Co-ops & Internships

The UA Fort Smith Experiential Learning program is a combined effort of the University, employers and students to integrate work experience into academic programs. The Career Services Office works in conjunction with UAFS faculty to assist students in preparing for and finding cooperative education (co-op) or internship experiences that match the students’ career goals and interests within the selected field of study.

Co-ops and internships provide students with experience that integrates theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development on the job; in turn, this contributes to the development of personal and professional maturity and ethics. In addition, the program provides employers with a cost-effective opportunity to assist in student development, supplement the workforce with emerging talent, and enhance long-range recruiting efforts by evaluating students' potential for employment upon graduation while increasing company exposure within our university.

Forms to be complete

Primary Requirements for Participating Employers

1. Provide a detailed job description to the Career Services Office

The job description should include:

Position description
Location of work
Nature of work environment
Rate of compensation
Physical conditions
Benefits (if applicable)
Required work hours
Seasonal aspects if anticipated (overtime, shift-work, etc)

2. Provide work experiences directly related to the student's field of study and level of academic achievement

A job description of the internship/co-op position must be submitted to the Career Services Office prior to student interviews. The position responsibilities must be related to the student’s major and be approved by the corresponding faculty liaison.

3. Provide appropriate supervision and related appraisal of performance

Employers are asked to directly supervise the students as if they were "regular" employees. Evaluation is extremely important in the co-op/internship education concept. Since co-op/internship education is part of the "academic" process to network schools, employers are asked to candidly evaluate each student's performance. The supervisor's evaluation becomes one of the "learning tools" in the experiential education experience.

4. Pay a wage which is commensurate with the skill level of the position

It is important that interns and cooperative education students be treated as "regular" employees. This means that, except in rare situations, they receive pay. Benefits for internship/cooperative education students are not a requirement for program participation.

5. Commit to considering students on an equal opportunity basis

Most employing organizations see the experiential learning education program as a way to increase exposure to qualified candidates that will help toward diversity progression.

6. Enter the co-op/internship program with the intent to continue a student's employment for at least a full work-term

Of course, this is contingent on the student being a productive employee and maintaining a suitable grade point average.

7. Complete the proper documentation

During each work semester, employer supervisors of internship/co-op students must submit an evaluation of the students’ progress and performance. Career Services will provide the forms, and a copy of the completed forms will be provided to the student’s faculty liaison. The supervisor must verify the accuracy of the information on the student’s reports, including hours worked. The employer must complete a student evaluation at the end of the internship/co-op assignment.

8. Provide a safe work environment

The employer should provide safe working facilities for students along with an environment that fosters and practices professional and ethical business conduct. The employer is responsible for the safety of students while in their employ.

9. Provide the Opportunity for Site Visits by Faculty and/or Career Services Staff

The employer will provide an opportunity for faculty or Career Services staff to visit the worksite and meet with the internship/co-op student and supervisor.

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