Co-operative Education

• Science Co-op
• Honours BA and Honours BSc Computer Science
• Honours BSc Computer Science, or BA Financial Mathematics and BBA Double Degree Co-op Program
• Honours BSc Data Science
• Honours BSc Water Science and Environmental Health
• Honours BA Geography
• Honours BA Environmental Studies
• Honours BSc Geography
• Honours BSc Geography and Geomatics
• Professional Experience Program

All full-time honours students in the Faculty of Science may apply for the co-op designation.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. Faculty of Science co-op students complete two work terms of at least 10 weeks each, in approved employment related to their discipline or career goals. Students begin the first work term after completing at least four academic terms. Normally work terms will be completed during the summer after Year 2 and Year 3, although work term requirements may also be fulfilled through full- or part-time positions scheduled during one academic year.

Students complete the COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course, a pass/fail half-credit course that introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education. Co-op credits are in addition to a student’s academic program and are not included in a student’s overall GPA or in their credit count.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts positions that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although the university cannot guarantee that students will obtain employment, staff members in the Co-op Office strive to make suitable employment available to co-op students.

Employers supervise their students and evaluate their workplace performance. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports.  Employers compensate students for the work they perform. (In exceptional cases, an Arts Co-op or Science Co-op student may be eligible to accept a volunteer position.)

Participants pay a co-op fee in each academic term of Year 2 and Year 3.

To obtain the co-op designation, students must complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the co-op program. For a complete description of the academic program, refer to the academic requirements of the departments offering honours programs.

Students completing the program will have the notation "Co-operative Education" appended to their transcript and noted on their degree. No academic credit is given for participation in co-op.

Application Procedure 

 We encourage students to apply to Science Co-op during the winter term of Year 1. In 2023, the final deadline is September 1 of Year 2. Enrolment in co-op is limited, and the admission process is highly competitive.

Application procedure includes:
i. completion of an online application,
ii. full-time registration in an honours degree program,
iii. submission of a résumé,
iv. an admission interview.

To qualify for an admission interview in September of Year 2, applicants must obtain a minimum GPA of 7.00 overall in Year 1 or a minimum GPA of 7.00 in their honours discipline courses and a minimum GPA of 6.50 overall in Year 1. Selection of candidates is based on their academic record, performance during the interview, recent work experience, and recent volunteer service and extracurricular activities.

Students must complete five full credit courses (ten half-credit courses) and meet the requirements of progression to second year to be considered for admission to co-op. We give preference to students who complete their courses by May of first year but will consider students who don't meet requirements until the end of August. Students who have more than 7.5 credits are not eligible for co-op as they are too far along in their studies.

The only entry point for Science Co-op is at the beginning of the fall term in second year. Students who have withdrawn or have been removed from their academic program are not eligible to continue in co-op, even if they are later reinstated into that program.

For further information, contact the Department of Co-operative Education at the address provided in the previous section.

"Co-operative education," a form of work-integrated learning, is a model of education that integrates and alternates a student's academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to the student's academic and personal goals.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. The time spent in the workplace comprises at least 30% of the time spent in academic study. Co-op work terms are approximately the length of each study term. Students are exposed to the work environment during more than one season of the year and their co-op programs begin and end on an academic term. 

Students admitted into Computer Science co-op accumulate 12 months of experience by completing three four-month work terms. The first work term is in the fall term of third year, following 3A, the second is in the spring following 3B, and the final is in the winter, following 4A.

Co-op students follow the same academic program as regular students. Because of the alternating pattern of work and study terms, there may be some differences in the scheduling of individual courses.

In addition to the 20.0 credits required by their program, co-op students must complete the following requirements to graduate with the Co-operative Education designation: 

• Three work terms, normally completed over four month blocks
• Three pass/fail companion half-credit courses, one taken concurrently with each four-month work term, beginning with COOP-001 Co-operative Education Work Term 1, then COOP-002 and COOP-003.
• Participants complete the COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course, a pass/fail half-credit course that introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education. Co-op credits are in addition to a student’s academic program and are not included in a student’s overall GPA or in their credit count.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts those jobs that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although the university cannot guarantee that students will obtain employment, staff members in the Co-op Office strive to make suitable employment available to co-op students.

Employers supervise their students and evaluate their workplace performance. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports.  Employers compensate students for the work they perform.

Participants pay a co-op fee in each of four academic terms, as detailed in the fee schedule on the co-op website.

To obtain the co-op designation, students must complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the co-op program. For a complete description of the academic program, refer to the academic requirements of the departments offering honours programs.

