Duke Engineering Co-op: Applied Learning for Career Success

Bridge the Gap Between the Classroom and Industry

As a Duke Engineering Master of Engineering (MEng) or Master of Engineering Management (MEM) student, you have the unique opportunity to participate in Pratt’s Co-operative Education Program (co-op). The program is designed for students seeking full-time industry experience while remaining enrolled at Duke, ensuring a seamless transition from graduate school to high-impact professional roles.

Read about the Co-Op Experience Duke Engineering Master’s Programs
What is a co-op program for engineering graduate students?Duke Engineering's Co-op Program gives Master of Engineering (MEng) and Master of Engineering Management (MEM) students 6–12 months of full-time, paid industry experience — while staying enrolled at Duke. It's more than a traditional internship. Co-op students work on defined engineering and technical projects at leading organizations including Tesla, ASML, Johnson & Johnson, Toshiba, and Lufthansa.In this video, you'll hear directly from Duke Engineering students, faculty, and staff about what makes the co-op experience different — and why it's becoming a cornerstone of graduate engineering education.00:00 Introduction00:33 What is the Duke Engineering Co-op Program?00:52 How the co-op differs from a traditional internship01:25 Student experiences and real projects02:50 Information about the Co-op experience at Duke03:14 Career paths and outcomes04:44 Companies that hire Duke co-op studentsProgram Highlights:- 87 students participated in co-ops in just the program's second year- 79 companies hired Duke Master's students as co-ops- Average co-op salary: $32.50/hr- Roles span R&D, product management, strategy, operations, and more- Students from 16 different Master's programs are eligibleWho is this program for?Graduate engineering students seeking real-world industry experience before graduation — and employers looking to hire high-performing engineering talent.Learn more or get involved: masters.pratt.duke.eduEmployers, interested in working with our students: Contact pratt_coop@duke.edu
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Why Co-op? A Strategic Investment in Career Outcomes

A co-op at Duke Engineering is much more than a standard internship. It is a strategic investment in your professional trajectory. Since its launch in Fall 2024, the program has become a cornerstone of the Professional Master’s experience for many students.

  • Strengthen Your Career Profile: Gain significant, hands-on industry experience that provides a competitive edge in the global job market.
  • Proven Industry Experience: Take on a full-time industry role during the summer and/or academic year while remaining enrolled at Duke.
  • Applied Technical Learning: Move from the classroom to industry by applying your technical and design skills to solve real-world challenges for leading organizations.
  • High-Value Professional Networking: Build an expansive network of industry mentors and colleagues well before graduation.
  • Earn While You Learn: All co-op positions are paid, allowing you to gain professional-grade income while completing your degree.
  • Personalized Career Path: As a graduate student, you know what kinds of roles you want. At Duke, Master’s students are responsible for securing their own co-op roles, allowing you to pursue the organizations that will set you up for long-term success.

Demonstrated Success: By the Numbers

Our data from Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 – just the program’s second year in operation – showcase the strong demand for Duke Engineering’s co-op talent.

87

Students Participated in Co-ops

79

Companies hired Duke Master’s Students as Co-ops

$32.50/hr

Average Duke Master’s Student Co-op Salary

Select Companies Employing Duke Students as Co-ops

  • Tesla
  • ASML
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Toshiba
  • Lufthansa

Select Co-op Role Titles

  • R&D Quality Engineer
  • Product Manager
  • Strategy & Operations Intern

The Co-op Experience: Student Perspectives on Applied Learning

Hear from Pratt Master’s students about their experiences and projects in the co-op program, and how their participation is setting them up for success in the future.

What does a biomedical engineering co-op actually look like?Duke BME Master's students share what it meant to work inside leading medical device and biotech companies — doing real engineering work with real stakes. From FDA regulatory quality at Johnson & Johnson to biomechanical research at Arthrex, these students weren't shadowing anyone. They were contributing from day one.Mike Lynch, Professor and Director of Duke's BME Master's Program, also speaks to what students gain that no classroom can fully replicate: the maturity that comes from navigating real-world manufacturing constraints, regulatory requirements, and high-functioning teams.Where Duke BME students completed co-ops:- 00:00 Johnson & Johnson (Irvine, CA) — New Product Development Quality Engineer on a catheter for treating atrial fibrillation - 02:01 Arthrex (Naples, FL) — Biomechanical Research Co-op using a $100K Instron mechanical testing machine on cadaveric knee studies What BME students bring to industry:- FDA regulatory knowledge and documentation- Biomechanical testing and R&D methods- Cross-functional collaboration and negotiation- Technical depth in medical device developmentWhy co-op matters for biomedical engineers:The medical device industry rewards engineers who understand regulatory constraints, manufacturing realities, and patient impact — not just lab theory. Six to twelve months in industry gives BME students clarity on their career path and the confidence to own it.Learn more:Duke BME Master's Program: https://bme.duke.edu/academics/masters/Questions: pratt_coop@duke.edu
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Biomedical Engineering
What does a Master of Engineering Management co-op look like in practice?In this video, Duke MEM students share what it's actually like to work full time at leading companies — while completing their graduate degree. From building AI products at NetApp to leading strategy initiatives at Tesla's energy division, these students weren't just observers. They owned real projects with real outcomes.You'll also hear from Pat Gunsch, Executive Director of Duke's MEM Program, on why the co-op has become a defining part of the graduate experience.What MEM co-op students worked on:- 00:00 Intro- 00:08 Product management at Tesla's 0-to-1 strategic initiatives team in the energy division - 01:14 Competitive strategy analysis at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions - 02:11 AI chatbot development for enterprise sales teams at NetApp Skills MEM students bring to co-ops:- Competitive strategy and product management- Design thinking and project management- Cross-functional team leadership- User-centered product developmentWhy co-op over a traditional internship?Six to twelve months of embedded industry experience gives MEM students the time to build trust, take ownership, and deliver outcomes that a summer internship simply cannot.Learn more: Duke MEM Program: https://masters.pratt.duke.edu/management/Questions: pratt_coop@duke.edu
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Engineering Management

For Employers: Work with a Duke Co-op Student

Duke Engineering Master’s students are future leaders in technology and innovation who are ready to help your organization achieve its mission.

  • Diverse Skill Sets: Our students represent 16 different Master’s programs, ranging from Cybersecurity and Biomedical Engineering to Design.
  • Community of High Performers: Join a network of 79 high-performing organizations that already leverage Duke Co-op students to drive innovation.
  • Rich Partnership: Employers commit to a standard set of practices, including structured onboarding and supervisor reviews in collaboration with Duke University.

Interested in learning more? Contact us at pratt_coop@duke.edu.

For Students: How the Co-op Program Works

Students participating in the Co-op Program work full time with an employer partner while maintaining their status as Duke Engineering graduate students.

Co-ops typically include:

  • Full-time professional experience with a sponsoring company
  • Work on defined projects related to your academic field
  • Opportunities to develop technical and professional skills
  • Continued connection to Duke career resources and advising

Each student is responsible for identifying and securing their own co-op opportunity through professional networks, employer outreach, and job platforms, with guidance from Duke’s Career Services & Professional Development team and a dedicated Co-op Advisor.

Connect with Us

Take the next step in your professional journey or find your next high-performing hire.

Contact us at pratt_coop@duke.edu!
Vivek Rao Profile Photo
Vivek Rao Profile Photo

Vivek Rao

Associate Dean for Master’s & Professional Programs; Executive Director, Design & Technology Innovation Master’s Program

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