Characteristics of Cooperative Education and Internship in Aviation Management Programs

Abstract

Cooperative education and internship are separate and distinct means of providing students with a work-based learning experience. Traditionally speaking cooperative education is a means by which students acquire real work experience through actual employment that is similar, if not identical, to their intended career field. Internship traditionally exposes students to the working environment. Over time these differences have become blurred and in many cases the terms are used synonymously. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent practitioners in Aviation Management (AVM) programs differentiate between cooperative education and internship. The study was delimited to: community colleges, colleges, and universities affiliated with the University Aviation Association (UAA) having AVM programs that participate in cooperative education and/or internship.