International Engineering & Management

A particular focus of the Co-op Plus program is workforce readiness. Integration of study and work allows for early talent identification and targeted nurturing.​

Students are specifically prepared for the requirements of the working world and develop important skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving competence.

As a result, they are able to create value for their future company immediately. 

Co-op Plus-Students bring fresh ideas and perspectives into your company, combining academic knowledge with practical experience. Collaboration with universities ​
fosters knowledge exchange and allows companies to benefit from cutting-edge research.​

Instead of completing the training sequentially, students combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. This ensures that the acquired knowledge can be applied directly in the working world.

Moreover, the Co-op Plus program leads to professional experience starting from the high school level. This allows students to enter the working world early and gain valuable experience. As a result, they are not only well-prepared academically but also practically upon completion of their studies. 

1. Through close cooperation with companies, students not only receive a high-quality education but also a salary. This allows parents to be financially relieved while students gain practical experience and secure their income during their studies.
2. Talent search also from the Associate Degree Program, which has already been successfully implemented in the model with industry. That brings speed!

NORDAKADEMIE - Private University of Applied Sciences since 1992: ​

• founded directly by the business and industry community -> very close connection to companies (currently around 500 are actively training)​
• non-profit corporation​
• 47 equal shareholders​
• unlimited university license of the State of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany​
• located in the Hamburg metropolitan area Elmshorn (main campus) and in the City of Hamburg​
• dual full-time / Co-op Plus (Bachelor) and part-time study programms (Master Degree)​
• 3 faculties: computer science, engineering, business administration​
• more than 2,500 students

​

The Co-op Plus concept:

• Established in Germany since 19th century​
• Main focus: engineering and innovation​
  -> Fresenius, BAYER, BASF, Siemens etc. were founded with a strong link to this education system​
• Now: Practice-integrated degree programs ​
  -> simultaneously not sequentially​
• Focus on directly linked knowledge and skills, tought in courses​
  -> the university is not taking care of housing, eating, sports, travelling etc. Students are ​
      responsible for their lives​
• Still annual increasing rates in this sector – the traditional study type is declining​

A Co-op Plus program, as the name suggests, is a unique blend of academic studies and practical work experience.

Predominantly popular in Germany, these programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field by combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on training in a real-world corporate environment. 

In essence, a Co-op Plus program is a combination of traditional university education and vocational training. Students enrolled in these programs spend part of their time studying at a university or a university of applied sciences, and the remaining time gaining practical experience in a cooperating company. This structure allows students to apply the theoretical knowledge they acquire during their academic studies directly into practice, thus fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. 

The Co-op Plus program at NORDAKADEMIE, one of Germany's renowned private universities, follows a similar format. However, it is specifically tailored to meet the demands of the modern business world. The program is split into semesters, each comprising of theory and practical phases. During the theory phase, students attend lectures at the NORDAKADEMIE where they learn about various theoretical aspects of their chosen field of study.  

In the practical part, however, the students work at a partner company where they have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real scenarios. During this section, students learn hands-on, field-specific skills in the company's departments as well as various skills such as project management, problem-solving or teamwork.  

The partner companies provide the students with insight into their business processes and allow them to gain practical experience in their respective fields of study. In addition, the students also get the opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals and benefit from their expertise. This practice-oriented approach provides students with a comprehensive education and optimally prepares them for their future professional career. 

To train a student in a Co-op Plus program, a company must undertake several steps to ensure both the academic and practical aspects of the student's education are fulfilled. Here's a general outline of what needs to be done: 

1. Partnership with an Academic Institution: The company must first establish a partnership with NORDAKADEMIE. This partnership allows the company to offer students the opportunity to gain practical experience while executing their academic studies.
2. Selection of Relevant Departments: The company should identify the departments that are relevant to the student's field of study. These departments will provide the practical training portion of the student's Co-op Plus program. The selection should align with the student's academic coursework to ensure a seamless integration of theory and practice.
3. Organizing the Rotation: Once the relevant departments are identified, the company must organize a rotation plan for the student. This plan should outline the duration the student will spend in each department and the kind of tasks they will be performing. The aim is to expose the student to different facets of the company's operations and give them a comprehensive understanding of their field of study.
4. Knowledge Transfer: The company must ensure that experienced professionals are available to mentor the student in each department. These mentors will guide the student through their tasks, provide valuable insights into the workings of the industry, and help the student apply the theoretical knowledge they've gained from their academic studies. Regular feedback and performance assessments can also help the student improve and learn more effectively.
5. Legal and Administrative Requirements: There are legal and administrative requirements to consider when training a dual study student. For instance, the company will have to sign a training agreement with the student, outlining the terms and conditions of the training, including duration, compensation, and responsibilities. And it will need to sign a dual study contract with NORDAKADEMIE, where it ensures to pay for all study fees for the full duration of the study (3,5 years). 

