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 their support for this idea and have become cooperators in this educational endeavor. The students agree that this is an important and enlightening part of their education.

The Landscape Architecture Program at Purdue includes a requirement for an 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 and a salary with their employer. 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 opportunities. The students are there to learn but have to make the most of the experience. 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 the Purdue program teaches "real world" skills and provides a good framework for professional growth."

"If our intern has any bad memories of his experience, it was probably a result of our forgetting he was an intern and putting too many responsibilities on his shoulders."

Comments from Students:

"The coop experience helped improve all areas of my design abilities."

"True office experience cannot be duplicated in the classroom."

"It enhanced my knowledge of the workings and operations of an office, the diversity of work to be done and knowledge needed."