Students completing the program will have the notation "Co-operative Education" appended to their transcript and noted on their degree. No academic credit is given for participation in co-op.

Application Procedure

Students apply online to co-op. The deadline for application to admission to co-op is normally the first day of September of Year 2. Specific application deadline dates are stipulated on the co-op website. Enrolment in co-op is limited, and the admission process is highly competitive.  

Application procedure includes:
i. completion of an online application,
ii. full-time registration in an honours degree program,
iii. submission of a résumé,
iv. an admission interview.

To qualify for an admission interview in the fall of Year 2, applicants' Year 1 grades must meet the minimum GPA as set annually by the Co-Op Office, but will not be lower than 7.0 overall. Applicants must also obtain the annually set minimum GPA in the Fall term of Year 2. Selection of candidates is based on their academic record, performance during the interview, recent work experience, and recent volunteer service and extracurricular activities. The application process is competitive. Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission due to available space.

Students must complete five full credit courses (ten half-credit courses) and meet the requirements of progression to second year to be considered for admission to co-op. We give preference to students who complete their courses by May of first year but will consider students who don't meet requirements until the end of August. Students who have more than 7.5 credits are not eligible for co-op as they are too far along in their studies.

The Co-op Office will offer admission to selected students at the beginning of the winter term of Year 2.

The only entry point for Computer Science co-op is at the beginning of the winter term in second year. Students who have withdrawn or been removed from their academic program are not eligible to continue in co-op, even if they are later reinstated into that program.

For further information, contact the Department of Co-operative Education at the address provided in the previous section.

"Co-operative education," a form of work-integrated learning, is a model of education that integrates and alternates a student's academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to the student's academic and personal goals.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. The time spent in the workplace comprises at least 30% of the time spent in academic study. Co-op work terms are approximately the length of each study term. Students are exposed to the work environment during more than one season of the year and their co-op programs begin and end on an academic term.

Co-op students in the Honours Computer Science or (BSc) or Financial Mathematics (BA) and Business Administration (BBA) double degree program begin their alternating sequence of four-month work and study terms at the end of Year 2. Students in Financial Mathematics and Business Administration accumulate 12 months of practical work experience through three terms of four months each, and graduate within four and two-thirds years. Students in the other double degree programs accumulate 12 to 16 months of practical work experience through three to four terms of four months each, and graduate within four and two-thirds to five years.

Co-op students follow the same academic program as regular students. Because of the alternating pattern of work and study terms, there may be some differences in the scheduling of individual courses.

Students prepare for the job search by completing the COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course, a pass/fail half-credit course introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education. Co-op credits are in addition to a student’s academic program and are not included in a student’s overall GPA or in their credit count.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts those that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although the university cannot guarantee that students will obtain employment, staff members in the Co-op Office strive to make suitable employment available to co-op students.

Employers supervise their students and evaluate their workplace performance. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports. Employers compensate students for the work they perform.

A co-op fee is payable in each academic term of Year 2 and Year 3. Students will be charged one additional fee in the academic term of Year 4 that precedes the final work term. Students not pursuing a fourth work term may apply for a refund.

To obtain the co-op designation, students must complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the co-op program. Students completing the program will have the notation "Co-operative Education" appended to their transcript and noted on their degree. No academic credit is given for participation in co-op.

Application Procedure

The only entry point for co-op is at the beginning of the fall term in Year 2.

Students must complete five full credit courses (ten half-credit courses) and meet the requirements of progression to second year to be considered for admission to co-op. We give preference to students who complete their courses by May of first year but will consider students who don't meet requirements until the end of August. Students who have more than 7.5 credits are not eligible for co-op as they are too far along in their studies.

Students who have withdrawn or have been removed from these double degree programs before their first work term and who register in the BBA program at Laurier may not continue in co-op unless they are successful in the competitive co-op admission process at the beginning of second year, as outlined in the applicable Co-operative Education section of the calendar. Double degree students who have completed at least one work term and who transfer to a single degree program other than the BBA program are advised to consult with the Co-op Office about their eligibility to continue in co-op.

In 2023 students in these double degree programs indicate their intention to participate in co-op by enrolling online by September 1 of Year 2.

For further information, contact the Department of Co-operative Education at the address provided in the previous section.

"Co-operative education," a form of work-integrated learning, is a model of education that integrates and alternates a student's academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to the student's academic and personal goals.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. The time spent in the workplace comprises at least 30% of the time spent in academic study. Co-op work terms are approximately the length of each study term. Students are exposed to the work environment during more than one season of the year and their co-op programs begin and end on an academic term. 

