Taking the 35-year success story of the University of Cooperative Education into account, the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg has changed the university’s legal status on March 1st, 2009. The institution now is called Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University. Raising the institution’s status is intended to ensure its national and international recognition.

The Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University with its main seat in Stuttgart is the first university in Germany to integrate academic studies and work experience. Like the other universities, it is a legal entity of public law and simultaneously a state institution. Its trademarks will be the structural characteristics of the University of Cooperative Education, in particular, the participation of training companies and institutions and the dual learning principle of studies. The eight main locations and four branch campuses with their areas of responsibility and close networking with the regional economy are the pillars of the Cooperative State University.

The conversion to dual university status means the new institution can grant academic degrees. One of the main innovations is the brief to realize cooperative research projects. That means that collaboration with partner enterprises and institutions can be intensified, and steps can be taken to make academic studies more up-to-date.

The Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University offers a broad spectrum of bachelor degree programs in the fields of business, engineering, and social work. All the degree programs are worth 210 ECTS credits and count as intensive programs.