I. Co-Op Work Registration
Work registration procedures include:
- Reporting to the Co-op Office two days prior to the University's final examinations for the semester immediately preceding the work semester.
- Completing the "Co-op Registration: form and paying the accompanying Co-op registration fee plus any selected optional fees.
- Furnishing a complete "Work Address" card to the Co-op Office by the date indicated on the card. (This enables Co-op students to receive University mailings while at work.)
II. Co-Op School Registration
Once you have been designated an "ACTIVE" Co-op student you must complete a "Co-op Registration" form at the beginning of each school semester prior to the last official day to schedule classes.
III. Co-op Probations
"Co-Op Probation" will result if the student:
- Fails to maintain a 2.00/4.00 Grade Point Average for any school semester.
- Receives an overall work evaluation of "marginal" (D).
Students not on Co-op Probation shall be considered to be in "good standing" in the Co-op Program.
IV. Removal From the Co-Op Program
A student will automatically be removed from the Co-op Program if the student:
- Has an unscheduled withdrawal or departure from the University during a school or work semester.
- Becomes ineligible for immediate readmission to the University.
- Fails to complete a Co-op work semester. Completion of a work semester includes submitting a completed work report form.
- Receives a work rating of "unsatisfactory" for a Co-op work semester.
- Receives two probations consisting of a school semester with less than a 2.00 Semester Grade Point Average immediately following or followed by a work semester rated "Marginal - Grade = D".
- Is placed on Co-op probation (below a 2.00 Semester GPA) and does not establish at least a 2.00 GPA during the next scheduled school semester.
- Accumulates a total of three Co-op probation periods.
- Receives a 0.00 Grade Point Average for a school semester.
- Fails to register with the Co-op Program for a work semester by the last date for registration as established in the official University Calendar.
- Fails to register with the Co-op Program for a school semester by the last date for registration as established in the official University Calendar.
- Fails to meet any other specific published requirement of the University, their academic college or department, or the Co-op Program.
Any student terminated from the Program, who feels that there are extenuating circumstances concerning their termination, may request a copy of the program's reinstatement policy.
V. Employment Acceptance
When concurrence on employment between the student, employer and the Co-op office is reached and the Co-op office issues a formal letter of acceptance the student becomes designated as an "ACTIVE" co-op student. A student accepting employment with an employer is expected to complete a school/work rotation schedule and to remain with that employer throughout the Program.
VI. Rotation
The student is expected to rotate on an alternating semester basis between work and school unless otherwise indicated on the signed rotation schedule. The Co-op Office will periodically publish a "Co-op Calendar" establishing the normal rotation dates for work semesters. School semesters will follow the dates outlined in the University calendar. Any variation from the approved rotation schedule has to be approved by the director of the Co-op Program. Exceptions are considered only in extreme circumstances.
VII. Academic Major Changes
Placement and employer acceptance of a Co-op student are based on a number of factors including academic major. Therefore, continued Co-op student employment is contingent upon pursuing the major in which the student was placed.
VIII. Graduate Program
Persons with a baccalaureate degree may be eligible to participate in the Graduate Co-op Program once they have been admitted to the MSU Graduate Program and pending acceptace by their major department, an approved Co-op employer, and the Co-op office.
IX. Co-Op Certification
Students completing a minimum of 52 work-weeks in good standing under the Co-op Program are eligible to receive Co-op certification upon graduation from the University. Students must register for the applicable Co-op course for each work semester. These courses are listed in the MSU master schedule every semester. The official University transcript documents Co-op participation.
Students completing the 52 week requirement become designated as "complete" Co-op students and must continue to complete Co-op school registration each semester unitl graduation.
X. Extension Courses
Generally, extension courses may be taken by Co-op students during a work semester if classes are offered in their immediate work location. However, written concurrence should be obtained from both the student's employer and department head at Mississippi State University prior to registration for the course(s).