Like most cooperative education programs, the one at Nashville State Technical Institute in Tennessee benefits all concerned--the student, the college, business and industry, and the community. Among the many benefits of the cooperative education program are the following: clarification of student career goals, provision of relevant professional experience, establishment of a good rapport between the college and the community, development of a pool of highly motivated individuals for entry level positions, and development of the possibility for employer input into college programing decisions. Available to all students enrolled in any engineering technology or business program, the Nashville State Technical Institute cooperative education program involves three credit plans. These are the alternating plan (alternate quarters of full-time employment and full-time study), the parallel plan (simultaneous part-time employment and study), and the extended day plan (simultaneous full-time employment and part-time study). Credit for each plan is awarded on the basis of several criteria, including employer evaluation, academic advisor evaluation, student notes made during the work experience, and a final student paper explaining how the experience met certain objectives. Highly successful, the Nashville program has provided many benefits to business, students, and the community. (MN)