Cooperative Education – Computer Engineering Technology

Course Description

CET2949 – Cooperative Education (1 Credit Hour) is a work-based learning course within the Engineering Technologies > Computer Engineering Technology taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides college credit for supervised, field-based work experience directly related to a student's Computer Engineering Technology program of study. It integrates hands-on, career-related work experience with the academic program and provides students with applied training in their chosen technical field.

The cooperative education experience is designed to be used in conjunction with the student's academic coursework, matching the student's academic background to real-life situations encountered on the job site. Work assignments may be paid or unpaid and may follow either a Parallel Schedule (part-time work while attending classes) or an Alternating Schedule (full-time employment alternating with a semester of academic coursework). The workstation may be located at an industry site or, where appropriate, in a virtual learning environment.

A formal Training Agreement and Training Plan — signed by the student, the faculty coordinator, and the employer — are required. The plan must include stated instructional objectives, a list of on-the-job and in-school learning experiences, and a workstation that reflects equipment, skills, and tasks relevant to the student's career goal in computer engineering technology. The faculty coordinator must meet with the site supervisor at least once per grading period to evaluate student progress.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop and execute a written Training Plan with measurable objectives agreed upon by the student, faculty coordinator, and employer supervisor.
• Apply technical knowledge and skills from Computer Engineering Technology coursework to authentic workplace tasks and problems.
• Demonstrate professional workplace behaviors including punctuality, appropriate communication, and adherence to employer expectations and workplace policies.
• Perform assigned duties — individually or as part of a team — meeting employer performance standards for the workstation.
• Participate in structured performance evaluations conducted jointly by the site supervisor and the faculty coordinator.
• Maintain and submit required work-experience logs, timesheets, and written reflective assignments to the faculty coordinator.

Optional / Supplemental Outcomes

Depending on the employer worksite and individual Training Plan, students may also:

• Troubleshoot and repair computer hardware, peripherals, or networked systems under industrial supervision.
• Assist in the installation, configuration, or maintenance of computer-controlled or microprocessor-based equipment.
• Support software testing, development, or technical documentation activities relevant to the employer's operations.
• Develop a professional résumé and refine job-interview skills through employer interaction and feedback.
• Engage with industry certifications or employer-sponsored training programs aligned with CompTIA A+, Network+, or similar credentials.
• Practice oral and written technical communication in professional and client-facing contexts.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Training Agreement and Plan Development – Establishing and documenting learning objectives, employer expectations, and evaluation criteria with the faculty coordinator and site supervisor.
• On-the-Job Technical Practice – Applying computer engineering technology principles (hardware, software, networking, or microprocessor systems) in a supervised industry or institutional setting.
• Workplace Professionalism – Work ethic, attendance, dress code, interpersonal skills, and interaction with supervisors and colleagues.
• Progress Monitoring and Evaluation – Mid-term and final performance reviews conducted by the site supervisor and faculty coordinator using established rubrics or employer evaluation forms.
• Reflective Documentation – Maintenance of work logs, timesheets, and written reports or journals submitted to the faculty coordinator.

Optional / Site-Specific Topics

Topics vary based on the approved workstation and Training Plan, but may include:

• Computer hardware assembly, diagnosis, and repair
• Network installation, configuration, and troubleshooting
• Microprocessor or embedded systems support and testing
• Technical customer or client support
• Software quality assurance, testing, or documentation
• Cybersecurity procedures and IT compliance practices
• Industry certification exam preparation (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+)

Resources & Tools

• Florida SCNS Course Database – flscns.fldoe.org — Official statewide course numbering and articulation reference.
• Florida FDOE Cooperative Education OJT Manual – Available at the Florida Department of Education Division of Career and Adult Education website; includes sample training agreements, employer guidelines, and evaluation forms.
• Training Agreement / Training Plan Forms – Institution-specific documents provided by the college's Cooperative Education office or academic department.
• Canvas LMS (or institution equivalent) – Used at many Florida colleges (e.g., Pensacola State College) for co-op course orientation, assignment submission, and communication between student, coordinator, and employer.
• Work Log / Timesheet Templates – Required documentation of hours worked and tasks completed, submitted periodically to the faculty coordinator.
• CareerSource Florida / EmployFlorida.com – Florida's official labor market and job-placement resource for identifying co-op employer sites.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of CET2949 strengthens a student's professional profile and supports entry into the following career areas within the Computer Engineering Technology field:

• Computer Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician – Diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues for end users.
• Network Technician / IT Infrastructure Support – Installing, configuring, and maintaining local area networks and communication systems.
• Electronics / Computer Systems Technician – Assembling, testing, calibrating, and repairing computer-controlled and microprocessor-based equipment.
• Embedded Systems Technician – Supporting development and maintenance of microprocessor and embedded control systems.
• IT Field Service Technician – On-site installation, maintenance, and repair of computer hardware and peripherals across commercial and industrial clients.
• Cybersecurity / IT Compliance Support – Entry-level support roles in information security, access control, and compliance operations.

Co-op experience also supports transfer pathways to Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) programs in Computer Engineering Technology, Information Technology, or related fields at Florida State University System institutions.

Special Information

Program and Enrollment Requirements

• Students must obtain approval from the academic department, co-op staff, and employer prior to registering for credit. Students already employed in a relevant field may qualify for co-op credit with departmental approval.
• A signed Training Agreement and Training Plan are mandatory before the co-op placement begins. These documents must include instructional objectives, on-the-job and in-school learning experiences, and employer information.
• The faculty coordinator is required to conduct at least one site visit or structured contact with the employer supervisor per grading period.
• Co-op credits may count toward the work-experience component of an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Computer Engineering Technology but may not be substituted for general education requirements.
• A student may earn co-op credit for more than one semester; performance standards for each enrollment are specified in the individualized Training Plan.

Industry Certification Alignment

While CET2949 is not a certification-preparation course, the practical workplace experience gained may support preparation for industry credentials commonly associated with Florida's Computer Engineering Technology programs, including:

• CompTIA A+ – Core hardware and software support certification
• CompTIA Network+ – Networking fundamentals and infrastructure
• CompTIA Security+ – Entry-level cybersecurity
• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) – Manufacturing/electronics technician pathway (where applicable)