School of Engineering

Full-time students in an engineering or engineering technology program are qualified to participate in our co-op and internship program. Part-time students are not eligible.

• Internships: You can participate in an internship the summer after your first year, but you'll generally begin the interview process during the fall semester of your second year.
• Co-ops: You can participate in a co-op after completing three semesters of coursework. Co-ops typically start in the spring semester of your second year, but can also take place in the summer or fall.

If you're a transfer student, you can participate in a co-op or internship after completing one semester at UD as a full-time student.

During your second year, you'll dive into the Career Launchpad — a course designed to equip you with the essential skills to thrive in today's competitive professional landscape. This isn't just about finding an experience — it's about building a foundation for lifelong success.

You'll refine your professional excellence, gaining the polish and confidence to stand out. You'll  also engage in in-depth professional inquiry, exploring your passions and talents to truly understand where you fit in the world.

Most importantly, the Career Launchpad helps you begin charting your unique path to a powerful professional identity, ensuring you're ready to make your mark from day one.

When you accept a co-op or internship offer, we encourage you to register your work experience with the Engineering Co-op and Internship Office through Handshake, which will register you for the COP course. Although this is suggested for summer work, it’s required if you are working in the fall or spring to ensure the University is aware of your professional engagement.

By registering your experience, you'll:

• Maintain your full-time status during academic semesters.
• Ensure your experience is reflected on your transcript.
• Receive support throughout the work term.
• Engage in reflective professional development skills.
• Help shape future wages, employer engagement and student employment opportunities.
• Be eligible for awards, professional organization honors and graduation distinctions.
• Receive benefits such as early move-in, late check-out and free school gear.

All UD engineering students are expected to complete the same four course assignments during their work term(s) and will receive the same level of support from the Engineering Co-op and Internship Office.

Although co-ops are often defined as alternating periods of academic study and full-time work, internships can offer many of the same valuable experiences.

In practice, the terms “co-op” and “internship” are frequently used interchangeably, and definitions can vary widely.

To be considered a co-op or internship as part of our program, your position must:

• Work full-time (32+ hours per week)
• Involve engineering-related work
• Include supervision or mentorship by an engineer
• Last the duration of an academic semester

To be considered a participant in the co-op and internship program, registration is required for each semester of work, including summer.

Starting Fall 2026, every UD student will be required to engage in a high-impact experiential learning opportunity. Participating in a co-op or internship is a popular way to fulfill this requirement.

No, participation in a co-op/internship is not required for graduation as an engineering student.

UD has a voluntary co-op/internship program, which provides you the flexibility to explore additional experiential learning opportunities (education abroad and away, ETHOS Immersions, etc.).

UD uses Handshake as its hiring platform for students. There are 20,000+ approved employers in Handshake — it's a good place to start.

There are also several events throughout the academic year that bring employers to campus, including career fairs, interview days, and tabling sessions (where companies spend a day in the main lobby of Kettering Labs).

You can stop by the Engineering Co-op and Internship Office any time you need assistance navigating Handshake, want the dates of important on-campus events, or are seeking additional support.

UD engineering students work throughout Ohio, but opportunities are available throughout the U.S..

Housing is your responsibility; however, as a registered co-op or intern, you're eligible for on-campus housing (regular housing fees apply).

If your work is outside of your hometown or away from UD, your employer may provide accommodations or housing assistance. That type of information would typically be disclosed during your interview process.

No, there are no fees to co-op/intern. Full-time student status is maintained, and enrollment verification is provided upon registration.

Because no credits are earned during the co-op/internship work term, no tuition is paid for the work experience.

During a working semester, any financial aid and University scholarships you have are paused until your next semester of coursework.

If you receive eight semesters of financial aid upon enrollment to UD, you will continue to receive those eight semesters during credit-bearing academic semesters.

Contact Flyer Student Services for more information.

The average hourly salary for our co-ops and interns (based on 2022-23 data) is $22.71/hour.

The typical working semester contains 640 working hours, which can yield more than $14,500 of gross income per semester.