Cooperative Education (Co-op) is an educational plan designed to integrate classroom study with planned, supervised, and evaluated work experience that links the academic program with students' career goals and interests. It offers undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to combine career, social, and personal growth with the educational process.

The Cooperative Education work experience may be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, and paid or unpaid. Central's program uses the terms "cooperative education" and "internship" almost interchangeably. We consider a paid or compensated position as co-op and any uncompensated experience as an internship. The supervisory relationship with the employer is essentially the same. We strongly prefer paid positions for all our students. However, many social service and nonprofit agencies are unable to provide compensation. Other employers and experiences in certain fields require license or certification before wages can be paid.