What Does Co-op Entail?

Once admitted to Co-op, students complete Co-op training modules and begin a Co-op job search with the support of their assigned Coordinator.  Most students will begin their first work term 4 or 8 months after joining the Co-op program, so:

• If you join the Fall intake, you would begin your first work term in January or May
• If you join the Winter intake, you would begin your first work term in May or September

During a Work Term

During a Co-op work term, students work full-time and don’t take academic courses.  However, students are registered in a non-credit WKEXP course while working to maintain full-time student status.  Students are registered in a different WKEXP course for each 4-month work term, so if you do an 8-month work term, you will be registered in one WKEXP course for the first 4 months and another WKEXP course for the second 4 months. 

There is tuition associated with WKEXP courses (see How Much Does Co-op Cost for more information). WKEXP courses are taken in addition to academic courses and are graded on a pass-fail basis. 

To complete the requirements for a WKEXP course, you need to complete the following:

• 13-16 weeks of full-time work
• Work term report
• A site visit meeting with a Coordinator
• Receive a satisfactory evaluation from your supervisor

Co-op students complete 12 months of work experience in total through a combination of 4 or 8-month work terms, which generally alternate with school terms.  While on a work term, Co-op students are paid a salary which is set by the employer (average salary is $3600 per month).  Work terms can start in January, May, or September and are usually 4 or 8 months long.  

Students are not guaranteed a work term in the Co-op program.  We prepare students to conduct a job search and provide job postings, training, support and guidance, but ultimately, you are responsible for securing a work term.

Joint Degree Programs

Students participating in the following joint degree programs are eligible to apply to the Co-op program:

• BSc in Agricultural/Food Business Management
• BSc in Fashion Business Management
• BSc in Forest Business Management

All admission and program requirements of the Business Co-op Program are the same for students in joint degree programs. 

Due to the nature of the majority of the job postings received by the Co-op Program, students in one of the joint degree programs who join the Co-op program are encouraged to have a broad perspective.  We are unable to guarantee the distribution of job postings; however, Work Integrated Learning Officers are available to support students in a self-directed job search.

 

If you have additional questions, please email us at businesscoop@ualberta.ca.