Cooperative Education
Knowledge Applied in the Real World
Antioch College promotes meaningful engagement with the world through intentional linkages between campus-centered and field-based experiential learning.
For 100 years, a central component of Antioch’s education model has been its flagship Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program.
Lead an impactful life
By linking the life of the mind with professional engagement, Co-op animates a unique liberal arts curriculum that positions students to take action in a variety of diverse settings. Students have opportunities to engage with numerous partner organizations as they learn to navigate complex work environments, communicate publicly, and experiment with solution-oriented approaches to social change.
All Antioch students spend up to a third of their academic program—a minimum of three academic terms—engaged in the kinds of full-time work, research, or self-directed learning enterprises that have earned Antioch Co-op students an international reputation for creativity, industriousness, and ingenuity.
Co-op provides knowledge and knowhow which is why generations of Antiochians have had significant impacts in their communities and professions.
At the core of the Co-op experience is professional engagement—meaningful work in challenging settings where students generally can expect reasonable compensation for their contributions. Not only do Antioch students graduate with an outstanding education, an impressive resume, and compelling stories of Co-op adventure in distant locales, they gain exposure to innovative workplaces and discover their unique talents as they apply themselves to real problems in the world.
Real World Work Experience
Read student Co-op stories from Antioch Engaged: our journal of social practice & professional engagement
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Environmental Conservation and Self-Discovery in the Land Down Under: Heather Cain ’26 at Practical Ecology in Australiaby Heather Cain on December 4, 2025
G’day from Melbourne, Australia! My path to an Environmental Science degree at Antioch has led me on an incredible journey to “the land down under”, where I’m currently participating in a co-op with Practical Ecology with my roommate and host, former Antioch College alumni Lincoln
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Coffee, Community, and a Crafting Nook: Riley Warren ’28 at The C-Shop in Yellow Springs, Ohioby Rye Warren on June 25, 2025
While the village of Yellow Springs has a beautiful selection of small business shops for residents and visitors to buy from, these shops are not always affordable, especially for a college student. The C-Shop, located in The Olive Kettering Library (as well as online and
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Growth in Community = Growth in Oneself: Kai Gerstein 27′ at Camphill Kimberton Hills in PAby 1 Co-op-Admin on May 2, 2025
Camphill is a global Initiative of interconnected communities made up of people with and without cognitive and physical disabilities striving to better each other. Camphill was founded in 1939 by an Austrian pediatrician and educator named Dr. Karl König, along with his colleagues.
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The Humming Flutters of a MothBox: Jessie Tejera-Fabian ’25 at Mount Totumas, Panamaby Jessie Tejera-Fabian on May 2, 2025
In Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Resort, visitors come for the remote wilderness experience and explore both the many trails surrounding the lodge and their wide variety of coffee that’s meticulously grown and harvested on site. For student’s of Antioch College, this opportunity is extended to
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Living, Learning, and Giving Back: Axel Slowe ’27 at Mitaniketan in Kerala, Indiaby Axel Slowe on March 4, 2025
I am currently co-oping at Mitraniketan, a school in the small but busy village of Vellanad in Trivandrum. Mitraniketan is an organization working to “break the cycle of poverty, exploitation, and lack of opportunities”(Mitraniketan). At the heart of Mitraniketan is the school serving children from
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Rehabilitation of Birds of Prey: Chloe Harvey ’26 at the Glen Helen Raptor Center in Yellow Springs, OHby Chloe Harvey on February 25, 2025
The Glen Helen Raptor Center’s mission is to improve the welfare of raptors across Ohio through educating the public about birds of prey, wildlife, and conservation, and through the rehabilitation of injured raptors across Southwestern Ohio. Link While there, I have helped with rehabilitation, clinic,
“We have students working at foundations, nonprofits, successful businesses and companies and looking at what that feels like out in the world — being a part of a real team, making purposeful projects come to reality.”
— Luisa Bieri Rios,
Dean of Cooperative, International, and Community-based Learning
How it works
Field experience lies at the heart of cooperative education; however, developing a sense of inquiry, reflecting on lessons learned through experience, and engaging in dialogue on the ideas that emerge are essential components of the Co-op learning cycle. In order to meet the Co-op requirement necessary for graduation, all students are required to complete three approved field experiences and pass three Cooperative Education field courses (12 credits each) with a grade of C. Students enroll in these by registering for the appropriate Cooperative Education course that is offered at the time they engage in their Co-op term, as determined by fulfillment of both the co-requisite and any prerequisites identified. They thus are expected to earn a minimum of thirty-six Cooperative Education credits required for graduation.
Our voices carry around the world
Students have completed their Co-ops throughout the United States and in the following countries:
Argentina
Australia
Austria
The Bahamas
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bolivia
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Ethiopia
France
Germany
Ghana
Guatemala
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Nepal
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Senegal
Spain
St. Vincent
Thailand
United Kingdom
Co-op News & Achievements
WE HAVE TO LEARN WAYS TO BOND AS A COMMUNITY: Interview with Angel Harris ’24
Interview by Matt Walker ‘04. MW: “Thank you for meeting with me. If you could say your name, where you're from, which class year you are in, and yeah, start with that.” AH: “Hi, my name is Angel Harris. I am a second-year. I'm the class of 2024. And I am...
Take a step back when you feel like you need to: An interview with Robyn McCoy ’24
“I’d probably tell people that it’s okay to worry about how you’re doing. But don’t put too much stress on yourself. Because when you put too much stress on yourself, that’s when you burn out and you feel like quitting. So just always take a step back when you feel like you need to take a step back.”
NOW WE CAN DO, BECAUSE WE ARE HERE: An interview with Rayy Graham ‘23
Interview by Matt Walker ‘04 MW: “So anyway, why don't you tell me about yourself? Tell me what your name is, where you're from…” RG: “I'm Rayy. Rayy Graham. I’m a Third Year, Class of 23. I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I came here initially because it's college....


