Press Release  Governor Healey Announces Expansion of Paid Co-ops at Massachusetts Public Universities

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $60,000 in grants to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Worcester State University to develop new paid cooperative education programs that will give students hands-on work experience while they earn their degrees.

The new co-ops are expected to launch during the 2027-2028 academic year. UMass Dartmouth plans to develop opportunities in allied health and health care, connecting students with experience in communities across the South Coast. Worcester State plans to develop co-ops in municipal and cultural affairs, chemistry and biotechnology, and early childhood education.

“I want every student in Massachusetts to get a great education, graduate ready for a good job and have every opportunity to build their future right here in our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Paid co-ops give students the chance to put what they’re learning into practice, earn money and build connections with Massachusetts employers before they graduate. We’re expanding these opportunities because they help our students succeed and help us keep talented young people here in Massachusetts.”

“When Massachusetts invests in co-ops at our public colleges and universities, we invest in our students, our workforce, and our economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These opportunities build stronger professional pathways for students and create more reasons for graduates to build their careers in Massachusetts.” 

Co-ops are full-time, paid work experiences lasting four to eight months that allow students to gain professional experience related to their field of study while earning their degree. At UMass Lowell, the leading co-op program among Massachusetts public universities, students completing six-month co-ops earn an average of $20,714 during their work experience. Co-ops can also help students build professional networks and connections that can lead to jobs after graduation.

The grants are part of the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative, a partnership between the Department of Higher Education’s (DHE) Innovation Hub and UMass Lowell to expand high-quality co-op programs across Massachusetts public higher education.

Earlier this year, the initiative awarded a total of $210,000 in “First Mover” grants to Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Bridgewater State University and Framingham State University to develop and implement new co-op programs. With the addition of UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State, five public campuses are now participating in the initiative.

“We are proud to add UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State University to the growing list of public colleges and universities that are launching co-op programs,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “Co-ops connect classroom learning with hands-on experience, giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge, deepen their expertise, and gain experiences that prepare them to thrive in their careers.”

“Building a strong co-op program requires institutions to develop lasting connections among academic programs, employers, and the students they serve,” said Interim Commissioner of Higher Education José Luis Santos. “The expansion from three to five campuses marks an important step toward building an innovative statewide model of public institutions committed to expanding high-quality cooperative education.”

Through the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative, UMass Lowell shares its experience operating an established co-op program with participating campuses. Institutions receive technical assistance, coaching and opportunities to learn from one another as they develop programs, build employer partnerships and determine how to sustain and grow co-op opportunities over time.

 “This grant will help UMass Dartmouth create new pathways for students to gain meaningful, real-world experience in allied health fields while completing their degrees,” said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller. “By working closely with health care employers across the SouthCoast, we are strengthening career preparation and helping build the skilled workforce our region and Commonwealth needs.” 

"We are excited to receive this state investment in the development of Worcester State’s co-op program,” said Worcester State University President Barry Maloney. “Experiential learning is one of the most powerful ways we can connect a Worcester State education to the needs of our students, our employers and our community. This grant will help us build a model that gives students meaningful, paid work experience while allowing our regional partners to develop the talented workforce they need. We are grateful to Governor Healey for recognizing the value of this work and for helping us move this important initiative forward."

“Cooperative education is a powerful and proven way to ensure a college education enables students to explore and better prepare for their future careers,” said Board of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli. “By partnering with our public universities to build high-quality co-op programs, we are creating more options for students to gain experience, build professional networks, and leave college well prepared to succeed after college, while helping Massachusetts employers build the talent pipeline that keeps our economy strong.”

 “More students should have the opportunity to gain paid professional experience while earning their degree,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. “UMass Lowell is proud to serve as a model for experiential learning and share our lessons with other public institutions across the Commonwealth as they begin to build their own co-op programs.”

UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State will spend the coming year developing their co-op pilots, including academic programs, employer partnerships, student recruitment and plans to sustain the programs over time. The universities will also participate in statewide peer learning and help develop shared practices that can support continued expansion of paid co-ops across Massachusetts public higher education.

Expanding cooperative education is a priority of DHE’s Innovation Hub, which launched in 2025 with support from a $2.1 million grant from Axim Collaborative. The Hub identifies, pilots, and scales promising approaches that improve college access, strengthen student success, and better connect higher education with workforce needs.

Since taking office, Governor Healey has made historic investments to make higher education more affordable and create more pathways for students to succeed. The Administration made community college free for students of all ages and incomes, doubled state financial aid, made tuition and fees free at public four-year colleges and universities for Pell-eligible students, expanded Early College to serve more than 12,000 high school students this year, and invested in advising, degree completion and other supports to help students earn their degrees. These investments have helped public higher education enrollment return to pre-pandemic levels while giving more Massachusetts students the opportunity to earn a degree, build a career and stay and succeed here in Massachusetts.

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