A Distinctive 3+Co-op Experience

Through the 3+Co-op Program at the Center for Humanity in Business, students develop the business expertise, judgment, empathy and courage to navigate complex decisions and create lasting value for organizations and communities.

Spend three years studying at Â鶹ÊÓƵ before completing a full-time, paid professional co-op in Charlotte during your fourth year. Along the way, you’ll learn from experienced business leaders, explore complex business challenges and develop the skills to make an impact from the start of your career.

Program Highlights

  • Fourth-Year Professional Co-op: Spend your final academic year living and working in Charlotte through a full-time, paid professional experience. Apply what you’ve learned in the classroom, develop workplace skills and gain experience before graduation.
  • Business and Stakeholder Capitalism: Explore how businesses can create long-term value for employees, customers, shareholders and communities through stakeholder capitalism, a business approach that considers the interests of all those affected by an organization’s decisions. Coursework connects these principles with consulting, leadership and ethical decision-making.
  • AI & Professional Skills: Build fluency in AI tools, data analytics and communication through interactive workshops and client simulations.
  • Mentorship Network: Gain guidance from executives and thought leaders in the Center for Humanity in Business Founders Group, including CEOs, entrepreneurs and global changemakers.
  • Global Learning Opportunities: Participate in required cohort-based international learning experiences during Winter Term. Explore how businesses operate across different cultures and economies while examining stakeholder capitalism, ethical leadership and the impact of business decisions on communities.
  • Living-Learning Community: Join a supportive cohort that takes courses designed specifically for the group and builds lasting connections from day one.
  • Distinguished Speaker Series: Attend conversations with accomplished business leaders from organizations such as Procter & Gamble, REI and Habitat for Humanity. These Center-hosted events bring students together to explore leadership, ethical decision-making and real-world business challenges.

Your Four-Year Experience

First Year: Build Your Foundation

Join a living-learning community, begin studying the role of business in society and connect with peers and business leaders.

Second Year: Expand Your Perspective

Deepen your understanding of business and leadership through cohort coursework, mentorship and global learning opportunities.

Third Year: Put Ideas Into Action

Apply your analytical and decision-making skills to real-world business challenges while preparing for your professional co-op experience.

Fourth Year: Gain Professional Experience

Live and work full time in Charlotte through a paid co-op while completing remaining academic requirements.

Scholarship Opportunity

Students selected for the program receive a competitive $12,000 annual scholarship, renewable each year for those in good standing.

Who Should Apply

The 3+Co-op Program is a selective opportunity for incoming first-year students who demonstrate leadership and service, have a minimum 3.8 GPA and plan to pursue an eligible business major.

Eligible majors include accounting, business analytics & AI, business economics & consulting, economics, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, financial technology, human resource management, international business, marketing, project management and supply chain management.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for first-year admission to Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Submit the Common Application or Â鶹ÊÓƵ Application with the $60 fee, official transcript(s), and Secondary School Report by:

  • Early Decision: November 1
  • Early Action: November 1
  • Regular Deadline: January 10

Important for 3+Co-op applicants: Students applying through Regular Deadline must submit their Â鶹ÊÓƵ undergraduate application by November 1, rather than January 10, to be considered for the 3+Co-op Program. The separate 3+Co-op Program application is due November 10.

Step 2: Submit the 3+Co-op application

After you apply for first-year admission, access your Â鶹ÊÓƵ Acorn Account () to complete and submit the 3+Co-op Program application by November 10.

Students applying through the Common Application will receive Acorn login details one day after submitting their application.

Step 3: Interview process

Finalists are notified in mid-December and invited to interviews in ±ð²¹°ù±ô²âÌý¹ó±ð²ú°ù³Ü²¹°ù²â.

Note:
Decisions for the 3+Co-op Program are released after January 10. Students who need scholarship information before committing should not apply Early Decision.

FAQ Â鶹ÊÓƵ the 3+Co-op Program

What makes the 3+Co-op Program different from a traditional business degree?

The 3+Co-op Program combines three years of study on Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s campus with a fourth year of full-time, paid professional experience in Charlotte. Students also benefit from a close-knit living-learning community, mentorship from experienced business leaders, global learning opportunities and coursework emphasizing ethical leadership and responsible business practices.

Can I participate in other Â鶹ÊÓƵ student activities while enrolled in the program?

Yes! Students in the 3+Co-op Program are encouraged to get involved in campus life, including student organizations, athletics, leadership opportunities, undergraduate research and community engagement. During their first three years, students can explore their interests and participate in the broader Â鶹ÊÓƵ experience alongside their program activities. In their fourth year, students transition to Charlotte for their full-time professional co-op.

Is the fourth-year co-op paid?

Yes. Students participate in a full-time, paid professional co-op in Charlotte during their fourth year. The experience allows students to apply their business knowledge, develop professional skills and gain substantial work experience before graduation.

Where will I live during my fourth year in Charlotte?

Students will live in Charlotte during their fourth-year co-op experience. Housing arrangements will be coordinated through the program, with housing costs comparable to those on Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s main campus. The program will provide additional details as students prepare for their fourth year.

Will I graduate in four years?

Yes. The 3+Co-op Program is designed for students to complete their undergraduate degree in four years. Students spend their first three years on Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s main campus before completing their fourth-year co-op experience in Charlotte.

How does the $12,000 scholarship work?

Students selected for the 3+Co-op Program receive a $12,000 annual Presidential Scholarship, renewable for up to four years provided they remain in good standing. The scholarship represents up to $48,000 over four years. Students should consult Â鶹ÊÓƵ Admissions and Financial Aid for information about additional financial assistance and eligibility.

Is international study required as part of the 3+Co-op Program?

Yes. Students participate in a required cohort-based international learning experience during Winter Term. Through this experience, students explore how businesses operate across different cultures and economies, examining stakeholder capitalism, ethical leadership and how business decisions affect employees, customers, communities and other stakeholders. Destinations and specific activities may vary.

What are the career outcomes for Love School of Business graduates?

For the Class of 2025, 97% of Love School of Business graduates were employed and/or attending graduate school nine months after graduation. The class reported a median starting salary of $72,000, continuing an upward trend over the past eight years.

Where do Love School of Business graduates work?

Love School of Business alumni begin careers at organizations such as Deloitte, EY, PwC, Microsoft, BlackRock, Vanguard, JPMorgan Chase, Bloomberg and Wells Fargo. Others pursue graduate and professional degrees at institutions including New York University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

What makes the Â鶹ÊÓƵ business experience distinctive?

Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Love School of Business emphasizes hands-on learning, close faculty relationships and professional preparation. Among the Class of 2025, 96% completed an internship, 77% studied abroad or participated in Study USA and 45% held leadership positions. Students also participate in service learning, undergraduate research and professional development experiences.

What other opportunities are available to Love School of Business students?

Students can participate in professional development programs, student organizations, undergraduate research, business competitions and global learning experiences. The Love School’s centers also connect students with industry professionals through networking opportunities, workshops, speakers and experiential learning.