FAQ

Co-operative Education terms are available for MPP and MEng.

For those students, the can apply directly into the Co-op program during admissions or while in-program. Details for how to apply to Co-op while in-program, can be found here. Students admitted to this option must satisfactorily complete at least two work terms in order to graduate with a co-op designation on their transcripts and diplomas. These work terms are four months in duration.

Please review “14.0 Co-operative Education Policy” from General Regulations on the Graduate Academic Calendar and connect with the Co-op Office should you have any questions.

MPP Co-op Eligibility

Students who are interested in admission into the Co-op education option and who anticipate meeting the admission requirements outlined below by the end of their second term of academic study must apply by the end of their first term of academic study.

To be eligible for admission to the MPP co-op option, students must:

• be enrolled in the Masters of Sustainable Energy and the Environment (MPP-SER);
• have successfully completed, by the start-date of the first work term, a majority of core courses the MPP-SER program
• be registered as a full-time student in each academic term prior to a work term;
• be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work terms)

During a work term, students will register in PADM 5913. While on a work term, students are limited to an additional 0.5 credit course. It should be noted that most co-op positions in the federal public service are restricted to Canadian citizens.

MEng Co-op Eligibilty

Students who are interested in admission into the Co-op education option and who anticipate meeting the admission requirements outlined below by the end of their second term of academic study must apply by the end of their first term of academic study.

To be eligible for admission to the MEng co-op option, students must:

1. be registered in the MEng Sustainable Energy program;
2. have successfully completed, before the start of their first work term, a minimum of 2.0 credits towards the M.Eng. program (of which 0.5 credits must be SERG 5001), with a minimum GPA in the program of 9.0;
3. be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work placements).

Meeting the preceding requirements only establishes eligibility for admission to the Co-op option – the prevailing job market may limit enrolment in it. Every effort will be made to find a work placement for each student admitted into the Co-op program, but there are no assurances that a Co-op position will be found. Students with high CGPA, enthusiasm, and potential, however, will have a competitive edge in securing Co-op employment. Students will be assisted by the Co-op Office to find work term positions.

During a work term, students will be registered in SERG 5913. While on a work term, students are limited to an additional 0.5 credit course, which must be taken outside of work hours. It should be noted that most co-op positions in the federal public service are restricted to Canadian citizens.

Student Accounts Receivable would be able to provide the most accurate answer on the cost of the program.

They have Fee Estimator Tool which uses last year’s tuition fees to show an estimate of the cost per term. This tool does not factor in inflation or any changes that may have affected pricing for the current or any upcoming terms.

Full-time students have 6 academic terms (2 academic years) in which to complete the degree.

Part-time students have 18 terms (6 academic years) in which to complete the degree.

These terms include those for which a student does not register in courses. They exclude those for which a student is enrolled in a Co-op work term, or for which a student has been granted a Leave of Absence.

Part-time and full-time status is outlined in “7.9 Status” in General Regulations of the Graduate Academic Calendar.

If you are unable to study for a term, you may apply for a leave of absence. To do so, please complete the Academic Change Request form and submit it to the program’s Graduate Administrator. The decision of whether or not to approve a leave of absence is made by the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Affairs (FGPA), on the advice of the appropriate Graduate Supervisor for your stream (MPP, MASc, MEng) in the Sustainable Energy program.

Terms for which a leave of absence has been granted do not count toward the time limit for completing the degree. Full-time students receiving university funding are recommended to connect with the Graduate Administrator to see how a Leave of Absense may affect their funding.

• All post-secondary transcripts
• Letters of Reference (2 required)
  • Please select two referees who can comment on your preparation and potential for graduate study in public policy and administration and sustainable energy and the environment.
  • Academic references are preferred (i.e. faculty members who have taught you or who have supervised your academic work) but professional references from current or previous employment is also acceptable.
• Statement of Intent (1 required)
  • No more than 1 page, single-spaced.
  • Briefly outline: your academic and/or professional experience; your personal and professional goals; and how the program will build on that experience in order to help you reach those goals.
• CV/Résumé (1 required)
  • Should include information about your education, professional experience, voluntary activities, and noteworthy achievements.
• Writing Sample (1 required)
  • Of which you are the sole author; 8-20 pages, double-spaced (i.e., a previous paper).

For additional detail on the required documents listed above, visit Graduate Admissions Required Documents page.

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:

1. Present an official transcript to indicate that they have completed a degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English.
2. Provide official documentation of a satisfactory English proficiency test score. Minimum scores for this program are: CAEL: 70; TOEFL (paper-based test): 580; TOEFL (internet-based test): 86, with a minimum score of 20 on each component; IELTS: 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band score.

This is consistent what is outlined on the program admissions pages (MPP, MASc, and MEng) and by Graduate Admissions.

Applications may be considered following the application deadline depending on space and availability remaining for that particular cohort.

Details also available on the Graduate Admissions Application Deadlines page and the Sustainable Energy Graduate Admissions page.

The admission requirements for each of the corresponding graduate program options within Sustainable Energy found at:

• Master of Public Policy (MPP) Admissions 
• Master of Applied Sciences (MASc) Admissions 
• Master of Engineering (MEng) Admissions 

Please note that MASc students should find a supervisor prior to entering the program.