TCAT

14:01:00 TCAT Cooperative Education and Internships

1. The purpose of this policy is to address how Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) students may participate in Cooperative Education and Internship Programs.
2. Cooperative positions are for students employed in a related field (the student is paid) while being given an opportunity to learn how the company operates. An internship is an unpaid opportunity to work for the company while observing the operation of the company. Either of these may lead to an employment opportunity at the end of the cooperative or internship experience. No student will be allowed to serve in a self-employed cooperative or intern position.
3. Cooperatives and internships are privileges to be earned rather than a right. Participating students are representatives for themselves, the program, and the College, and they must demonstrate work habits and skills that reflect favorably on themselves, the program, and Chattanooga State. Cooperative or internship opportunities are not necessary for program completion; however, they can significantly enhance the student’s resume.
4. No student will be allowed to participate in an internship or cooperative during the first semester of enrollment in a TCAT program. Maximum internship or cooperative time during the second semester will be up to 40% of the program’s weekly hours and up to 80% of the program’s weekly hours during the third semester of enrollment. To be eligible for a second semester opportunity, the student must have completed a minimum of 65% of all required program work. For an expanded opportunity (up to 80% of weekly hours), the student must have completed 80% of all required program work. The student must be in class the remaining days and must continue to complete requirements at a pace that they will finish the program in the normal time period. The only exceptions to this policy are documented severe illness of the student or an immediate family member or documented legal proceedings beyond the control of the student.
5. To become eligible for a cooperative or internship opportunity, the student must meet the following criteria in the previous semester:
   1. Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of required work.
   2. Maintain a minimum academic average of 80% for all completed work.
   3. Have completed 65% in second semester or 85% third semester of all required work as explained above.
   4. Maintain a B or better for work habits grade as noted in this policy.
   5. Maintain an attendance grade of 91% or better with no more than three (3) tardies per semester. No excuses will be accepted other than those listed above.
6. While enrolled in a cooperative or internship, the student is expected to demonstrate good work habits and fulfill the following requirements.
   1. Submit to the instructor a weekly attendance form signed by the immediate supervisor on the first day of class each week.
   2. Call the employer before the start of the workday to let them know if he/she will be late or absent on a scheduled cooperative or internship day.
   3. If, because of an emergency, the student is unable to call, he/she will have someone else call the instructor prior to 8:00 a.m. on the day of any tardy or absence on a cooperative or internship day.
   4. Turn in any work required by the instructor on the assigned day.
   5. Maintain satisfactory progress toward program completion.
   6. Failure to follow the above policies may result in termination of the cooperative or internship opportunity.
   7. The student must complete the Application/Agreement and Co-op Agreement forms.

Attachments:

14:01:00 attachment 1 - TCAT Cooperative Education Program APPLICATION & AGREEMENT  

14:01:00 attachment 2 - TCAT Cooperative Education Program CO-OP AGREEMENT  

14:01:00 attachment 3 - TCAT Cooperative Education Program STUDENT’S TIME REPORT  

Submitted to Policy Review Committee on 2019.02.18

Submitted to Policy Review Board on 2019.04.08

Approved by Policy Review Board on 2019.04.24