Cooperative education (co-op) was invented at the University of Cincinnati more than 100 years ago, and we continue to innovate all aspects of experience-based learning, including internships, service learning, virtual co-ops, community projects and industry partnerships.

UC offers many different hands-on learning opportunities to all students to help prepare you for life after college. The most popular offerings are co-ops and internships.

While both of these programs focus on providing opportunities for students to enhance their learning through experience, the format and the time commitment of the programs vary.

Co-op: A co-op is a structured, often formal program where students alternate between periods of academic study and paid, full-time work in a field related to their academic major. 

Fun fact: Co-op was invented at UC over 100 years ago!

Internship: An internship is a short-term position, usually part-time, where students gain practical experience in a specific field. Internships can be paid or unpaid and can often be used to earn academic credit.

See our comprehensive guide to internships.

Co-ops are usually full-time positions that take place over a semester, and are often built into the curriculum as a graduation requirement. Co-op students are paid for their work and typically don't take classes during their co-op semesters. 

Co-ops are more rigorous than internships and are designed to help students apply their classroom learning to real-world projects. Students in the co-op program usually work at least 35 hours per week for a full academic semester.

UC students can work for businesses and organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, and can choose to work close to home, in Cincinnati, or travel nationally or even internationally.

Internships may also be full time, but generally require fewer hours of work and may occur while the student is still taking other classes. Internships usually last 12-16 weeks, or a full semester, and take place 8-12 hours per week.

How does a co-op differ from an internship?

• Duration and structure: Co-ops are longer and more structured, with periods of full-time work and study alternating. Internships are generally shorter, with more flexible scheduling.

• Academic integration: Co-op programs are more deeply integrated into academic programs, sometimes requiring students to complete a certain number of co-op terms for their degree, like at UC. Internships may not be as academically tied.

• Compensation: Co-ops tend to offer more paid positions, whereas internships can often be unpaid.

• Work experience: Students on co-op usually take on more responsibility, as they’re in the role for a longer period and often rotate between working and studying.

What are co-op vs. internship benefits? They share many:

• Both are designed to provide professional, major-related work experience.

• Both can offer academic credit and enhance your resume.

• Both help students hone valuable transferable skills employers look for.

• Both aim to help students network and build connections within their chosen industries.

• Both allow students to evaluate potential career options. “Try before you buy.”

It’s important to note that schools, programs and employers all use different terminology. Employers may still hire co-op students that they internally refer as interns. 

Outside of traditional co-op and internships, UC offers a number of experience-based educational opportunities, including service learning, virtual co-ops, experiences abroad, community projects, part-time co-op, industry partnerships and project-based co-op.

Learning through experience is part of the UC education and a major reason why many students choose UC.