Students admitted into Data Science accumulate 12 months of experience by completing three four-month work terms. Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. The time spent in the workplace comprises at least 30% of the time spent in academic study. Co-op work terms are approximately the length of each study term. Students are exposed to the work environment during more than one season of the year and their co-op programs begin and end on an academic term.

Students admitted to Data Science Co-op will have their first (W1) of three four-month work terms in the Fall of the third year following 3A. Second work term (W2) will take place the Spring of the third year following 3B with third work term (W3) in Winter of the fourth year following 4A. Following the third work term, students will be taking full-time courses in the Spring term in order for the Data Science Co-op program to be accredited. The complete schedule is as follows:

Year 1: 1A (Fall), 1B (Winter)
Year 2: 2A (Fall), 2B (Winter), 3A (Spring)
Year 3: W1 (Fall), 3B (Winter), W2 (Spring)
Year 4: 4A (Fall), W3 (Winter), 4B (Spring)

Co-op students follow the same academic program as regular students. Because of the alternating pattern of work and study terms, there may be some differences in the scheduling of individual courses.

In addition to the 20.0 credits required by their program, co-op students must complete the following requirements to graduate with the Cooperative Education designation:

• COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course;
• Three work terms, normally completed over four-month blocks;
• Three pass/fail companion half-credit courses, one taken concurrently with each four-month work term, beginning with COOP-001 Co-operative Education Work Term 1, then COOP-002 and COOP-003.
  

Participants complete the COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course, a pass/fail half-credit course that introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education. Co-op credits are in addition to a student’s academic program and are not included in a student’s overall GPA or in their credit count.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts those jobs that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although the university cannot guarantee that students will obtain employment, staff members in the Co-op Office strive to make suitable employment available to co-op students.

Employers supervise their students and evaluate their workplace performance. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports. Employers compensate students for the work they perform.

Participants pay a co-op fee in each of four academic terms, as detailed in the fee schedule on the co-op website.

To obtain the co-op designation, students must complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the co-op program. For a complete description of the academic program, refer to the academic requirements of the departments offering honours programs.

Students completing the program will have the notation "Co-operative Education" appended to their transcript and noted on their degree.

Application Procedure:

Students apply to the Data Science Co-op program in their second year. In 2023, the application deadline is September 1 of Year 2. Enrolment in co-op is limited, and the admission process is competitive.

Application procedure includes:
i. completion of an online application,
ii. full-time registration in the Honours BSc Data Science program,
iii. submission of a résumé,
iv. an admission interview.

To qualify for an admission interview in January of Year 2, applicants must obtain a minimum GPA of 7.00 overall in first year. To be eligible for admission, applicants must also obtain an overall GPA of 7.00 in the fall term of Year 2.

Students must complete five full credit courses (ten half-credit courses) and meet the requirements of progression to second year to be considered for admission to co-op. We give preference to students who complete their courses by May of first year but will consider students who don't meet requirements until the end of August. Students who have more than 7.5 credits are not eligible for co-op as they are too far along in their studies.

The Co-op Office will offer admission to selected students at the beginning of the winter term of Year 2.

Selection of candidates is based on their academic record, performance during the interview, recent work experience, and recent volunteer service and extracurricular activities.

The only entry point for the Data Science co-op is at the beginning of the winter term in second year. Students who have withdrawn or been removed from their academic program are not eligible to continue in co-op, even if they are later reinstated into that program.

For further information, contact the Department of Co-operative Education at the address provided in the previous section.

"Co-operative education," a form of work-integrated learning, is a model of education that integrates and alternates a student's academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to the student's academic and personal goals.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence. The time spent in the workplace comprises at least 30% of the time spent in academic study, and must occur during more than one season. Co-op programs begin and end on an academic term.

Water Science and Environmental Health co-op students accumulate 16 months of experience by completing two work terms of eight months each, in approved employment related to their discipline or career goals. Students begin their first eight-month work term in the winter of third year, and begin their second eight-month work term in the summer of fourth year.

Co-op students follow the same academic program as regular students. Because of the alternating pattern of work and study terms, there may be some differences in the scheduling of individual courses.

In addition to the 20.0 credits required by their program, co-op students must complete the following requirements to graduate with the Co-operative Education designation:

• Three work terms, normally completed over four month blocks,
• Three pass/fail companion half-credit courses, one taken concurrently with each four-month work term, beginning with COOP-001 Co-operative Education Work Term 1, then COOP-002 and COOP-003. Students enrolled in Applied Water Science complete a fourth work term and an additional companion course, COOP-004,
• Participants complete the COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course, a pass/fail half-credit course that introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education. Co-op credits are in addition to a student’s academic program and are not included in a student’s overall GPA or in their credit count.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts those jobs that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although the university cannot guarantee that students will obtain employment, staff members in the Co-op Office strive to make suitable employment available to co-op students.

