The Cooperative Education Program at Essex County College is designed to enrich educational experience by combining classroom studies with work assignments directly related to students’ majors or career fields. Qualified students who are currently employed or who are placed in employment through the Co-op Program can earn academic credits towards a degree or certificate. In most cases students earn a salary which can help with covering the costs of a college education.

The integration of classroom study with supervised employment provides multiple benefits to students, including enhanced employability skills and the potential of higher starting salaries after graduation. Because of the multi-dimensional nature of cooperative education, significant benefits are also experienced by employers, faculty members, the college, and the community as a whole.