Study International Engineering & Management

Go global and launch your career with this German American Co-op Program!

College of Charleston has partnered with NORDAKADEMIE University of Applied Sciences (Germany) to offer coursework to support NORDAKADEMIE's international engineering and management program. This unique opportunity allows you to gain hands-on experience while earning your bachelor's degree at NORDAKADEMIE—all while living and studying in both the U.S. and Germany.

The program equally imparts engineering and business science content to enable students to develop problem-solving approaches. The engineering fundamentals integrate mechanical, electrical/electronic, and information technology knowledge in the spirit of mechatronics. These concepts are placed into a broader context in application-oriented subject areas.

The business-related part of the program covers business administration, economics, and legal knowledge and skills. As a result, graduates are capable of preparing, implementing, and monitoring the success of decisions in all relevant areas of a company across various industries.

Through the program, your sponsoring company will cover the cost of your tuition and pay you for your work during training based on your individual agreement. As you train, you'll apply what you learn in the classroom in real-world settings.

Take the next step toward a global career with the best of both worlds! You will split your studies between the College of Charleston and NORDAKADEMIE (Hamburg, Germany). By graduation, you'll not only earn your degree from NORDAKADEMIE but you'll also gain international experience, build valuable industry connections and have a guaranteed job waiting for you.

Request Information
Degree

Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) from NORDAKADEMIE

Advanced Certification

You'll earn an Advanced Manufacturing Certificate & a Global Leadership Certificate from the College of Charleston.

No Cost for Students
The partner company covers tuition and provides compensation.

Program Admission Requirements

To enroll in the German American Co-op Program, you’ll need to meet certain academic requirements to ensure you’re prepared for both classroom learning and hands-on industry experience.

You’re eligible if you have a high school diploma and meet one additional requirement.
  • You have an associate degree.
  • You have successfully completed Advanced Placement (AP) exams*.
  • You have successfully completed one year at an accredited college or university.
  • German school credential (Abitur)

If you're unsure about your eligibility or have any questions, reach out to your academic advisor—we’re here to help!

*Advanced Placement Exams: Your AP Score Report will include four AP exams with at least a grade of 3 in the following subjects:

  • Mathematics (AP Calculus AB or BC)
  • 1 science subject (AP Biology, AP Chemistry or AP Physics C: (AP Physics C: Mechanics or AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism)) 
  • 1 language (AP French, AP Spanish, AP Latin, AP German, AP English Literature or AP English Language and Composition)
  • 1 additional subject corresponding to the upper secondary school (e.g. AP European/World/United States History, AP Computer Science A or AP Macroeconomics (0.5 credits/units) and AP Microeconomics (0.5 credits/units))

These exams must be taken separately with the College Board.

Find Your Advisor

Applying to the Program

Enrolling in the German-American Co-op Program involves a multi-step application process. You'll start by submitting your online application.
  • Apply to the Program

    Apply by submitting your online application to College of Charleston. 

    Please email Tina MacDonald, director of international admissions, for access to the application.

    Email Tina MacDonald to Apply
  • Successful completion of the selection process

    After your university application, you will receive access to the online assessment test by e-mail.

    Complete the online assessment that covers your academic knowledge, math skills personality, and motivation.

    Passing the online test is a prerequisite for admission to the study program. After passing the online test, you can apply to the companies.

  • Apply to Companies

    Apply to partner companies and participate in the company’s individual application process

    Apply to one of our partner companies for a place on this study program. We are happy to assist you with your application. Send your individual application and test results to the company.

    Contact NORDAKADEMIE for assistance
  • Contract & Enrollment

    Once selected and approved, you’ll sign a contract outlining the terms and conditions of the study program.

    You will then be enrolled at NORDAKADEMIE.

Accent Image

Global Experience & Academic Excellence

Gain international experience and a top-tier education through the German American Co-op Program. Study at the College of Charleston and at NORDAKADEMIE in Germany while gaining hands-on training with a partner company — all while preparing for a global career in engineering and management.

Accent Image

Curriculum, Training & Timeline

Through a combination of coursework and company training, you'll develop the skills you need to excel in a global business environment.
  • Curriculum

    International Engineering and Management (B.Eng.) with NORDAKADEMIE

    The following curriculum provides an example of the expected coursework. The listed courses represent key subject areas and may not reflect official course titles.

