What is Work Experience Education?

Cooperative Work Experience Education is an important component of the education and training that students receive at College of the Desert (COD). Work Experience courses enable students to integrate their classroom-based learning into a real work environment. Students earn an academic grade while working in a paid/unpaid, part-time/full-time position. By enrolling in a Work Experience course, students will participate in experiential learning activities that will enhance learning and strengthen effective work habits thereby enchancing the student's marketable skills.

Program instructors cultivate on-the-job training to broaden occupational skills and improve copmetency and experience in the real world of work. Students can enroll in a General or Occupational Work Experience course:

General Work Experience (WEG, XXX-095A) is for students who currently have a position that does not directly align with their educational/occupational goal. This course is designed to help students develop individual career and workplace awareness. Students may earn up to six (6) units maximum per semester. Students are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours per unit for paid positions or 60 hours per unit for un-paid positions.

Occupational Work Experience (i.e. AUTO-095A, AGEH-095A, AJ-095A, ECE-095A, etc.) is for students who currently have a position that aligns directly with their educational/occupational goal. Students may earn up to eight (8) units maximum per semester. Students are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours per unit for paid positions or 60 hours per unit for un-paid positions.

Students may earn a combined maximum total of up to 16 work experience units during the entire student’s tenure at COD. Units earned in Work Experience count towards COD’s AA as electives (some Majors may require Work Experience, others may count towards Major electives. All Work Experience units are transferable into the California State University System (CSU), but not the University of California (UC) system (some private institutions may accept Work Experience units).