Co-op & Internship

What is a Co-op?

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is an academic program that gives students the opportunity to gain paid professional work experience before graduation. Co-op work experiences are aligned with your major and improve your understanding of the relationship between classroom theory and practical application. Nearly 2600 different companies have hired NJIT students over the past decade. Employers range from large multinationals to small start-up companies. Students have completed their co-op assignments in New Jersey, across the nation, and overseas. Recent co-op employers include:

Co-op Work Cycles

You may work in one or more co-op assignments, depending on individual preference and eligibility. Work placements do not have to be consecutive. Students should apply the semester before the cycle in which you would like to work. The typical work cycles available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents (Fall-focused below).   FOR ALL F-1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: For co-op work cycles for students requiring Curricular Practical Training, CLICK HERE. 

• Fall semester: September through December
• Spring semester: January through May
• Summer: May - August
• 6-month co-op option for NCE program: June, July, or August through December

For more information about the benefits and impacts of Cooperative Education, visit our Co-op Facts Sheet.

How to apply for Co-op

Undergraduate NCE/SAET students should check their Co-op website for eligibility criteria and submitting Co-op offer instructions. Undergraduate NCE/SAET students do not have to fill out a Cooperative Education (CO-OP) Eligibility Application in Handshake.

Information for YWCC, MTSM, HCAD, JHCSLA students:
Log into Handshake and complete your profile, upload your resume, and select your career interests. Complete the Cooperative Education (CO-OP) Eligibility Application: Click “Career Center,” then “Surveys,” and complete the “Cooperative Education (CO-OP) Eligibility Application” (you will receive an email confirming your acceptance within 3-5 business days).
If you have any questions about the application process of the Co-op program, please email cds@njit.edu

Check the eligibility for your major’s co-op program below.

*Transfer students must complete at least 1 semester at NJIT to be eligible to apply for the co-op program  **Master's students: for a detailed description of co-op policy, please review the Graduate Cooperative Education Summary of Policy.  ***Ph.D. students must have approval to participate in co-op from their academic advisor, dissertation advisor, and the Office of Graduate Studies in addition to meeting the criteria for master's students

After Co-op Program Acceptance

1. Review the following CDS resources:
   • Resumes and Cover Letters
   • Interview Prep
2. Make an appointment with your career advisor
3. Apply for Co-op opportunities on Handshake and other job search platforms

4. Complete the Experience Form on Handshake by following these instructions and uploading the necessary documents. 

   1. Offer Letter (which must include):
      • Company letterhead and logo
      • Exact number of hours per week
      • Salary
      • Detailed Co-op Job/Internship responsibilities
      • Direct supervisor’s contact information (company mailing address, email, phone number)
      • Start date and end date (F1 Students must coincide with academic semester)
   2. Unofficial Transcript:
      • Go to the Highlander Pipeline.
      • Go to Academic Profile Academic Transcript.
      • Download your Unofficial Transcript as a PDF

   To find your co-op faculty advisor, visit our Co-op Faculty Advisors spreadsheet.

5. After submitting the Experience Form, it will be reviewed/approved by the following parties:

   • Your Co-Op Faculty Advisor
   • Employer/supervisor
   • Career Advisor (you will obtain the co-op course registration permit after your form has been approved by the first two parties)
   • Office of Global Initiatives* (International students ONLY)- for final approval and issuing the I-20 with CPT authorization

   
   You are responsible for checking on the approval progress of you Experience Form and reaching out to your approvers to have them review and approve your experience. Note that approvals go in order and have deadlines to complete the process.

6. After receiving all approvals and completing co-op course registration, upload your latest transcript, that shows proof of registration , to your Experience Form and email your career advisor to finalize approval from CDS.

*NOTE: F-1 international students must apply for co-op and for CPT. CPT processing takes up to 10 business days after Career Advisor approval. Students cannot start work until they receive a CPT I-20 with start and end dates. The deadline to enter a Spring Experience is January 26, 2026 (no exceptions).
Career Development Services does not handle academics / coursework / grading of the co-op course. Please discuss these topics with your Co-op Faculty Advisor

Co-op Program Resources