Work Experience - Delta College

Earn units on the job

The Occupational Work Experience (OWE) Program is designed for college students who are enrolled in a course(s) at San Joaquin Delta College, while working as paid or non-paid/volunteer employees. As a participant of the program, you may earn from 1- 4 units of general college credit per participating semester. You may earn a maximum of 16 units from this program. The goal of this program is to help you develop marketable skills, abilities, attitudes and work habits appropriate to successful employment in a career field!

Explore Program Areas Determine Units

An instructor and a group of students in a Machine Tool Technology classroom.

How to Qualify for OWE

Be Enrolled

You must be enrolled in one course in a discipline related to your job.

Be Employed

You must be employed, paid or unpaid, prior to submitting the OWE Application.

Apply

Your application must be submitted to the OWE Division Office by the semester deadline.

OWE Student Application Download OWE Student Report Forms

Important Dates & Additional Notes

Fall 2025 Session meets Sept 22 – Dec 05, 2025. The application is due by Friday, August 29, 2025.
If you have any unpaid fees or registration issues that would delay enrollment into the program, the Student Application Packet will automatically be disqualified.
If you are unable to complete the average number of hours per week, you will not earn the unit(s) requested from the program. Please review your employment schedule prior to submission and discuss the requirement with your supervisor.

Report Submission Deadlines

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Your related class can be taken concurrently or have been taken in the previous semester.

Units covered under internships related to certain OWE Program Areas are transferrable to the CSU system. Otherwise, you need to contact your school of interest to see if they accept Delta’s OWE units.

No. You must have a work supervisor to participate in this program.

No. If there is a hold in your MyDelta due to unpaid fees or registration issues, you must first clear these issues before you can apply for OWE.

No. You may not reduce/increase the number of units originally requested since the OWE course code you are assigned is specifically linked to the number of units you request on your application.

No. Grading of OWE courses is generally Pass/No Pass. Since there are no points associated with the grading, it does not affect your GPA.

ONLY if Work Experience is a required course on the Degree or Certificate.

Yes. Unpaid/volunteer work qualifies for OWE as long as you can substantiate the required work hours for the units you request.

View All OWE Program FAQs

Occupational Work Experience

Earn units on the job

How to Qualify for OWE

Important Dates & Additional Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to take the related course at the same time I’m enrolled in the OWE program?

Are OWE units transferrable to other colleges?

Can I qualify for OWE if I am self-employed?

Can I still apply for OWE if I have unpaid fees or registration issues?

Can I still receive a lesser number of units if I am not able to complete the number of hours for units originally requested?

Do OWE units affect my GPA?

Do OWE units apply to graduation requirements?

Does unpaid/volunteer work qualify for OWE?

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