Home > Admissions > Co-Op Program Home > Elements of Co-Op Employment
Elements of Co-Op Employment
Length: Employment may be authorized for as long as a student is enrolled and pursuing a the completion of their graduate degree. However, for international students, exceeding twelve (12) months of full-time CPT results in ineligibility for post graduate work authorization (OPT). Part-time CPT employment is counted at half the rate of full-time, therefore, exceeding a total of 24 months will result in OPT denial as well.
Obtaining Employment: As part of the experience, each student is responsible for searching for prospective employers, going through the interview process, and satisfactorily completing the duties of their job. UNVA will guide students through the entire experience through advising, processing of documents, and, when available, posting of local job openings.
Once a job has been procured by the student, an application must be filed at the career center of the University. If the job and application meet requirements and has been approved, the employment may be applied to the program for credit and other benefits of the co-op program.
Maintenance of Employment: In order for the employment to be approved for every quadmester, students must maintain good standing within the university. This includes enrolling in courses and abiding by university policies. Students must also complete assignments and forms as given by their advisors. This is to ensure that students are benefiting from the program and that academic value of the program is preserved.
Types of Employment Applicable to the Program: UNVA will only approve employment that is determined to be directly related to the student's proposed major program of study. This is a requirement of the regulations guiding CPT and university requirement, as well.
Location of Employment: Students may work at any site that does not interfere with their academic program. All students are subject to UNVA's attendance policies at all times.
Probable Wages: Federal wage law requires that people working in the U.S. receive a minimum of $6.55 per hour. However, because of the degree requirement to enter the co-op program, students are often paid at least $8.00 per hour. Those students that continually improve their employee repertoires and are vigorous in the employment process often earn above average wages and salaries.
|
