Yes! Cooperative Education is available to students in every major at Lakeland. Once a student passes our 1-credit Co-op EXP 100: Professional Protocol class, which introduces career readiness skills and supports career exploration, students can begin earning Co-Op credit towards their degree. (Some students currently employed may qualify for a waiver).

Lakeland University students can earn up to 25% of their degree (typically 20 credits for associate degree; 30 credits undergraduate degree; 15 for graduate ) through Cooperative Education.

There are many variables to Co-Op wages (employer, position, qualifications, and hours worked). The Cooperative Education and Career Readiness team works with students to help them identify opportunities that align with their career interests and financial goals.

Employer partners from across the state of Wisconsin that represent a wide variety of professional work environments and industries are eagerly collaborating with Lakeland to hire well-prepared, highly motivated students. No matter the pathway students choose, our Cooperative Education & Career Readiness team will help connect them with our powerful career network to land a job at one of the area's top companies.

Students can earn co-op credit with any organization that provides meaningful work experience (paid or unpaid) and is willing to communicate with the Cooperative Education & Career Readiness team to confirm employment and hours worked.

Our Cooperative Education program provides deeper, more immersive experiences than the traditional internship. Co-Op students can spend an extended period of time with the organization, earn credit with them multiple semesters, and become valued members of their team – sometimes leading to full-time job offers upon graduation! Unlike many internships, Co-Op students are hired as employees, paid through typical payroll processes, and are held to the same standards as other part-time and full-time employees, providing them with a real-life experience. Lakeland’s Co-Op students are gaining valuable work experience, making professional connections, and graduating with the skills and confidence they need to enter the workforce.

Your first step in the Cooperative Education program is EXP 100: Professional Protocol. This is a one-credit course that covers career readiness skills and helps prepare you for the program. Students typically take this class in their first year. Your academic advisor can help you plan out the best time to register for this class.

Graduate students have a variety of options to earn Co-Op credit throughout their time at Lakeland. Whether it is projects you’re already doing or much-needed tasks your boss doesn’t have time for – only Lakeland lets you earn academic credit for real-time work projects. Students help work on solutions to real workplace problems and challenges, benefiting today’s companies and developing tomorrow’s next great innovators! Students in our MBA and MS-LOD programs are able to select a Student Designed concentration where they can build Co-Op and Project Based learning right into their degree requirements.

Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program provides students the opportunity to earn income, academic credit, and gain professional experience all while in school. The mentoring and guidance that students receive throughout the Co-Op program helps them to make informed academic and career decisions, which can help increase their likelihood to graduate on time (or early), secure employment upon graduation, and possibly have a higher earning potential when entering their career due to experience.