Graduate Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program

The School of Engineering Co-Op Program is open to engineering master's students who have indicated interest in the program within the admissions application, or those who have applied to join the program within their first semester as an enrolled master's student. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please contact Dean Panetta's office at enggradstudies@tufts.edu and review the SOE Graduate Student Handbook.

To enroll in the program, students must:

• Indicate interest in the SOE Co-Op Program via the admissions application, or apply to the program during their first semester as a School of Engineering master's student.

Starting Fall 2024, students enrolled in a Post-Bacc/MS or Fifth-Year MS Programs must have earned at least 18 credits* and completed 2 semesters as a matriculated and enrolled graduate student in the MS portion of their program to participate. Students enrolled in online programs, certificate programs, PhD programs, or in a post-baccalaureate (Post-Bacc) program are not eligible to participate at this time.

*Please refer to the School of Engineering Graduate Student Handbook to review all requirements for participation. The program required 20 credits for participation. The change to 18 credits means students with 18 credits may still be considered for the program and formal changes will be reflected in the SOE Graduate Student Handbook.

Students are encouraged to coordinate with Tufts Career Center and the School of Engineering’s Co-Op Program Advisor when exploring, applying, and interviewing for positions. There is no guarantee that students who enter the co-op program will find an employer. However, Tufts Career Center experts are available to help students strengthen their cover letters, resumes, interview skills, and post-interview etiquette. Please reach out to Tufts Career Center (careercenter@tufts.edu) early in your explorations.

Before launching a job search, co-op students must complete the following steps:

• Complete 18 credits*, excluding seminar credits, that count towards their master's degree.
• Finish preparatory training sessions conducted by Tufts Career Center.
• Submit the Intent to Co-Op Form by the program deadline.
• International students must also meet with a representative from the International Center to ensure that their visa status is up-to-date.

Once these preliminary steps are complete, students will:

• Receive authorization to begin a search.
• Meet with the department's co-op coordinator.
• Compose a Return to Study Agreement Plan in collaboration with the co-op coordinator and the master's program director.

Please refer to the SOE Graduate Student Handbook for job search extension policies. Contact enggradstudies@tufts.edu if any questions arise as you complete the paperwork.

*The program required 20 credits for participation. The change to 18 credits means students with 18 credits may still be considered for the program and formal changes will be reflected in the SOE Graduate Student Handbook.

The goal of the SOE Co-Op Program is to provide students an opportunity to explore career paths, make valuable industry connections, broaden their perspectives, and acquire the skills needed to succeed outside of the classroom. With these goals in mind, please carefully consider any job offers that you receive. It may be helpful to discuss offers with Tufts Career Center, a faculty mentor, and fellow students to ensure that the position aligns with your career interests. Please note, SOE Co-Op Program students are only allowed to accept one position during their time in the program.

Permissible job offers must be for a position that is:

• Full-time employment (35+ hours per week).
• Focused on engineering work experience; not performing research, grading, teaching, or writing a thesis.

While employed, students will be enrolled in an SOE Graduate Co-Op Course (0 credits). The course is evaluated as S/U based on the successful completion of the employment period. Students enrolled in this course will maintain full-time enrollment status, which preserves their current student loan repayment plan, financial aid, and healthcare coverage.

Upon completion of the employment period, students must return to campus for at least one semester. Students are expected to resume progress towards the completion of their master's degree program. The final steps of the SOE Co-Op Program include:

• Delivering a presentation to the School of Engineering co-op program advisor and the supervisor who provided employment to the student.
• Completing the Co-Op Program Exit Survey sent by Tufts Career Center and the School of Engineering.
• Finishing the master’s degree program in accordance with the Return to Study Agreement Plan composed during the search phase of the program.

Students are expected to meet and maintain the eligibility requirements listed in the SOE Graduate Student Handbook at all times. Please contact Dean Panetta's office (enggradstudies@tufts.edu) if you have concerns at any point during your co-op experience.