Students interested in Work-Based Learning (WBL) must complete an application and meet with their faculty advisors to discuss program and department requirements.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in an approved program of study (see list below) offering Work-Based Learning
• Have completed 14 credit hours at Wake Tech in the major requirements area of their program of study
• Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher at the time of application submission and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher while enrolled in the program. Some departments may require a higher GPA.
• Meet any additional requirements of the appropriate academic department(s)
• Obtain approval from their faculty advisor
• Be in good standing with the college and not have violated the Student Code of Conduct on a moderate or major level
• If a WBL student has been terminated by a WBL employer while participating in the program at Wake Tech, the student may not be eligible to participate in another WBL course, whether in the current major or a different major at Wake Tech, unless the division dean(s) and provost of Career Programs or Health Science Programs provide approval
• Have legal authorization to work in the United States. If on a student visa, check to make sure the ability to work and hours are available. U.S. law requires employers to verify the legal work eligibility of all new employees within three days of employment. However, eligibility must be verified for WBL by obtaining permission from the Office of International Students before the application process is moved to the employer.

NOTE: If you are pursuing only a University Transfer program (AA, AFA, AS or AE), you are not eligible to participate in the Work-Based Learning program.

Approved programs

Work-Based Learning is a required course in the following programs:

• Agricultural Systems Technology
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• Construction Equipment Systems Technology (Forklift diploma)
• Culinary Arts
• Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology
• Health and Fitness Science
• Hospitality Management
• Human Services Technology
• Human Service Technology - Gerontology
• Human Services Technology - Mental Health
• Human Services Technology - Substance Abuse
• Human Services Technology - Substance Abuse Intervention

Work-Based Learning is an elective in the following programs:

• Accounting
• Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology
• Architectural Systems Technology
• Automotive Systems Technology
• Biopharmaceutical Technology
• Biotechnology Technology
• Business Administration - General Business Administration
• Business Administration - Marketing
• Business Administration - Project Management
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
• Construction Equipment Systems Technology
• Construction Management Technology
• Electrical Systems Technology
• Electronics Engineering Technology
• Facility Maintenance Technology
• Geomatics Technology
• IT - Advertising & Graphic Design 
• IT - Business Analytics
• IT - Cloud Infrastructure
• IT - Computer Programming & Development
• IT - Cybersecurity
• IT - Data Science & Programming Support 
• IT - Network Management
• IT - Service and Support
• IT - Simulation and Game Development - Art & Modeling
• IT - Simulation and Game Development - Programming
• IT - Web/UX Design
• IT - Web Developer
• Interior Design
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Mechanical Engineering Technology Mechatronics
• Medical Office Administration - Healthcare Administration
• Medical Office Administration - Medical Billing and Coding
• Medical Office Administration - Medical Office Professional
• Office Administration - Legal Office
• Office Administration - Office Professional
• Plumbing
• Supply Chain Management - Distribution Management
• Supply Chain Management - Global Logistics Technology
• Welding Technology

You can review your program evaluation by logging in to WebAdvisor to find out if Work-Based Learning (Co-op) is listed. Look for "COE" or "WBL" or contact the Work-Based Learning director or your faculty advisor.;

For more information, contact WBL Director Kathy Frederick at [email protected] or 919-866-5693.