What is Cooperative Education?

How do I get a job without any experience? How do I get experience without having a job? This is a dilemma that many college students face as they prepare themselves for graduation and beyond. Cooperative Education (Co-op) and Internships allow students to combine classroom learning with professional work experience in their chosen field of study. The program is based on the belief that learning extends beyond the classroom and that the combination of course learning and practical work experience provides an innovative and comprehensive education.

Under the supervision of both a sponsoring employer and the appropriate academic department, participants secure paid, career-related work experience. They spend three to nine months on Co-op assignments and earn from one to eight hours of credit per semester.

Co-op requires course registration. Registered Co-op students enjoy full-time student status, regardless of the number of credits they are taking, and pay tuition based on the cost per credit. We currently have 37 undergraduate and 10 graduate majors that offer Cooperative Education .

What is an Internship? 

An internship is another experiential learning experience which is very similar to a Co-op. The basic difference between the two is that a Co-op is always a paid, credit generating experience whereas an internship may or may not be paid, and you may or may not get course credit as well. Internships are often one-time work experiences that you may only participate in once, while students may return to Co-op positions over the course of several semesters.

I am interested in a Co-op or an Internship. How do I start?

(check out the NEW method below) 

1. Pick up a Co-op Packet from Career Services, 280 McCannel Hall and:

• Sign Student Agreement and Release Form – leave at Career Services
• Take Departmental Recommendation Form - return to Faculty Co-op Coordinator to review and sign
• Receive Student Guide to Cooperative Education
• Create a Career Connect account (or log-in if you have already done so) and click on "Report a Co-op/Intern Hire."

2. Receive permission number and number of credits from your Faculty Co-op Coordinator

3. Register for Cooperative Education Class # 397, 537, or 597 on Campus Connection. 

Download the "Student Guide to Cooperative Education"

Contact the following administrative offices if applicable:

1.  Student Account Services

• Call 777-2290 if your company has offered to pay your tuition costs.

2.  Housing Office

• Update your housing application at the Housing Office if you plan to return to campus housing after you complete your Co-op/internship.

3.  International Centre

• Contact an International Student Advisor for permission and paperwork to do a Co-op.