X. Degree Programs

Co-operative Education Programs

Co-operative Education (Co-op), a form of work integrated learning, is a model of education that integrates a student’s academic learning with periods of paid workplace learning in fields relevant to the student’s academic and personal/professional goals. The academic and work schedules will vary with degree program and major. The first co-op work term is scheduled after the third or fourth academic semester, providing an academic foundation on which to build the work experience. Co-op is delivered in concert with employer partners, and constitutes part of the student’s formal curriculum.

Each work term is developed in collaboration with the employer and is approved by the institution as a suitable learning environment. Students participate in a competitive employment process to secure an approved co-op work term that is relevant to the student’s area of academic study. COOP*1100 – Introduction to Co-operative Education, a mandatory, non-credit course, is a prerequisite for the first work term and prepares the student for the employment process.

The student’s performance in the workplace is supervised and evaluated by the student’s employer using the Work Performance Evaluation tool. The student’s progress during the work term is also monitored by Co-operative Education & Career Services, including an official site visit during the co-op work term. A Co-op Work Term Report is required for each work term and is graded by an assigned Co-op Faculty Advisor. All evaluation grades will appear on the student’s official transcript.