Cooperative education (co-op):

This is an optional academic program designed to enrich students' educational experiences by providing them with salaried work experience related to their majors, minors, or career goals. Co-op students are placed either in full- or part-time positions. They may elect to receive credit for their placement, or they may participate in the non-credit option.

Students who select the credit option register for one or two three-credit co-op courses which are designed to maximize their learning experience. The students' coursework and their placements are monitored by faculty members.

Students who enroll in the non-credit option are also monitored by the faculty. The students pay a fee to participate in this option too. The Co-op experience is noted on the student's transcript.

More than 100 employers list training positions with the University each year. The majority are located in the Greater Philadelphia area. Employers from Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Washington D.C. also participate.

Co-op employers offer job situations which cover the entire spectrum of employment opportunities in the world. Every effort is made to assure students a quality placement.

To be eligible for co-op, students must attend Philadelphia University full time. The following requirements must also be met:

• have earned 60 college credits (architecture students must have earned 90 credits)
• have earned 15 credits at Philadelphia University
• have a 2.5 GPA overall
• have a 2.5 GPA in their major
  

Study Abroad:

The Study Abroad Program encourages students to add an international dimension to their education while experiencing the culture of another country firsthand. Students may study abroad for a few weeks or an entire semester. The University views the Study Abroad Program as an investment in students' growth and development. Students who apply for the program are given individualized attention. Students discuss their academic career goals with their academic advisor and a member of the Study Abroad staff. Based on these discussions, an ideal location for study is selected.

Students who are accepted into this program register for study at an international college or university with academic programs similar to those at Philadelphia University. The courses at these institutions are taught by faculty members who are fully qualified. The credits that are earned while overseas are reported on the students' Philadelphia University transcripts.

The University currently offers study abroad options in Austria, Britain, France, Italy, Mexico, Scotland, and Spain. In most cases, students who study abroad for a full semester are enrolled full-time at a host institution and have access to housing and all the services, facilities and privileges available to the host institutions' students. The School of Business Administration has special relations with two schools: Reutlingen in Germany and ITESM in Mexico (learn more by clicking <here>).

GPA requirements for the Study Abroad Program:

• Students who elect to participate in study abroad programs that are not sponsored by the University must have at least a 2.5 GPA to receive transfer credit.
• Students enrolled in exchange programs sponsored by the University must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
• Students enrolled in Philadelphia University's study abroad courses must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
• It is understood that host institutions may impose higher GPA standards and/or additional requirements, and that the GPA requirements must be met at the time the student begins the study abroad program.

For additional information, please visit the Co-Op and Study Abroad web sites, or call the Co-op office at 215-951-2815 for an appointment with a Co-Operative Education or Study Abroad representative.