通过这种创新的职业学习方法，学生可以在当地可以找到工作的领域学习职业技能。尽管与合作教育和实习计划相似，但COCAL要求学生在工作现场学习基本的职业技能，且无薪。学生向遵从学院规定的能力准则并基于ONET在线规范，国家能力目录和雇主意见的专业专业人员学习。学生将协作式职业学习与相关大学课程工作的12-18学分相结合，以获得一年制个人学习证书。
In this innovative approach to career learning, students learn career skills in fields in which jobs are available locally. Although similar to cooperative education and internship programs, COCAL requires that students learn basic career skills at job sites without pay. Students learn from practicing professionals who follow competency guidelines prescribed by the College and based on ONET online specifications, national competency catalogs, and employer input. Students combine collaborative career learning with 12‑18 credits of related college course work to earn a one‑year certificate in Individual Studies.