Did you know you can get course credit for your job, internship or volunteer work?
With Cooperative Education you can earn 1-4 units per semester (lifetime max of 16 units) of transferable, elective credit for on-the-job learning.
Cooperative Education can also help you boost your grade point average and maintain full-time student status.
As a Cooperative Education student, you will collaborate with your instructor and worksite supervisor to create your own learning objectives designed to help you increase your employable skills and capabilities, enhance professional qualities, and prepare you for your future career.
How to Sign Up
1. Register for COOP 160, 170 or 099.
2. Attend orientation. You should get an email letting you know the times, dates and locations.
3. Submit these forms:
Cooperative Education Application
Cooperative Education Learning Objectives
How it Works
The number of units you can earn depends on the number of hours you work per week, and whether the position is paid or unpaid.
Fall / Spring Full Semester – Paid
| Units | Average Hours Per Week | Total Semester Hours |
| 1 | 5 | 75 |
| 2 | 10 | 150 |
| 3 | 15 | 225 |
| 4 | 20 | 300 |
Fall / Spring Full Semester – Unpaid
| Units | Average Hours Per Week | Total Semester Hours |
| 1 | 4 | 60 |
| 2 | 8 | 120 |
| 3 | 12 | 180 |
| 4 | 15 | 240 |
Summer Six-Week – Paid
| Units | Average Hours Per Week | Total Semester Hours |
| 1 | 13 | 75 |
| 2 | 25 | 150 |
| 3 | 37.5 | 225 |
| 4 | 50 | 300 |
Summer Six-Week – Unpaid
| Units | Average Hours Per Week | Total Semester Hours |
| 1 | 4 | 60 |
| 2 | 8 | 120 |
| 3 | 12 | 180 |
| 4 | 15 | 240 |
Other things to know:
- Up to a total of 16 units may be used as electives toward an A.A. or A.S. degree at Contra Costa College.
- The California State University system will accept up to 16 units of Coop Ed as lower division electives.
- The University of California system will not accept Coop Ed units.
- Private universities and colleges vary. If you plan to attend one, you should contact their admissions offices about whether they are transferable.
Which COOP Course to Register For
There are two types of Cooperative Education courses available at Contra Costa College:
If you’re working or volunteering at a job that is related to your major, you should register for COOP 170. You can take this course up to four times, but you can only earn a maximum of 16 units from it and 160 combined.
If you’re working or volunteering at a job that is not related to your major, you should register for COOP 160. You can’t repeat this course.
Specific majors also have their own Cooperative Education courses, which are listed in the catalog as course 099 of those departments. These include Automotive Services (AUSER 099), Administration of Justice (ADJUS 099), Business Office Technology (BOT 099), Biological Science (BioSc 099), Business (BUS 099), Computer Information Systems (CIS 099), Cooperative Education-Variable Programs (COOP 170), Culinary Arts Management (Culin 099), Early Childhood Development (ECHD 099), Health and Human Services (HHS 099), and Medical Assisting and Office Technician (MEDIC 099).