Employers supervise their students and evaluate their workplace performance. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports.  Employers compensate students for the work they perform.

Participants pay a co-op fee in each of four academic terms, as detailed in the fee schedule on the co-op website.

To obtain the co-op designation, students must complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the co-op program. For a complete description of the academic program, refer to the academic requirements of the departments offering honours programs.

Students completing the program will have the notation "Co-operative Education" appended to their transcript and noted on their degree. No academic credit is given for participation in co-op.

Application Procedure

The deadline for applying for admission to Water Science and Environmental Health co-op in 2023 is September 1 of Year 2. Enrolment in co-op is limited, and the admission process is highly competitive.

Application procedure includes:
i. completion of an online application, 
ii. full-time registration in an honours degree program,
iii. submission of a résumé, 
iv. an admission interview. 

To qualify for an admission interview in the fall of Year 2, applicants must obtain a minimum GPA of 7.00 overall in Year 1.

Students must complete five full credit courses (ten half-credit courses) and meet the requirements of progression to second year to be considered for admission to co-op. We give preference to students who complete their courses by May of first year but will consider students who don't meet requirements until the end of August. Students who have more than 7.5 credits are not eligible for co-op as they are too far along in their studies.

Selection of candidates is based on their academic record, performance during the interview, recent work experience, and recent volunteer service and extracurricular activities. To qualify for admission, applicants must obtain an overall GPA of 7.00 after completing term 2A in the fall. The Co-op Office will offer admission to selected students at the beginning of the winter term of Year 2.

The only entry point for Water Science and Environmental Health co-op is at the beginning of the winter term in second year. Students who have withdrawn or been removed from their academic program are not eligible to continue in co-op, even if they are later reinstated into that program.

For further information, contact the Department of Co-operative Education at the address provided in the previous section.

Director, Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships: Colleen Myronyk, MA, CHRL, ext. 4105

"Co-operative education," a form of work-integrated learning, is a model of education that integrates and alternates a student's academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to the student's academic and personal goals. Full-time Honours BA and BSc Computer Science may apply for the Professional Experience Program.

Both work and academic terms are full-time and follow a formalized sequence.  An internship includes one continuous work period where the total amount of co-op work experience is at least 30% of the time spent in academic study. Internships normally commence once the student has completed at least 50% of the academic program is complete. Students get exposure to the work environment during more than one season of the year and their co-op programs begin and end on an academic term.

The Professional Experience Program requires students to complete one work term of 12 to 16 months, in approved employment related to their discipline, after Year 3 of the program. PEP students graduate approximately 12 months after students in the regular program.

Students prepare for the job search by completing the COOP-000 Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course, a pass/fail half-credit course that introduces students to the requirements, processes and essential topics of co-operative education.

Employers provide job descriptions, and the Department of Co-operative Education accepts those that provide a suitable learning environment and engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although the university cannot guarantee that students will obtain employment, staff members in the Co-op Office strive to make suitable employment available to co-op students.

Employers supervise their students and evaluate their workplace performance. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports. Employers compensate students for the work they perform.

Students pay a co-op fee in the fall term of Year 3 and a double fee in the winter term.

To obtain the Professional Experience Program designation, students must complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the experience program. Students completing the program will have the notation "Professional Experience Program" appended to their transcript and noted on their degree. No academic credit is available for participation in this program.

Application Procedure

In 2024, the deadline to apply for admission to the Professional Experience Program (PEP)  is the first Friday of September. To be eligible, Honours BSc/BA Computer Science students must have full-time status and be in third year. The minimum requirements by the end of second year are an overall cumulative GPA of 7.0, or an overall cumulative GPA of 6.5 and a GPA of 7.0 in Computer Science courses. The application process is competitive. Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission due to available space.

Application procedure includes:

1. completion of an online application,
2. full-time registration in Honours Computer Science.

Students must complete ten full credit courses (20 half-credit courses) and meet the requirements of progression to third year to be considered for admission to PEP. Students who have more than 14 full credits are not eligible for PEP as they are too far along in their studies.

The only entry point for PEP is at the beginning of the fall term in third year. Students who withdraw or are removed from their academic program are not eligible to continue in PEP, even if they are later reinstated into that program.

For further information, contact the Department of Co-operative Education at the address provided in the Co-operative Education section.