By following these steps, a company can effectively train a Co-op Plus student, providing them with a well-rounded education that combines academic theory with practical work experience. 

Moreover, the NORDAKADEMIE Co-op Plus program also offers students the chance to earn a Bachelor's degree in just three years, which is quicker compared to traditional degree programs. This makes it an attractive choice for ambitious students who wish to kick-start their careers at an early stage. 

In conclusion, a Co-op Plus program provides an ideal balance between academic learning and practical application, making it a sought-after choice for students aspiring for a well-rounded educational experience. 

Facts 

• Co-op Plus program at Nordakademie offers a combination of theoretical education and practical work experience. 
• Students have the opportunity to work in a company while pursuing their studies. 
• The program typically lasts for three years, combining on-campus classes and on-the-job training. 
• NORDAKADEMIE collaborates with various companies, providing students with a wide range of industries to choose from. 
• Graduates from the Co-op Plus program often have higher chances of finding employment due to their practical experience. 
• The program equips students with both academic knowledge and professional skills, preparing them for the future career. 

As a university of applied sciences, we require a high school diploma in combination with proof of Advanced Placement (AP) exams (Student Score Report) or ideally an associate degree.

In order to start a Co-op Plus Bachelor's degree program at NORDAKADEMIE, the student must have passed our online selection process and have a corresponding training position with a company.

The "Student Score Report" shows four Advanced Placement exams with at least a grade of 3 in the following subjects:

• Mathematics:
  • AP Calculus AB or BC

• 1 science subject:
  • AP Biology or AP Chemistry or AP Physics C (AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism)

• 1 language:
  • AP French or AP Spanish or AP Latin or AP German or AP English Literature or AP English Language and Composition

• 1 additional subject corresponding to the upper secondary school:
  • e.g. AP European/World/United States History, AP Computer Science A or AP Macroeconomics (0.5 credits/units) and AP Microeconomics (0.5 credits/units).

These exams must be taken separately with the College Board while attending school.

Advantages from the perspective of the training partner companies:

The Co-op Plus program at NORDAKADEMIE offers numerous benefits that are of great importance to both parents and students. One key advantage is the fact that no financial burden arises. Through close cooperation with companies, students not only receive a high-quality education but also a salary. This allows parents to be financially relieved while students gain practical experience and secure their income during their studies.

Another advantage of the Co-op Plus program is the parallel training. Instead of completing the training sequentially, students combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. This ensures that the acquired knowledge can be applied directly in the working world.

Moreover, the Co-op Plus program leads to professional experience starting from the high school level. This allows students to enter the working world early and gain valuable experience. As a result, they are not only well-prepared academically but also practically upon completion of their studies.

A particular focus of the Co-op Plus program is workforce readiness. Students are specifically prepared for the requirements of the working world and develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving competence. As a result, they are able to create value for their future company immediately after completing their studies.

The Co-op Plus program at NORDAKADEMIE also offers the advantage of no risk of unemployment. Through the close integration of theory and practice, students are already integrated into companies during their studies and establish valuable contacts. This increases their chances of a seamless transition into employment after completing their studies and minimizes the risk of unemployment.

Another plus point is the fact that the employer benefits from the student's work performance from day one. Through close cooperation with companies, students are specifically prepared for the industry's requirements and can immediately apply their acquired knowledge in practice. This creates a win-win scenario where both the student and the company benefit from the collaboration right from the start.

Summary:

• No financial burden as students receive a salary through cooperation with companies
• Combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience
• Early entry into the working world for valuable professional experience
• Focus on developing important skills for workforce readiness
• No risk of unemployment with close integration into companies
• Immediate work performance benefit for employers through practical application of knowledge

• Currently the concept of Work & Study is not accredited in USA ​
• Therefore, NORDAKADEMIE is stepping in with its education model ​
• It’s a full-time study model that accepts company work for college credits​
• Students are collecting college credits in a 6-month period after “regular” college time at College of Charleston and NORDAKADEMIE and “reflecting” time at their employing company ​
• After 3 years of Work & Study the students graduate with the degree in “International Engineering & Management” B.Sc. from NORDAKADEMIE​
• B.Sc. from NORDAKADEMIE is an internationally accredited degree (incl. USA)​