Office of Professional Practice

Professional Practice Programs

Purdue’s Office of Professional Practice (OPP) offers work-integrated learning experiences and provides students an advantage in career readiness with course work and hands-on learning/training during their time at Purdue. OPP supports students within the academic environment of the institution and its global partners, participates in academic research within the field of professional practice and assists academic units with enhanced employer engagement. Committed to fostering a holistic student experience, OPP offers formal programs in Co-op, internship and research formats. OPP also facilitates the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE), Purdue’s premier international work experience program. Purdue designs Professional Practice programs to combine practical on-the-job experiences with the classroom training of a four-year college curriculum.

Extensive Industry Co-op Certificate
The extensive Industry Co-op Certificate is awarded to students who have gained 18 months or more of full-time work experience related to their academic field of study. Students will register for a cooperative education course during each academic term for which they are engaged in full-time work with an employer. Students are required to complete five work terms. Students should have a progressive experience, with multiple work terms occurring at the same employer. Students may change employers one time. Students must complete all necessary requirements specific to their academic discipline.

Industry Co-op Certificate
The Industry Co-op Certificate is awarded to students who have gained about one year of full-time work (at least one fall/spring semester) experience related to their academic field of study. Students will register for a cooperative education course during each academic term for which they are engaged in full-time work with an employer. Students are required to complete a minimum of three work terms. Students should have a progressive experience, with a minimum of two work terms occurring with the same employer. Students must complete all necessary requirements specific to their academic discipline.

Message from the Director

Office of Professional Practice Website