Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education Certification

The Cooperative Education Certification Program is designed to prepare individuals with the skills needed to function in the role of a Cooperative Education teacher coordinator. Co-op coordinators are responsible for planning, organizing, and administering work experience programs for high school students, which correlate the theoretical learning activities of the classroom with practical learning experiences on the job.

The Cooperative Education Certification Program addresses the following categories:

• Program planning, development and evaluation
• School-community relations
• Student career and technical organizations
• Professional development
• Serving students with special and exceptional needs
• Assisting students in improving their basic skills
• Coordination of cooperative education
• Integrating the academic and career and technical curriculum
• Legal aspects and labor laws
• Career and technical education guidance

Certification for Cooperative Education Instructor Program Requirements

The prerequisite requirements for obtaining certification as a Cooperative Education Instructor at The Pennsylvania State University are as follows:

I.          Non-Instructional Background* (earning an Instructional I certificate in co-op)

A.        Verify graduation from baccalaureate degree program

B.        Complete the following courses:

C.        Course substitutions must be approved by WF ED certification coordinator

D.        Verify 4,000 hours of wage earning work experience outside of education

E.        Complete PRAXIS examinations: PPST in reading, writing, and math; Principles of Learning and Teaching 7-12;      Cooperative Education specialty test

II.       Instructional Background* (co-op added to existing instructional certificate)

A.        Complete the following courses:

WF ED 001 Education for Work 3 cr., or WFED 546 Work-Based Education 3 cr., or WFED 560 Historical and Philosophical Foundations 3 cr.

WF ED 207W Assessment Techniques 3 cr., or WFED 573 Needs Assessment 3 cr., or an approved substitution

WF ED 445 Vocational Guidance 3 cr., or an approved substitution

WF ED 441 Conceptual and Legal Basis for Cooperative Education 2 cr.

WF ED 442 Operating Cooperative Education Programs 2 cr.

WF ED 495A Cooperative Education Practicum 2 cr.

B.        Course substitutions must be approved by WF ED certification coordinator

C.        Verify 4,000 hours of wage earning work experience outside of education

D.        Complete the PRAXIS II Cooperative Education specialty test

III.       Vocational Instructional Background* (co-op added to existing vocational certificate)

A.        Complete the following courses

WF ED 445 Vocational Guidance 3 cr., or an approved substitution

WF ED 441 Conceptual and Legal Basis for Cooperative Education 2 cr.

WF ED 442 Operating Cooperative Education Programs 2 cr.

WF ED 495A Cooperative Education Practicum 2 cr.

B.        Course substitutions must be approved by WF ED certification coordinator

C.        Verify 4,000 hours of wage earning work experience outside of education

D.        Complete the PRAXIS II Cooperative Education specialty test

*Must fulfill the College of Education’s pre-certification Special Education requirement through completion of SPLED 400, or WFED 413, or an equivalent.