Bouvé
Cooperative Education Program

REDEfine what’s possible in HEALThCARE

Experiential Learning and Co-op

Northeastern’s Cooperative Education Program, founded nearly a century ago, is among the largest and most innovative in higher education.

Through the co-op program, students have the opportunity to gain and improve upon skills that employers identify as essential for a successful career.

The Bouvé College of Health Sciences’ cooperative education students work in some of the most prestigious healthcare and medical research facilities in the world, where they have first-hand experience working alongside healthcare professionals.

Bouvé’s co-op program provides students with an exceptional pool of employers who are dedicated and committed to the healthcare profession.

Meet the Team.

We’re here to help.

Different areas of study have different specialist cooperative education faculty coordinators to assist you.

Mary Carney

CNE, MSN, RN

Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator School of Nursing

Jacqueline Diani

MEd

Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator School of Nursing

Lisa Foster

MS

Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator Public Health and Health Sciences

Maureen Jenkins

Administrative Assistant Bouvé Cooperative Education

Dierdre Jordan

MS

Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator Public Health and Health Sciences

Moira Mannix Votel

MA

Director, Cooperative Education; Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator Physical Therapy, Human Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Tim McCarty

Student Services and Data Manager Bouvé Cooperative Education

Kristen Morse

PT, DPT

Associate Cooperative Education Coordinator Physical Therapy, Human Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Jacqueline Sweeney

MS, C-IAYT

Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator Public Health and Health Sciences

Mark Yorra

MS, MHP, EdD, RPh

Senior Cooperative Education Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions

Is co-op a paid experience?

Yes, in the majority of cases, students are providing a service to the employer full-time for 6 months, so they should be paid a nominal wage. The range is from $16 to $25/hour, depending on the job and geographical location. A contract is not required since it is an employer/employee relationship.

Can international students work on co-ops? What other resources are available for students while on co-op?

Yes. Once the student receives and accepts a job offer, they will receive a form from the co-op faculty that is reviewed and processed by the Northeastern University Office of Global Services (OGS), which authorizes the student to work during the date range of the co-op period. Any changes to the co-op dates MUST be approved by the co-op faculty member and the OGS ahead of time, otherwise the student will be in violation of their visa and approved authorization. International students cannot obtain a social security number until they have a co-op position, so for the first position, there is a short delay while they are directed by OGS to obtain a social security number. A student may not work on a co-op without authorization from the OGS. 

Students on co-op are considered full-time students and are eligible for counseling services, library access and other benefits of a student. If there are any issues that occur during a co-op experience, contact the co-op faculty and they will work with the appropriate University resource to address a particular concern.

Do students get time off during co-op? Can students work part-time in between co-op and during a co-op period?

Students are considered full-time employees during their co-op and must follow the scheduling requirements of the site and employment regulations that govern the position. That includes weekends, nights and holidays. Students do not get a vacation during a co-op period and are not eligible for university time off such as Spring break and Christmas break. Start and end dates for cooperative education periods are set by the College and shared with students well in advance of the co-op work term.