Participation in a co-op at the master’s degree level is an opportunity for students who have achieved excellent academic progress and success and who demonstrate professionalism to further their learning with workplace experience.

MS students in COE may participate in only one co-op experience during their program.

Co-op is not guaranteed for any student and is an optional opportunity available to students who approach their program of study intentionally and mindfully. Students must be approved to search before engaging in a search, following the processes as described below.

For COE master’s degree students, “co-op” is meant to include internships, practicums, cooperative education, residencies, and similar programs. All the requirements on this page apply to all these forms of work experience. The Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership program is a separate program. Students who apply for and are accepted to that program should contact Amy Manley to obtain help in identifying a Challenge Project Sponsor. Students in this program are not eligible for the co-op program.

Access the Graduate Co-op Handbook for detailed information on the co-op program.

Please view the Student Co-op Policy Guide and the Academic Catalog for a comprehensive list of co-op policies.

Please view the “Graduate Co-op Eligibility Requirements” in the Student Co-op Policy Guide and the Academic Catalog.

If you are an employer and would like to learn more about the engineering co-op program, visit our Employer page.

ENCP 6100 and ENCP 6000 provide students with the information, tools, and skills needed to navigate a professional job search and to successfully transition into the workplace. Specifically, this course covers how to develop field/industry-specific job search documents and guides students in defining and communicating their personal brand. Additional topics covered include ethics, professional behaviors, workplace culture, and proper interviewing techniques. This course does not count toward degree requirements.

1. Successfully complete or be enrolled in the appropriate section (by department – see Graduate School of Engineering website for more details) of Career Management for Engineers (ENCP 6000) or Introduction to Co-op (ENCP 6100).
2. If a student withdraws from ENCP 6100/6000, they will no longer be eligible to search for a co-op. Additionally, students can miss no more than two ENCP 6100/6000 classes.
3. Waivers to ENCP: Waivers to the ENCP6000/6100 courses may be granted to students who have completed an equivalent course at Northeastern or another institution, or who have sufficient full-time work experience in the United States (or in Canada for students at Canadian campuses only).
   1. ENCP 6100 Waiver Request
   2. ENCP 6000 Waiver Request

Graduate students in the Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering departments; Product Development program offered through the Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education; and University Interdisciplinary Programs with a home college in COE should email coegradcoop@northeastern.edu. Students in Software Engineering and Information Systems (SEIS) should email SEIScoop@northeastern.edu.

Northeastern University requires professional and ethical behaviors throughout the entire co-op process and sets forth explicit policy and procedures required for the continued success of our students and the co-op program. Northeastern University standards, process, and policy are communicated to all students in the Introduction to Cooperative Education course as part of their preparation for the first co-op experience, in the Academic Catalog, in the Student Co-op Policy Guide, as well as by their individual co-op coordinator. The aforementioned avenues establish co-op professional expectations of the student throughout the co-op search process and during the co-op term, establish co-op policies and procedures, and address co-op related issues that may involve performance and the expected duration of co-op.

If a situation arises that may warrant special consideration, students should speak directly with their co-op coordinator to determine whether the matter is eligible for review by the university-wide Co-op Appeals Committee. The Co-op Appeals committee consists of Co-op Directors, Co-op Representatives, and Co-op Assistant Vice Chancellors.

All appeals must be made by completing and submitting an appeals form and must demonstrate one of the following grounds for petition:

Extenuating Circumstance: Significant, unforeseen, and/or unavoidable events or conditions beyond the student’s control substantially impacted a student’s ability to participate in or complete a cooperative education experience and the student would like an exception to be able to participate in or complete their co-op as intended. Please note: All petitions must explicitly reference the extenuating circumstance and the student must clearly demonstrate how these circumstances directly affected the cooperative education experience and the outcome/resolution they would like. The Appeals Committee cannot consider a student’s financial information as part of the student’s extenuating circumstances.

Policy/Procedural Error: A cooperative education policy or procedure was not properly followed, which adversely impacted the student’s ability to participate in a cooperative education experience. Please note: A petition cannot be submitted solely on the basis of dissatisfaction with a policy or procedure; it must explicitly reference a policy or procedural error.

Academic Need: An exception to an existing cooperative education policy is necessary to address a documented academic requirement or constraint that would otherwise substantially affect the student’s ability to progress toward or complete their degree. Please note: An appeal cannot be submitted solely on the basis of academic preference, convenience, or a desire to accelerate or extend degree completion. The appeal must clearly identify the academic need, confirmed by the students’ academic advisor and/or any other relevant University representative(s), explain why it cannot reasonably be addressed through existing academic options, and specify the exception and outcome/resolution being requested.

New Information: New information has become available after the Appeals Committee decision that could not reasonably have been available during the original petition AND may be sufficient enough to alter the original Appeals Committee decision. Please note: this constitutes a rare exception and you must clearly articulate the new information while explicitly providing a justification for its unavailability at the time of your original petition submission.

Reinstatement of NUworks Access: A student whose access to NUworks has been removed may request consideration for reinstatement by demonstrating circumstances that warrant renewed access and a commitment to complying with all applicable cooperative education policies and processes. Please note: The student appeal must include a written reflection explaining: (1) the circumstances that resulted in the loss of access; (2) the specific cooperative education policy or expectations the student did not meet; (3) what the student learned from the experience and what they would do differently; and (4) the specific steps the student has taken, or will take, to remain in compliance if access is reinstated.

The Co-op Appeals Committee has standing meetings to review appeals but may expedite an appeal for early review if they determine that a decision must be made before the next scheduled meeting, but that decision is to be determined by the committee. The decision of the committee will be considered final. For instructions on submitting an appeal, please contact your co-op coordinator.

Below are sample programs of studies for MS students who are interested in participating in the co-op program. Please discuss with your academic advisor and the co-op department to understand any details as they pertain to your specific circumstances.

If a student does not secure a co-op in their first search term, they can complete the Intent to Search process again to be considered for search eligibility the following term. Students may be approved for up to 2 search terms.

Sample Fall Entry Students:

Sample Spring Entry Students: