Purdue Cooperative Education Experience

What is it?

The Purdue landscape architecture faculty believes that a complete education in landscape architecture includes a period of work experience in a professional office. Many professional offices have stated thier support for this idea and have become cooperators in this educational endeavor. The students agree that this is and important and enlightening part of their education.

The Landscape Architecture Program at Purdue includes a requirement for and internship for a minimum of 40 weeks. It is a 9-15 month continuous internship for students in their fourth year of the five year program. The student will negotiate a start and end date with thier employer, once that student is hired. The arrangements are between the student and the landscape architecture office. There is no contract between Purdue and the employer.

What responsibility do I have as a cooperative employer?

An intern is the same as any other new employee in an office. They have the same pay considerations and the same work oppurtunities. The students are there to learn but have to make what they want out of the situation. Progress reports are sent to the employers offices twice during the year as a form of "checking" up on the students.

Comments from Employers:

"It appears that your program teaches "real world" skills and provides a good framwork for proffesional growth."

"If [ ] has anyt bad memories of his experiance...., it was probably a result of our fortgetting he was an intern and putting responsibilities on his shoulders."

Comments from Students:

"Helped improve all areas of my design abilities."

"True office experience can not be duplicated in the classroom."

"Enhanced my knowledge of the workings and operation of an office, the diversity of work to be done and knowledge needed."