Cooperative Education

Internships and community based service learning are volunteer or work-based learning experiences for designated periods of time with specific learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are developed by the student in collaboration with a faculty mentor and a community based supervisor.

Co-ops or internships are structured experiences for the length of one or more quarters with varying credits. Students develop a learning contract with a faculty and supervisor based on the career-relevant learning that occurs as a result of their work experience. They develop an understanding of appropriate work ethics, attitudes, responsibilities along with thinking and problem solving skills. They will assess their own strengths and weaknesses of the skills necessary for this area of work.

Service Learning opportunities will be designed through specific courses offered at the college. These are shorter experiences in the form of a class project where students apply theories they are learning in a public or private non-profit community agency.

Students interested in experiential learning opportunities are encouraged to plan ahead to secure a placement (in terms of Co-ops/Internships) in their field of study. For more general and program specific information contact Jan Adams at (360) 383-3700, or by email at or visit her Experiential Learning website at faculty.whatcom.ctc.edu/jadams