Cooperative Work Experience

Earn College Credit for Your Work Experience

At San Bernardino Valley College, you can turn your work experience into college credit through our Cooperative Work Experience Education program. If you’re working or volunteering, this is your chance to earn credit while gaining real-world skills that move you closer to your goals.

Two Ways to Earn Credit

1. Occupational Cooperative Work Experience
   • Designed for students working in a job related to their major or career goals.
   • Earn up to 4 units per semester (maximum 16 units total).
2. General Cooperative Work Experience
   • Open to students working in jobs not directly tied to their major.
   • Earn up to 3 units per semester (maximum 6 units total).
   • No related course enrollment required.
   • Seventy-five hours of paid work experience (or 60 hours volunteer work) equal one unit of college credit.

Two Format Options

• Parallel Format – Take your Work Experience course at the same time as your other classes.
• Alternate Format – Focus on Work Experience one semester, then your regular classes the semester before and/or after.

Important to Know

• Units earned through Work Experience may not apply directly to your major, unless your department specifically requires them.
• However, all Work Experience credit counts as elective units toward any associate degree.
• Check your department’s section of the catalog for details on major requirements.