Are you interested in participating in a co-op, internship, or externship? Here are a few steps to help you get started:
- Login to your Connections account at https://msstate-csm.symplicity.com/ using your MyState username and password
- Click on your initials in the top right corner of your homepage then select My Account
- Complete the Personal Information, Academic Profile, and Experiential Learning categories.
Schedule A Visit
Have questions? Call our office at 662-325-3823 or come by 335 McCain Hall to schedule an appointment or speak with a co-op ambassador or graduate assistant.
Co-op
As a freshman, students will complete 2 semesters at MSU and have a 2.5 GPA to be eligible to begin a co-op. For transfer students, you will need to complete one semester here at MSU and have a 2.5 GPA.
Paid Professional Internship
Professional Practice Internships are open to students of any major. Students being placed in EXL 3100 or EXL 3200 must have completed 60 + semester hours with a 2.75 GPA, EXL 3100 is required to enroll in EXL 3200.
General Internship
These internships have no requirements other than to be in good academic standing with the university. Students will be placed in EXL 0190 for general internships.
All students- any major, must have a 2.5 GPA
All students- any major, 2.0 GPA
Go to www.career.msstate.edu and set up your Connections account- complete the Personal, Academic, and Experiential Learning sections
- Freshman- after completing 2 semesters
- Transfer- after completing 1 semester
$25 course enrollment fee, semester tuition is not charged during semesters at work
Scholarships are placed on hold for work terms, complete Fall/Spring change request in Banner to defer Financial Aid
Both can be canceled for semesters at work, contact each office directly.
- Co-op- 3 alternating rotations with the same company
- Internships- one semester
A Brief History of Cooperative Education at MSU
In 1954 Harry C. Simrall, then Dean of Engineering, empaneled a group of prominent engineers to advise the School of Engineering. That committee, having reviewed Cooperative Education, a unique educational program initiated at the University of Cincinnati in 1906, strongly recommended that Mississippi State College adopt such a program.
With the Committee's recommendation, a request went forth from President Ben F. Hilbun to the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning requesting approval to establish a Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State College. In December 1954, the Board of Trustees approved establishment of the program.
The first Cooperative Education enrollment for work was in the summer of 1955. By fall 1955, there were six students at work, and spring of 1959 brought the first Cooperative Education Program graduate. Today over 12,000 students have participated in the Cooperative Education Program at MSU. Mississippi State University is proud to be among the nation’s leading Cooperative Education institutions. The program is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Co-op and Internship (ACCI).