What is a Cohort Program?

If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and are considering a cohort program, it will definitely be a big plus to your educational experience. Cohort programs are academic groups that are formed for students to help get the support they need in order to enrich their overall academic experience and achieve their professional goals. Cohort programs are common in many study abroad programs, online schools and other educational settings where many students meet up and work collectively together on various projects and papers. Here is a quick overview of what a cohort program is and how it can benefit you.

What exactly is a cohort program?

A cohort program is usually a class that is offered through an academic program, at both the undergraduate and graduate level, to students who are looking to further enrich their academic studies by participating in classes and workshops–usually on site at a corporation, organization or an agency. Many cohort programs allow individuals to gain real-world experience while still learning a variety of information through a traditional academic setting. Cohorts are offered for those aspiring to be nurses, teachers, doctors, and other professionals who need to get serious hands-on experience. One of the best benefits of a cohort program is that it will also allow you to get experience while networking with your peers along with other professionals in your chosen field.

Cohort Programs and Online Schools

Because many online degree programs are non-traditional, they rely heavily on cohort programs to help students reinforce the knowledge and skills they’ve learned through an online course. Cohort programs are sometimes the bedrock of successful online degree programs as they allow professionals to fast-track their careers by being onsite and intimately involved with their respective future careers.

Resource: Top 10 Best Online Masters in Business Administration Degree Programs

How do I find a cohort best for my needs?

The first thing to do when looking for a cohort program is to talk to your academic advisor about your degree program and whether or not your particular school offers a program. Next, decide which site or organization you would like to participate in. Many cohort program are offered in different countries as apart of study abroad programs and this could be an issue for many people who cannot simply pack their bags and leave town for another country due to family and other personal issues.

How can a cohort benefit me?

A cohort program can be beneficial in a variety of ways. In a sense, they serve as a hybrid between an internship, professional development seminar and a regular academic course. Students are able to get intimate, hands-on experience in their respective field while still attending classes and networking with their peers.

If you are interested in learning more about cohort programs, check with your academic advisor and see what options are currently available at your school. Sometimes, some schools will have partnerships with other universities and colleges to allow their students to participate in their proxy cohort programs.