are limited to a maximum of 15 credits of independent study or co-op/internship course credit in any combination during their time at RWU (refer to the University Catalog). For more information, please contact your academic advisor.
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Requirements
The Following Majors Require a Co-op/Internship taken through the Co-op/Internship Program (COOP 460) to Graduate*
*Even if your major does not require one, it is highly recommended that you try to complete a co-op/internship or other part-time experience in your chosen field of study - please use the Career Center as a resource.
Gabelli School of Business
Why do I need to take the workshop series?
- Accounting
- Computer Information Systems
- Finance
- International Business
- Management(Effective Fall 2004: All incoming freshman majoring in Management are required to take a co-op/internship in order to graduate.)
Feinstein College of Arts & Sciences
Why do I need to take the workshop series?
- Communications
- Graphic Design Communications
- Psychology
Students in the School of Justice Studies, please see your academic advisor for more information regarding internships.
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Workshops
All students who are participating in the Co-op/Internship Program and wish to obtain credit, either to fulfill a requirement or as an elective, are required to attend preparatory workshops prior to registering for their co-op/internship
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General Requirements for Employers
- A job description should be entered in HAWK'S HUNT (after you successfully log in) for each different internship position being offered including:
- Contact and company information so interested students know where to send cover letters and resumes.
- Semester/duration of internship.
- Indication if position will be open again in subsequent semesters.
- Indication if position is paid or unpaid.
- Indication if participation in a particular major is preferred or required or if position is open to all majors.
- How contact prefers to receive resumes. (i.e. mail, fax, email, etc.)
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Supply 135 hours (for 3 credits) of meaningful employment (90 hours for 2 credits or 180 hours for 4 credits)
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Fill out evaluation forms regarding interns when requested to do so by Co-op advisor at RWU - students CANNOT receive grades without evaluations (These evaluations allow us to track the progress of our student interns. Completed evaluations are kept on file as well as forwarded to the student's faculty sponsor to be considered when awarding a grade for the internship experience.)
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Allow RWU Co-op Advisor to perform brief site visit (including visit with student's supervisor) if requested by RWU Co-op Advisor.
If you are interested in providing a co-op/internship opportunity, please login to Hawk's Hunt and supply your information. Contact one of the co-op advisors with any questions.
Click here to view the Academic Calendar.
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Co-op/Internship Advisors
Patricia Finn: Gabelli School of Business majors
Carolyn Tidwell: All other students participating in the Co-op/Internship Program
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Frequently asked Questions
How do I register for a co-op/internship? AND/OR are there any prerequisite courses I must take before being allowed to register for a co-op/internship for credit?
Who is my co-op/internship advisor?
Do I have to do an internship to graduate?
How many hours do I have to work?
How do I find a co-op/internship?
Will I get a paid co-op/internship?
When can I take a co-op/internship?
When do I complete my required co-op/internship if I plan to study abroad?
Can I do more than one co-op/internship?
How are co-ops/internships graded?
Can I take my internship at home during the summer?
Why do I have to take the Co-op/Internship Workshops?
Can I receive credit for an internship I did last semester but for which I did not register?
Can I do a non-credited internship?
How do I register for a co-op/internship?
Note 1:You CANNOT register for a cooperative education experience through Campus Cruiser.
Note 2: You MUST attend a preparatory workshop.
To register for your co-op/internship you must:
- Accept a specific co-op/internship position! You must know where you are working BEFORE you can register for your co-op/internship.
- Obtain a job description from your employer or print the description from Hawk's Hunt.
- Contact your co-op/internship advisor and obtain a learning contract and attach the job description.
- Find a faculty sponsor and obtain his or her signature on the learning contract.
- Return the learning contract and job description to your co-op/internship advisor and together complete the registration paperwork.
- Deliver the completed registration paperwork to the Registrar before the add deadline.
Should you miss the deadline to add a course, you will be required to obtain permission from the Academics Standards Committee to add the course to your schedule. See your co-op/internship advisor to start this process.
AND YES! You are required to take a series of preparatory workshops before participating in the Co-op/Internship Program. The workshops are offered several times during the academic year. You may sign up in HAWK'S HUNT for the date and time of your choice.
