Partner Companies Train Students to be Workforce-Ready

Developing global-ready talent for your business

The College of Charleston has partnered with NORDAKADEMIE University of Applied Sciences (Germany) to offer coursework toward NORAKADEMIE's first-of-its-kind bachelor's degree program in international engineering and management. This German American Co-op Program provides businesses with highly skilled, workforce-ready professionals by integrating academic excellence with hands-on industry experience.

Through the program, students gain practical expertise by working at a partner company while completing their bachelor's degree. Their education is split between College of Charleston and NORDAKADEMIE (Hamburg, Germany)—ensuring students graduate with both international experience and industry-ready skills.

Investing in Your Future Employees

As a partner company, you'll invest in preparing international engineering and management professionals for immediate integration into your company. Upon completion of the program, students commit to working for your organization for two years.

Partnering Business Investment

  • Tuition fee: $22,000 per year ($66,000 in total, excluding accommodation, i.e., housing, dining, parking, travel, etc.
  • Student Compensation: Annual compensation to be determined by company.
  • Funding Support (Companies apply individually)

Technology Meets Business

In the NORDAKADEMIE program, your partner students become the nexus of technology and business: they receive a rigorous education in engineering management combined with hands-on training in your organization.

  • Technical Proficiency: Students learn to interconnect aspects of engineering, electrical and information technologies.
  • Business Acumen: Students gain skills in tracking the economic efficiency and predictability of legal decisions and technical systems.

As a partner company, you gain the unique opportunity to cultivate - and retain - future leaders who are skilled in both engineering management and industrial engineering.

These students bring not only technical expertise, but also a business-oriented mindset shaped by real-world experience in your organization.

Contact Us for More Information

3-Year University and Industry Timeline

Students will first spend 10 weeks at the university, building a strong theoretical foundation. Then, they will transition into an average of 15 weeks at your partner company, where they can apply what they've learned in real-world settings. At the end of each semester, the theory-practice transfer paper challenges the students to tackle a real question posed by the company, allowing them to merge academic knowledge with practical insights. This structure ensures that the students actively contribute to exciting projects within the partner company, gaining valuable professional experience from day one. The third and fourth semesters take place in Germany (6 months). If the 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.
  • Year 1

    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.)

     

  • Year 2

    In their second year, students will split time working at their partner company and spending 20 weeks studying at NORDAKADEMIE in Germany.

    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.)

     

     

  • Year 3

    In year three, students will complete their bachelor's degree in international engineering and management with NORDAKADEMIE while continuing to work for your organization.

    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.)

Benefits for Partner Companies

Partnering with the College of Charleston and NORDAKADEMIE is a valuable pathway to influence, inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders while benefiting from their perspectives and enthusiasm for innovation.
  • Integrated, Committed Employees

    As a partner company, you'll gain unique access to emerging talent with individuals who are already integrated into your business culture.

    Students commit to working for your sponsoring company for two years following graduation.

  • Innovative Collaborations

    Work with students on projects that bring fresh perspectives and ideas to your organization.

    Whether it's tackling real-world challenges, developing new strategies or enhancing existing processes, students contribute innovative approaches that can uncover unique opportunities and add immediate value to your business.

  • Cost Savings

    Participation in this work and study education program can reduce onboarding costs for your business since the students are already familiar with your company's processes and cultures.

    In addition, your business can recruit future employees at an early stage and make long-term investments in employee development funded by the state of South Carolina.

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Invest in Talent. Build Your Future.

Partner with us to develop skilled professionals who gain hands-on experience in your company while completing their degree. They're ready to contribute from day one after graduation.

Contact Garth Cook for More Info
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