so this whole 5 year thing...

[scansmom]

<p>I agree that you should talk to the co-op office or particular academic dept you are interested in to find out more about how co-op works for the major you’re interested in. I am not sure it is ever mandatory, even for engineering students (although the engineering curriculum is pretty rigid and course offerings are planned based on a 5-yr program; so it can take some creative curriculum planning to do it in 4 yrs). From their site, specifically on co-ops:</p>

<p>

Co-op at a Glance</p>

<p>Who: Any full-time, upperclass undergraduate student.</p>

<p>What: Four- to six-month periods of full-time employment, usually paid, related to your major or interests.</p>

<p>When: Up to 3 six-month periods during five years at Northeastern, or fewer co-op periods if you choose an accelerated four-year curriculum available in most majors. Usually starting in the spring or summer of your sophomore year, co-op continues through senior year, alternating with classroom study. (Five years includes eight semesters of classes plus three co-op terms.)</p>

<p>Where: Anywhere in the world. Current locations include 35 states and 33 countries.</p>

<p>How: Northeastern helps you find job sites and positions, or you can propose your own.</p>

<p>Why: Because the combination of classroom study and real-world experience is the best possible way to develop the knowledge, capability, and leadership skills that lead to a lifetime of achievement.</p>

<p>Tuition: Because you won’t be attending classes, you don’t pay tuition during co-op periods. However, you’re still considered a full-time student and may continue to pay room and board to live in your residence hall while you’re working. You may also participate in any of more than 200 student organizations, and you continue to have access to all campus resources.

</p>

<p>[Experiential</a> Education > How Co-op Works > Co-op at a Glance](<a href=“http://www.northeastern.edu/experiential/coop/howcoopworks/coopataglance.html]Experiential”>http://www.northeastern.edu/experiential/coop/howcoopworks/coopataglance.html)</p>

<p>Note that they do say that you can still do a 4 yr program in most fields. They also include a sample schedule for both 4 and 5 yr students.</p>

<p>NEU has a pretty good job placement rate with its co-op employers; many students are offered jobs upon graduation (although this also varies depending on makjor); if you feel you might benefit by gaining extra work experience in your field while still in school, or like the idea of hands-on learning, co-op is definitely something to consider.</p>