Faculty Co-op Toolkit

What is the difference between Co-op, Internship and Field Placement?

• Co-op is paid, full-time employment and does not carry any academic credit. It is an important option over and above the academic degree with additional admission requirements.
• Internships and field placements are part of the course curriculum, are for academic credit, can be full-time (less likely) or part-time and typically are not paid.

• Undergraduate students take COOP1000 in the fall term of second year and conduct their job search in the winter term of second year. They typically have their first work term in the summer after second year.
• Students complete work and study terms as per their programs’ unique work study pattern. Every program has periods of work and periods of study.
• The patterns are established in collaboration with each academic department to ensure that students have access to necessary courses when they return to school from work. View more detailed information on work study patterns.
• Graduate students typically have their first work term in the summer after their first year. They conduct their job search in the winter of their first year.

• Almost every undergraduate academic program has a co-op option (some of the BA programs have other options for experiential education). There are several co-op options available at the graduate level as well. View the list of undergrad programs and the list of graduate programs.

Undergraduate Students

• Either apply from high school or apply once you are a Carleton student using the Undergraduate Student Application Form
• Must meet eligibility requirements (including CGPA). Co-op eligibility requirements, and regulations, can be found in the co-op section of the Undergraduate Calendar
• Be registered as a full-time student for the fall and winter study term
• Be legally able to work in Canada.

For questions regarding eligibility email the Co-op Office at co-opprogram@carleton.ca.

Graduate Students

• Apply on the co-op website using the graduate application form starting in the first term of their first year;
• Must meet eligibility requirements (including CGPA) found in Section 14 of the Graduate Calendar
• Be legally able to work in Canada;
• For questions regarding eligibility email the Co-op Office at co-opprogram@carleton.ca.

• Work Study patterns outline when students work and when they study throughout their participation in the co-op program
• View work study patterns for undergraduate students
• Grad students will be scheduled to complete two back to back work terms upon admission.
• Work study patterns can be modified with approval

• Undergraduate students must take COOP1000 which helps them to prepare for their co-op job search and work experience. It is mandatory to complete this course before a student will be given access to the co-op job board.
• Graduate students have access to online job search modules to assist them in their search.
• Students with questions or concerns should contact their co-op student advisor for one-on-one assistance throughout their participation in the co-op program

Both undergraduate and graduate co-op students can utilize the following supports

• One-on-one advising with their program specific co-op student advisor to assist with any issues that may arise during the co-op experience or job search;
• Networking events;
• Employer information panels;
• Student information panels;
• A dedicated job board for co-op students;
• Each program has a co-op faculty advisor.

• Students must apply for and maintain a valid co-op work permit throughout their participation in the co-op program.
• Upon admission students will be provided with more information about work permit applications.

• If a student completes all required work terms for their program they will receive their co-op designation.
• Co-op will add 8 to 12 months to the length of a students’ degree, as outlined in the corresponding work study pattern
• Co-op hours can be used toward professional designations (eg. PEng, CPA, etc.);
• Students experiencing difficulties with their job search should contact their co-op student advisors for assistance.
• Co-op eligibility requirements, regulations, and general information can be found on the Co-op website, in the co-op section of the Undergraduate Calendar and in Section 14 of the Graduate Calendar.

• ***Co-op positions in the federal government are bridge eligible.

The overall cost of the co-op program depends on the number of work terms that are completed. View more information about the cost of the program.