Co-op

Experience-Based Learning

Experiential (or experience-based) learning means integrating your academic course of study with practical, real-world work experience as well as active reflection on what you are learning so that you can go further, faster.

When you engage in experiential learning, you:

are more likely to find employment upon graduation (Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE))
get to network with professionals in the field
graduate with substantial, major-related experience on your resume
see what working in a particular field is really like, so you can decide what's right for you

Check out our offerings, notice what appeals to you, and contact us to take the next step.

Co-op Rotation Schedule

Each DAAP undergraduate program is listed below with the co-op rotation schedule for each. Please note that "N/A" indicates there is not a co-op opportunity for that year.

Co-op Program Semester Schedule - Communication Design, Fashion Design, & Urban Planning
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break
2	School	Co-op	School
3	Co-op	School	Co-op
4	School	Co-op	School
5	Co-op	School

Co-op Program Semester Schedule - Industrial Design
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break
2	School	School	Co-op
3	School	Co-op	School
4	Co-op	School	Co-op
5	Co-op	School

Co-op Program Semester Schedule - Interior Design
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break
2	School	Co-op	School
3	Co-op	School	Co-op
4	School	Co-op	Co-op
5	School	School

Co-op Program Semester Schedule - Fine Arts
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break
2	School	School	Break
3	School	Co-op	School
4	Co-op	School	Co-op
5	Break	School

Co-op Program Semester Schedule - Architecture
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break
2	School	Co-op	School
3	Co-op	School	Co-op
4	School	School

Co-op Program Semester Schedule - Art History* & Games and Animation
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break
2	School	School	Co-op
3	School	School	Co-op
4	School	School

*Art History co-op schedule is optional.

Internship Program Semester Schedule - Horticulture** & Urban Studies**
Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
1	School	School	Break**
2	School	School	Break**
3	School	School	Break**
4	School	School

**Internship recommended/optional.

DAAP Podcast: Co-ops DAAP Co-op Schedule Infographic Employers & Partners Next Steps

Student Stories

How to gain career experience before you graduate

Discover how UC students build career-ready skills through paid co-ops, internships and research opportunities — before graduation.

Working towards sustainability at Michelman

September 23, 2025

UC graduate student Nishat Sultana describes her experience as a Sustainability Industry Fellow at Michelman, organized by the Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS).

UC co-op advances in rankings

September 23, 2025

For the seventh consecutive year, the University of Cincinnati has ranked in the Top 5 for co-ops and internships in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings. UC’s cooperative education program has climbed to the No. 4 spot, up from No. 5 in the rankings last year.

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