School of Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECE Cooperative Education Program

Students solder wires to a chip.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department, in collaboration with the School of Engineering, offers a cooperative education (co-op) model for undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCPE). Co-op terms provide students with on-the-job experiences as well as opportunities to learn new skills, build professional networks, and explore career pathways.

The co-op program is a selective academic opportunity designed for students who are prepared to integrate a full-time professional engineering experience into their degree program. Participation requires careful academic planning and compliance with Tufts residency requirements. Students are responsible for understanding the academic and graduation implications prior to applying.

For ECE students, the 6-month cooperative education experience runs from January 1 – June 30, annually.

Requirements

Further information can be found in the ECE Co-op Application Packet, which is available from the ECE co-op advisor.

  • BSEE and BSCPE majors in year 3 of their degree program in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA > 3.2. 

  • These courses must be completed before the start of the co-op position:

Application Process

  1. Review the ECE Co-op Application Packet.
  2. Students are required to schedule meetings during the spring semester of year 2 with the following to review academic and residency requirements before submitting an application:
    1. Major Advisor
    2. ECE Co-op Faculty Advisor (Valencia Koomson, valencia.koomson@tufts.edu)
    3. ECE Academic Advising Staff (Last names A-L: Megan Monaghan, megan.monaghan@tufts.edu; Last names M-Z: May Lam, may.lam@tufts.edu)
    4. International students are required to meet with the International Center to determine work authorization requirements.
  3. The ECE Co-op internal application is due by May 1st. The application form can be found in the ECE Co-op Application Packet.
  4. Applicants will receive a response from the department by May 30th. Selected students take ES85 and EE31 in the fall of year 3 and begin the process of searching for a co-op position.
  5. Selection by ECE and participation in the co-op program  does not guarantee an offer of employment from a company. Employers make employment decisions. Students work with the Career Center to gain access to Handshake and apply to co-op job postings during the fall term of year 3.
  6. After interviewing and obtaining an offer letter from a company, you will need to inform the Career Center and the ECE co-op advisor.

Timeline

Co-op CycleMonthsActivity
January - June 
of Year 3		May 1stStudents submit internal application materials to the ECE department.
September - DecemberSelected students take ES85 and apply for co-op positions. Sign offer and hiring agreement.
January - JuneCo-op Experience

Contact

For more information on the Tufts Electrical and Computer Engineering Co-op Program, contact the ECE Co-op Faculty Advisor, Prof. Valencia Koomson (valencia.koomson@tufts.edu). 

For logistics information on co-op placement, contact Tufts Career Center.

See also FAQs related to the School of Engineering undergraduate co-op program.