Cooperative Education

College-level cooperative education programs have existed since 1906. The co-op program at Kettering University was established in 1919, when the school first opened its doors as the School of Automotive Trades.

A Student in a Computer Lab
The purpose of Kettering University’s professional cooperative education program has always been to combine theory taught in the classroom with the experience gained in the workplace. The mandatory work component of the program represents a substantial portion of your curriculum, and your level of responsibility normally increases as you complete advanced coursework.

Unlike other co-op programs or internships, Kettering sends students to work in their freshman year. We encourage you to stay with the same organization throughout your entire undergraduate education, so you have plenty of time to develop your talents and skills - and increase your value to your co-op employer.

What's more, Kettering offers one of the few co-op programs in the nation that alternates three month work terms with three month school terms. This means that you can almost immediately apply what you learn in the classroom on the job – and that you’ll never be bored.