Cooperative Education & Internship Program

NMSU is nationally recognized for its Cooperative Education and Internship Program—the university’s premier experiential learning opportunity. Administered by Aggie Career Studio (ACS), this program allows students to complete cooperative education or internship experiences during the fall, spring, or summer semesters and earn an official, permanent notation on their academic transcript.

Our mission is to provide NMSU students with meaningful, experience-based learning through paid employment opportunities. Each placement is designed to align with a student’s interests, abilities, and career goals while also supporting the needs of our employer partners.

The Cooperative Education and Internship Program is built on strong partnerships in which the student, the employer, and the university collaborate equally to create a valuable and transformative educational experience.

Definitions

Defined by the Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA)...

  • Cooperative education is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a “co-op”, provides academic credit for structured job experience. Co-op experiences are either full-time (40 hours per week) alternating periods (semester, quarter) of work and school or part-time (20 hours per week) combining work and school during the same time period. Co-op experiences are paid, supervised by a professional who has followed the same career path of the student and students complete more than one assignment (2 or more) with progressive levels of responsibility.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) establishes uniformity in the use and application of the term "internship" and recommends the following definition...

  • An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

 

Co-op & Internship Program Policy**

Overview

The Aggie Career Studio, part of the NMSU Office of Experiential Learning (OEL), oversees the Cooperative Education and Internship Program to ensure students participate in high-quality, experience-based learning opportunities. Co-op and internship placements vary across business, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations; however, all students and employers must follow the policies and guidelines of the program.

Every co-op and internship experience is reviewed holistically by the Aggie Career Studio to ensure it supports student learning, aligns with academic goals, and provides a safe and structured work environment.

Student Expectations

Students participating in the Co-op & Internship Program must follow all program requirements, including:

Students are strongly encouraged to report all full-time and part-time co-op and internship experiences to the Aggie Career Studio. To receive an official transcript notation, students must complete all program requirements and maintain active communication with the Studio throughout the experience.

Employer Expectations

Employer partners play a critical role in shaping meaningful student learning. All employers must:

  • Abide by the Employer Agreement
  • Provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment
  • Offer assignments that align with a student’s major, interests, and career goals
  • Collaborate with the Aggie Career Studio as needed throughout the experience

Program Review and Approval

Before a student begins a co-op or internship, the Aggie Career Studio completes a holistic review to:

  • Confirm the experience is related to the student’s academic program
  • Ensure the opportunity meets program and safety standards
  • Validate that the role provides meaningful, career-relevant learning

Only approved experiences will be certified for transcript notation.

Commitment to Partnership

The Aggie Career Studio values strong partnerships with employers who are dedicated to student success. Our goal is to create a collaborative experience where students, employers, and NMSU each play an active role in supporting meaningful, real-world learning.

 

Experience Guidance

Compensation

New Mexico State University adheres to the Principles for Professional Conduct in career planning and recruitment as established by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). These principles guide ethical, equitable, and professional interactions among students, employers, and university representatives.

Paid Co-op and Internship Positions

NMSU strongly encourages employers to offer paid co-op and internship opportunities. Compensation should comply with all applicable state and federal labor laws, and employers are responsible for determining appropriate remuneration based on the nature of the role and industry standards.

Unpaid Co-op and Internship Positions

While paid experiences are strongly preferred, New Mexico State University recognizes that some unpaid internships may provide meaningful, academically related learning that complements classroom instruction. Although employers determine whether a position is paid, NMSU retains the authority to decide whether an internship meets the standards required for academic credit or transcript certification.

Employers considering unpaid internships must understand how the U.S. Department of Labor’s guidelines under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) apply to their organization. For for-profit employers, an unpaid internship is permissible only when the intern is the primary beneficiary of the experience and the opportunity meets the established criteria for lawful unpaid internships.

Employers are expected to review and follow these guidelines to ensure compliance and to protect both the student and the organization from legal and ethical risks.

Experience Duration

The Co-op / Internship experience must fall within the summer, fall, or spring semesters according to NMSU’s Academic Calendar and should last a certain number of weeks according to its semester:

  • Fall & Spring Semesters: 14 – 16 Weeks
  • Summer Semester: 10 – 12 Weeks

Part-time / full-time

  • Part-time Student on-campus employment: Work a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 hours/week during the Spring and Fall academic semester (Students may work a maximum of 40 hours/week during the Summer semester, Fall break, Winter or Spring break).
  • Part-time Student off-campus employment (also known as parallel plan): Student works 15-29 hours/week.
  • Full-time employment (also known as alternating plan): Student works 30+ hours/week.

Physical Work Location

The Co-op/Internship experience must be at an established and registered employer (business/company/organization) location. The employer must follow the corresponding business laws and regulations and obtain proper permits and licenses required by the state/local government. For the security of the student, the physical work location cannot be a person’s residence. Please contact the NMSU Cooperative Education and Internship Program with any questions (coop@nmsu.edu | 575-646-4115).