The workshops may be taken any semester prior to your co-op/internship, need only be taken once, and your attendance does not expire. Even if the workshop requirement has been met, you are responsible for checking this web page for updates and changes of policy which may have occurred since you attended.
Who is my co-op/internship advisor?
Before starting an internship call or visit the career center for updated information.
Do I have to do an internship to graduate?
Currently the following majors require students to do internships in order to graduate: Accounting, CIS, International Business, Finance, Management, Psychology, and Communications, and Graphic Design.(Effective Fall 2004: All incoming freshman majoring in Management are required to take a co-op/internship in order to graduate.)
If your major is not listed, check with your academic advisor for further information specific to your major. Some academic departments coordinate their own internship programs.
How many hours do I have to work?
All students in majors requiring co-ops/internships must complete a minimum of 135 hours to earn the requisite 3 credits. However, you may earn more or fewer credits if fulfilling a requirement is not an issue. Discuss the possibilities with your co-op/internship advisor.
How do I find a co-op/internship?
There are many ways to identify possible co-op/internship opportunities. These will be covered in the Co-op/Internship Preparatory Workshops.
Will I get a paid co-op/internship?
Most co-ops/internships are unpaid, but both paid and unpaid co-ops/internships can be done for credit.
When should I take a co-op/internship?
If you are in a major that requires a co-op/internship, you must discuss the time frame with your academic advisor, as most of these majors require at least junior standing.
However, it is the policy of the Career Center to encourage all students to do co-ops/internships as often as their schedules allow. Therefore, you may do an elective co-op/internship and receive credit for it as soon as you have completed your first year, have a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and have completed the workshop series.
Transfer students must complete one semester at RWU. You may find doing a co-op/internship in the second semester of your senior year is more complicated than at other times. Co-op/internship advisors recommend you complete your co-op/internship prior to your last semester, if at all possible.
When do I complete my required co-op/internship if I plan to study abroad?
You need to be aware of the extra time and planning needed to complete an internship if you intend to study abroad. You should look ahead and plan your semesters accordingly. If possible, complete the preparatory workshops before going abroad.
Doing a co-op/internship in the semester you return takes careful planning in advance. Keep in mind doing an internship in the second semester of your senior year may be more complicated than at other times, particularly if you are abroad in the first semester of your senior year. Co-op/internship advisors recommend you complete your co-op/internship prior to your last semesters, if at all possible.
Can I do more than one co-op/internship?
Yes!
How are co-ops/internships graded?
After discussing it with your faculty sponsor at the beginning of your internship, you may elect to receive a pass/fail or a letter grade. Your decision at that time is final and can not be changed at a later date. If you do not indicate your choice of grade the default is pass/fail.
Some faculty sponsors will only grade co-ops/internship on a pass/fail basis. Please discuss this with your faculty sponsor. At the end of your internship, your faculty sponsor will receive a copy of your final paper and evaluations from your work supervisor, among other things. Your faculty sponsor will review these materials and award a grade.
Can I take my internship at home during the summer?
Yes, but you must still complete the preparation workshops and registration requirements with your co-op/internship advisor BEFORE you begin your co-op/internship.
Why do I have to take the Co-op/Internship Workshops?
The workshops are a prerequisite of COOP 460. Along with receiving a comprehensive overview of the program's requirements, procedures, and deadlines, you will learn job-seeking skills which will benefit you in future employment searches.
Can I receive credit for an internship I did last semester but didn't register for?
No. You must complete your hours within the semester you are registered for COOP 460. If you were not registered while interning, you may not receive retroactive credit.
Can I do a non-credited internship?
YES! The Career Center will also help you find non-credited opportunities. Please also use HAWK'S HUNT to search for part-time opportunities in your field of study or interest.
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"Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I'll remember. Involve me and I'll learn."
Marla Jones
- HAWK'S HUNT
- Internships USA
This is a password protected site. You can find the username and password in the announcement section of HAWK'S HUNT.
Roger Williams University Career Center
Center For Student Development(CSD)
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: (401) 254-3224
Fax: (401) 254-3497
careers@rwu.edu