Discover German American Co-op
The revolutionary study program from Europe
Developing global-ready talent for your business
Developing global-ready talent for your business
Partnership with Purpose
NORDAKADEMIE President Stefan Wiedmann and College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu partner for this undergraduate program in International Engineering & Management. This German American Co-op Program offers students a global experience and equips businesses with workforce-ready employees.
Kick start
Top notch
Aligned Working and Studying
German American Co-op
in a nutshell (video)
German American Co-op study program in Engineering & Management
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What makes the German American Co-op Program Different?
Profile and Study Structure
2 + 3 Model
- Main potential target group: 2 year college graduates with Associate Degree (i.e. Trident Tec, Greenville Tec etc.) or equivalent entry requirements
- Development of current Tec-Students in the companies
- Recruiting at Colleges
- 36 month of German American Co-op study program to achieve international Bachelor of Enigineering
- Selected students will start in sponsoring company in October 2025 and continue at CofC in August 2025
2 +3 German American Co-op study program:
Time structure
between college and company
Internal Training Company Process
Hands-on Experience in the Company
During your time at the company, you will rotate through various technical and commercial departments such as sales, production, or the laboratory. This gives you in-depth product knowledge and allows you to build a strong professional network.
You will take on responsibility for both small and large projects, managing them independently — an ideal preparation for your future career.
Each practical phase concludes with a theory-practice transfer paper, where you connect your academic knowledge with hands-on experience in the company.
Departments, which are usually run through within the training company (exemplary):
Application Process:
STEP 1: Register to become a partner company
- Appoint a Co-op Focal
- Set up an initial meeting with College of Charleston and NORDAKADEMIE consultants to discuss program implementation and support.
STEP 2: Recruit and hire qualified candidates
- Advertise the German American Co-op by recruiting internal employees, technical college graduates, qualified College of Charleston sophomores or German school graduates.
- Review applicants
Interested students will take an online selection test through NORDAKADEMIE. Partner companies will be able to review results before selecting applicants.
- Hire candidates
Sign the student-company contract. Furthermore, all students participating in the program are required to have health insurance.
STEP 3: Participant onboarding
Create an on-site interdepartmental training and onboarding plan for co-op duration, see sample training plan.
STEP 4: Program oversight and sustainment
Attend (virtual) quarterly industry review meetings with partner companies, College of Charleston and NORDAKADEMIE to discuss program implementation and best practices.
Costs of Study Program:
Investing in your future employees
Three cost categories must be taken into account and agreed upon in advance. Each company can define its own framework:- Costs for coursework: depending on funding by the federal state and company agreement with students. Costs range from approximately $8,000 to $22,000 per year.
- Costs for compensation: since students work up to 30 weeks per year, compensation is recommended but not required. In Germany, students get around $18,000 per year.
- Costs for travel, housing: it’s the company’s decision whether support is available.
Your direct contact
to NORDAKADEMIE
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