What is Cooperative Education?
Is Cooperative Education a required course for the LIT Certificate?
What is the difference between COOP 170 and COOP 170A?
How many units are required and must they be completed in one semester?
When may a student first enroll in Cooperative Education?
What kind of work qualifies?
Is there help available to arrange for the work situation?
What determines the number of units earned?
Should a student enroll in Cooperative Education for 4 units?
May Cooperative Education be taken on a credit/no credit basis?
Are there other requirements for enrollment in Cooperative Education?
What are the steps to a successful Cooperative Education experience?
In what ways does a student benefit from Cooperative Education?

What is Cooperative Education?
Cooperative Education at DVC is an academic program in which a student learns in an off-campus "classroom." Knowledge is gained through hands-on experience in a library where the student is already employed or as a volunteer in a library where the student works with a librarian on a project. The primary objective of the program is to give students practical working experience while they are in school. As the name implies, cooperative education is cooperation among the community (employers), students and the college.

For more information contact the Cooperative Education Office at the Career and Employment Services Center at (925) 685-1230, ext. 2435,  and visit the Cooperative Education web site at http://www.dvc.edu/career/coop.htm.

Is Cooperative Education a required course for the LIT Certificate?
Yes. To qualify for the certificate of achievement in library and information technology, a student must have received a passing grade for 2 units in either COOP 170 or COOP 170A.

What is the difference between COOP 170 and COOP 170A?
Students who take COOP 170 will earn four (4) units of credit based on an average of twenty (20) paid hours per week.  Students taking COOP 170A must obtain an internship or volunteer position and will earn one (1) to four (4) units of credit based on the average number of hours on the paid or unpaid job per week.

How many units are required and must they be completed in one semester?
The 2 required units may be earned in one semester or in a maximum of 2 semesters.

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When may a student first enroll in Cooperative Education?
There are three official prerequisite courses: completion of L100, L104 and L108.  Exceptions can be made with prior approval of the library and information technology program coordinator, Andy Kivel.  Contact him at (925) 685-1230, ext. 2170, or by email at akivel@dvc.edu. 

The following criteria are followed to determine what kind of work qualifies:

• The work experience must relate directly to library and information technology.
• The student must be involved in new or expanded library and information technology responsibilities that will develop or improve the student's skills or abilities.
• The work supervisor must be willing to supervise and evaluate the student's work. If this is not possible, the COOP instructor's approval is required.
• Either paid employment or unpaid volunteer work is acceptable.

Is there help available to arrange for the work situation?
Yes.  Students may talk to their LIT course instructors or contact Andy Kivel.

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What determines the number of units earned?
The number of units earned is determined by the number of Cooperative Education hours worked during the semester.

Should a student enroll in Cooperative Education for 4 units?
If the student is working an average of 20 (paid) hours per week, he or she should enroll in the 4-unit COOP 170. If the student is working  less than an average of 20 hours per week, or is volunteering, he or she should enroll in COOP 170A.

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May Cooperative Education be taken on a credit/no credit basis?
No. COOP 170 and COOP 170A are letter graded credit courses and the grades will be based on the formula given in the "Cooperative Work Experience Student Handbook."

Are there other requirements for enrollment in Cooperative Education?
Yes. When taking Cooperative Education the student must be enrolled in a total of at least 7 units including COOP (except summer).  During the summer, students must enroll in one other class beside COOP.

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What are the steps to a successful Cooperative Education experience?
We have found that following these steps helps to make the Cooperative Education experience both satisfying and worthwhile for the LIT students:

• At least a semester in advance, begin thinking about where you want to intern.  Contact the library and information technology department chairperson, Andy Kivel, letting him know your intentions to enroll in Cooperative Education.
• After choosing an internship (paid or volunteer), visit the Career Development Services office (located in the Career Center, Technical Education building, TE 101), ask for and submit a Cooperative Education Application form.
• Register for the COOP class at the Admissions office.
• Purchase the Cooperative Work Experience Education Student Handbook from the DVC Bookstore or access a copy online at the Cooperative Education web site (http://www.dvc.edu/career/coop.htm).  Read and understand the Handbook prior to meeting with your supervisor.

In what ways does a student benefit from Cooperative Education?
There are many benefits from a Cooperative Education experience.

These credits:

• are transferable to the California State University,
• are counted toward the A.A. degree (as electives),
• apply to your GPA (letter grade units),
• fulfill requirements for the LIT certificate,
• are applicable for Social Security benefits,
• are applicable for Veteran benefits (before completing 80 units),
• help students build an employment history,
• provide valuable work experience.

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