Intro to Co-op Education
What is co-operative education?
Please note: You must currently be enrolled as a undergraduate full-time student at Trinity Western University in order to enroll in the Co-operative Education Program. Application and acceptance into the Program must occur before you have completed 90 semester hours.
Co-operative education combines full-time study with related employment. Students, employers, and the University work together so students can enhance their course work with practical experience.
To find out more click on one of the questions below:
What are the benefits of being a Co-Op student?
How long is a work term and how many are required?
Do I receive credit for a co-op work term?
Who qualifies for the co-op program?
Do I get paid for my work experience?
What happens if I do not complete a work term?
What programs offer co-op?
Where have students completed work terms?
Can international students enroll in co-op?
What are the benefits of being a Co-Op student?
- Helps you confirm interests and what you may or may not want to pursue as a career.
- Enables you to contextualize your course work.
- Builds self-confidence, professionalism while exposing you to the work field.
- Eases your transition from the education environment to the workplace.
- May lead to full-time employment.
How long is a work term and how many are required?
Each work term represents 400 - 640 hours of discipline-related work, which is equal to working for one semester. You may customize your co-op program according to your needs or the needs of your employer by:
- Scheduling your work term during the fall, spring or summer semester(registration for a work term must be received prior to the add/drop date of the semester preceding your work term).
- Completing multiple work terms back-to-back (e.g. fall & spring semesters, spring & summer semester, etc.).
- Students must complete 3 work terms (a total of 12 months) in order to receive a notation on their diploma. Students can choose to take up to 5 work terms (20 months).
Do I receive credit for a co-op work term?
No, academic credit is not given for co-op, however work terms are recorded on your transcript if you complete the requirements of the co-op program.
To receive the certificate, you must successfully:
- Complete three work terms;
- Earn favorable employer evaluations;
- Receive passing grades on each work term report;
- Satisfactorily complete the 1 credit course Career Prep 100.
Who qualifies for the co-op program?
Most majors require you to complete a minimum of three study terms before you are eligible to participate in a work term (i.e. you must be a second year student heading into your second semester).
Selection into the program is based on:
- Academic performance-minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 except for English where a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 is required. In order to qualify for the co-op program in Chemistry, the student must have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.7 and must have received an average lab mark of 80% in chemistry lab courses over the past 12 months.
- Communication skills
- Attitude/motivation
- Permission from your Academic Advisor
- Entrance Interview
Do I get paid for my work experience?
Yes. Your salary will be current and competitive, though it will vary among employers. The Career Experience Office requests employers to pay a fair wage based on qualifications and the nature of the work.
How do I find a co-operative education work placement?
To ensure your co-op work placement lines up with your career goals, The Career Experience Office empowers you to find your own work placement in a company that interests you.
To begin this exciting search come by the Student Success Centre for help in developing a professional resume and to receive tips for job interviews. You can search for co-op jobs in a variety of ways to start check out TWU Career Connect!
What happens if I do not complete a work term?
Not completing a work term constitutes a failing grade (F) that will go on your transcript. Once you have failed a work term, you will not be able to continue with the Co-op Program.
What programs offer co-operative education?
TWU presently offers co-op programs in:
- Biology
- Business (all specializations)
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Drama
- English
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Human Kinetics
- International Studies
- Linguistics
- Music
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
Where have students completed work terms?
In the past, we've placed students in these organizations:
- Athletes in Action
- Axis Interactive Design
- Bank of Montreal
- Barnabas Family Ministries
- CIBC
- City of Surrey: Parks and Recreation
- City of Missassauga
- Delta Recycling Society
- DuPont
- Environment Canada
- Class Software Solutions
- First Heritage Credit Union
- Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans: Small Craft Harbours
- Focus on the Family Canada
- Growthexperts.com
- HSBC
- IBM Canada
- Industry Canada
- KPMG
- Lau, Twui & Co. Accountants
- McMurray, Roberts Heming & Weyland
- Price Waterhouse Cooper
- Reachout Expeditions
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Samaritan's Purse
- Science Council of BC
- SPARA
- Surrey Community Services
- Surrey Metro Savings
- Vancouver Fire Prevention
Can international students enroll in co-op?
Yes. International students may obtain an Employment Authorization Permit when they are accepted into the co-op program. This authorization is good only for an approved off-campus work term. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the Employment Authorization Form from Canada Immigration. International students must apply for and receive employment authorization before they begin a co-op work term in Canada. You must maintain full time continuous student status to remain in the Co-op Program which means you either have to be enrolled in TWU courses or be enrolled in a full-time work term.