The Driehaus Co-op Program

Put Learning to Work

The Question: How will you adapt?

<div class="ck-content"><p>The business world is rapidly evolving. New technology is upending the way we work. Markets across every industry are more competitive than ever. Company needs are changing and customer expectations are shifting.</p><p>Employers today are looking for college graduates who can hit the ground running as soon as they are hired. This means more than knowing a given industry, or a particular skill set. It’s an expectation that new hires will already have the composure to respond to new situations, to tackle unexpected challenges. Today’s employees need to be familiar with the subtle aspects of a given workplace, its distinct culture, and what makes it efficient. Above all, they must be able to work effectively as part of a team. Across the board, employers are looking for a new standard of professionalism.</p><p>Strong professional habits and deep workplace knowledge only come after years of work experience. Traditionally, this development starts after graduating and beginning your first full-time job. But at the Driehaus College of Business, we put you in the express lane of your career.</p></div>

Your Answer: The Driehaus Co-op Program

<div class="ck-content"><p>The Driehaus Co-op Program empowers you to contribute meaningfully from day one. The program jump-starts your career through a unique, work-integrated learning model that builds on-the-job experience right into your degree. You will earn course credit working in a real organization, solving real problems, and building skills essential to your success as a future business professional. </p><p>At the same time, our award-winning business curriculum will equip you with the resources you need to thrive: technological fluency (including the responsible use of AI), critical thinking and communication skills, ethical judgement, and the adaptability to move at the speed of the market. </p><p>Unlike traditional co-op models that require students to pause coursework or extend their graduation timeline, the Driehaus Co-op is designed to fit within your existing degree plan — so that students who are making steady academic progress can complete their degree on time.</p><p>Plan to meet early and often with your academic advisor and a Co-op career coach to build your plan. Every student's path to graduation is shaped by many different factors. Transfer or test credit, math placement, academic performance, and adding or changing majors, minors, or certificates all affect your timeline. Remember: your academic advisor and co-op career coach are here to help map a plan that works for you.</p></div>

Key Program Features at a Glance

It’s more than an internship. Put your learning to work and turbocharge your career in the Driehaus Co-op Program.

For Employers

<div class="ck-content"><p>DePaul's Driehaus College of Business is a required, curriculum-integrated undergraduate co-op program, <strong>the first of its kind among undergraduate business programs in the Chicagoland area.</strong> </p><p>Companies that partner with Driehaus gain access to a distinctive source of Chicago talent. Approximately 60% of Driehaus graduates remain in Chicagoland, creating a sustained local pipeline of professionals who can build long-term careers with partner organizations.</p><p>At full scale, the program is expected to support 800 student placements annually, expanding employers' access to this talent and strengthening Chicago's early-career workforce.</p></div>

Our Model

Meaningful work: roles are built around substantive projects and clear expectations.
Structured partnership: our Employer Relations Team works with you on role scope and learning outcomes.
Long-term pipeline: Partners gain sustained access to future graduates prepared for an AI-enabled workplace.

The upshot: Your organization gains value now and builds its future workforce at the same time. That combination is what makes co-op a strategic business partnership rather than a transactional recruiting activity.

Find more detailed information about our program here.

Interested?

Get in touch with our Career Management Center to explore how a co-op student could support your organization!

Dan Clark
Director, Career Management Center
dan.clark@depaul.edu
312-362-5837