Champlain College Launches Undergraduate Co-Op Program

Champlain College is excited to announce a new co-op program that gives students the chance to gain real-world, full-time work experience at top organizations in Burlington and across the country.

More than a traditional internship, Champlain’s co-op program, launching in Fall 2026, is a forward-thinking evolution in experiential learning, seamlessly integrating academic rigor with hands-on professional experience. It’s a testament to our commitment to students—we prepare them for their first job and for lifelong career success in a rapidly changing world.

“By connecting our students to leading companies across diverse industries, we’re creating career-defining opportunities that allow them to apply their skills, build professional networks, and solve authentic workplace challenges,” says Alex Hernandez, President of Champlain College.

What is a Co-op?

A co-op (cooperative education) is a semester-long, full-time, paid employment opportunity that you can participate in as part of your college education. Co-ops at Champlain count for 12–15 academic credits, so you can gain valuable professional experience while getting paid and still graduate on time.

More than just a job, our co-op program gives students a chance to gain invaluable experience, explore their academic passions, and apply their learning. Students can find co-op positions with Champlain’s partner organizations or search independently for opportunities that match their interests.

Who Can Participate?

Our co-op program is open to juniors and seniors. Each co-op is tailored to a student’s interests, skills, and career goals.

• For example, a cybersecurity major may choose to work in cyber operations at a local firm, assisting in the design and maintenance of global information systems.
• A marketing student may spend their semester working for a fashion or skincare company, creating digital content and branded materials.
• For a business major, their co-op experience may include participating in supply-chain management or financial planning at a major retailer’s corporate office.

Why Choose a School with a Co-Op Program?

In addition to helping students build invaluable working relationships with leaders in their chosen industry, working full-time gives students greater opportunities to make meaningful contributions to an organization. During a co-op experience, students will build professional relationships, develop their skills, and reflect on their growth throughout the semester.

“At Champlain, we know students learn best when they can put their knowledge into practice,” shares Craig Winstead, Dean of the Stiller School of Business. “Our new co-op program lets students earn money while building real-world skills and staying on track to graduate—preparing them for success from day one.”

Our co-op program offers tangible, long-term benefits, too. Champlain graduates with paid work experience earn, on average, $15,000 more per year after graduation.

“This program isn’t just about adding a line to a resume,” Winstead continues, “it’s about transforming education into action and giving our graduates the competitive edge that has always defined Champlain’s distinctive approach to career-focused learning.”

We will launch our co-op program in Fall 2026.