Graduate Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program
The Graduate Co-op Program enables MS degree candidates to pursue real-world paid, full-time work experiences for up to six months. Participating students can gain skills and insights regarding their future careers, form professional relationships, and enhance their resumes.
Eligibility
Enrolled Biology MS students in good academic standing who have completed one semester of graduate coursework (6 SHU) and passed BIO 197 “Career Skills for Biologists” may apply to the Graduate Co-op Program.
BS/MS students may apply in the summer after completing their undergraduate degree if they passed BIO 197 as undergrads and have been authorized by the Biology MS Program Director to apply 6 SHU of completed grad-level coursework toward their MS degree (not including double-counted courses).
Please refer to the Biology department's Graduate Co-op Program Handbook for the full details on eligibility.
Application process
Application deadlines each year are January 31 and June 30. Applicants must submit an unofficial Tufts transcript, a one-page resume in business format, a LinkedIn profile link, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation from a Tufts faculty member or adjunct instructor. Please visit the application website to apply.
Admission will be based on the student’s fulfillment of eligibility requirements, academic performance, personal statement, and preparation and suitability for the program based on the personal statement and recommendation letter. Please refer to the Biology department's Graduate Co-op Program Handbook, to review the application process.
Key co-op elements
Accepted students will be authorized to apply for co-op positions after meeting 1:1 with the co-op program director. The director will provide guidance and mentorship on securing positions. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own co-op placements; positions are not guaranteed.
Eligible co-ops must be paid, full time (35+ hours per week), and last for up to six months. They must be unrelated to academic research, grading, or teaching.
To participate in a co-op, students must have at least 3 SHUs remaining in their MS program after completing the co-op term. Students will not be allowed to enroll in a co-op if they have insufficient time/SHUs remaining or all graduate degree requirements are already satisfied.
During the co-op, students will enroll in BIO 299 “Graduate Biology Co-Op,” a zero-SHU course that allows them to maintain full-time status and does not affect loan repayment, financial aid, or health care. There is no cost to do a co-op, but students must continue to pay all Tufts fees, health fees, and health insurance, and fulfill all lease obligations if they are utilizing Tufts housing.
Students may not enroll in any other classes at Tufts during the co-op without permission.
Full details on the co-op program structure are available in the Biology department's Graduate Co-op Program Handbook.
Illustrative schedules
Below are several examples of various sample schedules:
For MS students who completed undergraduate education outside of Tufts
MS students who completed undergraduate education outside of Tufts can complete their MS with a co-op in 5 terms if they take BIO 197 in their first fall or spring term, as in the two sample schedules below:
| Sample schedule 1 (5 total semesters) *Take BIO 197 in first Fall term | |
|---|---|
| Fall 1 |
|
| Spring 1 |
|
| Summer 1 + Fall 2 |
|
| Spring 2 |
|
| Fall 3 |
|
| Sample schedule 2 (5 total semesters) *Take BIO 197 in first Spring term | |
|---|---|
| Fall 1 |
|
| Spring 1 |
|
| Summer 1 + Fall 2 |
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| Spring 2 + Summer 2 |
|
| Fall 3 |
|
For BS/MS students who completed BIO 197 as an undergraduate
BS/MS students who took BIO 197 as undergraduates can complete their MS with a co-op in 3 terms, as in the sample schedule below:
| Sample schedule 3 (3 total semesters) | |
|---|---|
| Summer 0 (before MS) |
|
| Fall 1 |
|
| Spring 1 + Summer 1 |
|
| Fall 2 |
|
For BS/MS students who did not complete BIO 197 as an undergraduate
BS/MS students who did not take BIO 197 as undergraduates can complete their MS with a co-op in 4 terms, as in the sample schedule below:
| Sample schedule 4 (4 total semesters) | |
|---|---|
| Fall 1 |
|
| Spring 1 |
|
| Summer 1 + Fall 2 |
|
| Spring 2 |
|
Questions?
For more information, contact Dr. Frank David, director of the Biology Graduate Co-op Program, at frank.david@tufts.edu.