    You will spend semesters one, two, five and six at the College of Charleston. You will spend semesters three and four at NORDAKADEMIE. 

    Please note that course offerings are subject to change based on program updates and industry needs.


    Semester123456
    Economics, Law & Social Sciences
    Introduction to Business Administration✓-----
    Business Mathematics✓-----
    Financial Accounting-✓----
    Cost Accounting----✓-
    Managerial Accounting and Financial Management-----✓
    Purchasing & Supply Chain Management----✓-
    Marketing & Sales----✓-
    Commerce Law & Ethics----✓-
    Business Application Systems-----✓
    Math, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Technology
    Mathematics for Engineers✓-----
    Materials Technology--✓---
    Thermo- and Hydrodynamics--✓---
    Engineering Mechanics--✓---
    Electrical Engineering w/Lab--✓---
    Engines--✓---
    Tech. Basics of Information & Communication---✓--
    Control Engineering---✓--
    Manufacturing & Automation w/Lab ---✓--
    Computer Aided Design - CAD---✓--
    Introduction to Programming----✓-
    Integration
    Fundamentals of Engineering✓-----
    Systems Engineering: Life Cycle Design & Management-✓----
    Data-driven Decision Making-✓----
    Logistics, Operations Research-✓----
    Production Management w/Lab--✓--
    Communication & Languages
    Intercultural Communication✓-----
    Foreign Language✓✓----
    Final Thesis
    Bachelor's Thesis-----✓
    Work Placement
    Theory-Practice Transfer -✓✓✓✓✓
  • Training

    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.

    DepartmentFirst YearSecond YearThird Year
    Technical Training
    Production✓-✓
    Technical Engineering✓-✓
    Laboratory✓✓-
    Business Management Training
    Purchasing/Procurement-✓✓
    Accounting/Controlling✓-✓
    HR/Personnel-✓-
    Marketing-✓-
    Integrated Area Training
    Production Management (stock, dispatch, logistics)-✓✓
    Research & Development--✓
    Customer Center/Technical Service Center✓--

  • Timeline

    You will first spend 10 weeks building a strong theoretical foundation. Then, you will transition into an average of 15 weeks at your partner company, where you can apply what you‘ve learned in real-world settings.

    At the end of each semester, the theory-practice transfer paper challenges you to tackle a real question posed by the company, allowing you to merge academic knowledge with practical insights.

    This structure ensures that you actively contribute to exciting projects within your partner company, gaining valuable professional experience from day one.

    The third and fourth semesters take place in Germany (6 months). If your company has a location in Germany, the practical phase can also be in Germany. This means that the time in Germany can be extended from 6 months to a year.

    Internship (if available)

    • At Partner Company (16 weeks)

    First Year

    April - June

    • College of Charleston
      • Onboarding+Study (11 weeks)

    July - September

    • Industry Work (at your partner company in the U.S.)
      • 15 weeks*
    October - December
    • College of Charleston
      • Study (10 weeks)
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    January - March
    • Industry Work (at your partner company in the U.S.)
      • 16 weeks*
    • Theory-Practice Transfer

    *First year: 151 days at company (Mon.-Fri.)

     

    Second Year

    April - June

    • Industry Work (at your partner company in the U.S. or Germany)
      • 15 weeks**
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    July - September

    • University Study (Hamburg, Germany)
      • Study (10 weeks)
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    October - December

    • University Study (Hamburg, Germany)
      • Study (10 weeks)
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    January - March

    • Industry Work (at your partner company in the U.S. or Germany)
      • 17 weeks**
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    **Second year: 155 days at company (Mon.-Fri.)

    Third Year

    April - June

    • College of Charleston
      • Study (10 weeks)
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    July - September

    • Industry Work (at your partner company in the U.S.)
      • 15 weeks*
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    October - December

    • College of Charleston
      • Study (5 weeks)
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    January - March

    • Industry Work (at your partner company in the U.S.)
      • 15 weeks*
    • College of Charleston
      • Bachelor Thesis (8 weeks)
    • Theory-Practice Transfer Paper

    *Third year: 147 days at company (Mon.-Fri.)