Cooperative Education

The College of Visual and Performing Arts sponsors many cooperative education endeavors. Whether it is student teaching in the K-12 classroom or student arts scholars working in K-12 classrooms through the IPFW Arts Connection, we are always looking for opportunities to connect our arts students with the community. It provides practical experience, strengthens your resume and enhances our community.

For information on any of the cooperative education opportunities listed below, please contact the College of Visual and Performing Arts at 260-481-6977.

Student Teaching

• Art

Internships

• Visual Communication and Design

Cooperative Education at IPFW

Cooperative education (Co-op) a nationally recognized academic training program that involves partnerships between students, employers, and IPFW. This academic enhancement program gives you the opportunity to explore how classroom theory relates to actual employment opportunities, while you remain an IPFW student. The Program is highly successful and has a proven history of benefits to students, employers, and IPFW.

• 2,231 co-ops worked with 242 employers in northeast Indiana, Alabama, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Tennessee in the past 20 years of the Program
• 94% of IPFW Co-op students persist to graduation 
• 91% of IPFW Co-op graduates land career–related jobs within 1-2  months of graduation
• 75% of IPFW Co-ops accept full-time career-related jobs with Co-op employers
• 5-25% above entry level salary is what IPFW Co-op graduates can expect when they enter the workforce

You receive a competitive wage and earn academic credit while working two or more semesters with an employer from the Greater Fort Wayne area or you can go to another state. The choice is yours.

Local employers provide outstanding co-op opportunities in the Schools of Arts and Sciences; Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science; Richard T. Doermer Business and Management Sciences; and the Division of Organizational Leadership and Supervision.

Faculty co-op coordinators approve all employers who request students. Also they approve your application based on departmental criteria. Upon approval, you are ready to begin the interview process.