Massachusetts Expands Paid Co-ops at Public Universities: UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State Funded to Build New Programs
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced on November 6 an expansion of paid cooperative education (co-op) programs at the state's public universities: the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Worcester State University will receive a combined $60,000 in start-up funding to build new paid co-op programs, set to launch in the 2027-28 academic year.
UMass Dartmouth's program will focus on allied health fields, while Worcester State's will serve municipal and cultural institutions, chemistry and biotechnology, and early childhood education. Co-ops place students in full-time paid roles for four to eight months; the state cited figures showing UMass Lowell co-op students earn an average of $20,714 over six months.
The paid co-op initiative had previously provided $210,000 to three institutions; with this round, five campuses are now covered. The state also noted that its innovation center received $2.1 million from Axim to support related work-based learning efforts.
Healey said paid co-ops give students real job experience and income before graduation while supplying talent to shortage fields such as health care, biotechnology and education. The two universities will use the funding to design curricular links, expand employer partnerships and match the first cohorts of students with placements. (Source: Office of the Governor of Massachusetts)
Source: Office of the Governor of Massachusetts
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「College of Visual and Performing Arts, UMass Dartmouth.jpg」（Oinkers42 摄，CC BY 4.0） Image: Wikimedia Commons "College of Visual and Performing Arts, UMass Dartmouth.jpg" (by Oinkers42, CC BY 4.0)
