Co-operative Programs

Additional information on Co-operative Programs at Brock can be found under Experiential Learning Opportunities: https://brocku.ca/ccee/programs/

Departmental contact information can be found at:

https://brocku.ca/ccee/contact-us/#coop

Co-operative Education Office

Mackenzie Chown A336, x4325

co-op@brocku.ca

https://brocku.ca/co-op

The Co-operative Education Office at Brock manages and facilitates all campus co-op and program specific paid internship programs, and will:

	Advise students regarding application to co-op programs, co-op specific academic program requirements, employment opportunities, and job searches;
	Recruit employers for co-op and internship opportunities;
	Proactively market Brock to employers as the preferred school for student hires;
	Facilitate the co-op employment process from initial job postings, interview periods, to employment offers and hires;
	Coach and train students of their understanding of skill translation and career development;
	Prepare students for successful work term experiences by developing and facilitating professional preparation course and career related programming;
	Monitor and support employer/student relationship with regards to work term quality and student contribution through site check in and performance evaluation;
	Support student recruitment initiatives and activities to co-op/internships programs and evaluate student applications for admission decisions;
	Provide employment information to the Registrar's Office for inclusion on students’ academic transcripts;
	Students who are interested in applying to a co-op program are encouraged to contact the Co-operative Education Office for information.

1.What is a Co-op or Internship?

Co-operative education combines traditional undergraduate academic programming, career training and relevant work experience in alternating terms. The work term experiences are designed to prepare students for their transition from university to the professional community. The four and one half year to five and one half year and five year programs enable students to acquire experience in their areas of career interest. The practical experiences and academic studies complement one another. The Co-op Education Office manages the administration and facilitation of the co-op experience including training and development, on the job performance at Brock, and Co-op staff members for each program support students throughout their co-op experience.

Brock University co-op programs have clear advantages. Students can explore career possibilities, where their interests lie and the type of work environment that best suits them, helping them make informed decisions about their career options. Co-op graduates have the highest rates of employment after graduation. Many employers use co-op programs as a way to identify and recruit their future permanent workforce.

2. List of Current Programs

For a list of programs offering co-op, please go to https://brocku.ca/ccee/programs

Please consult the program section of this academic calendar for specific requirements.

3. Co-op Administrative Fees

In addition to academic tuition, students are assessed administrative fees for the co-op program. Universities offering co-op programs incur significant costs related directly to operating the program which is not covered by government operating grants. The Ministry of Education has established guidelines for setting co-op fees to allow universities to recover the cost from program participants. Brock follows Ministry guidelines, and as will other Universities, sets fees to distribute cost recovery through installments over the duration of the program. It is important to understand that the administrative fee is not a placement fee, but rather relates to all the non-academic costs of operating co-op programs. Please consult Student Accounts Financial Information regarding the amortization of Co-op fees. Co-op fees are subject to change/increase each year. Fees incurred are non-refundable.

4. Co-op Continuation and Completion Requirements

Co-op students are admitted into the Co-op degree program directly from high school. Regular degree students may still apply to a co-op program after first year of study with no more than 5.0 credits in order to be able to follow the respective co-op degree program. However, spaces are limited and not all co-op programs will be open for admission.

All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the Terms and conditions (https://careerzone.brocku.ca/myAccount/coop/termsAndConditions.htm) as articulated by the Co-op Education Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the Co-op option is based on the student's major average and non-major average, successfully complete pre-requisite mandatory Professional Preparation (ON90) Course and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and commitment to their professional development. All undergraduate co-op students are required to maintain their Honour standing as a minimum.

Professional Preparation Course (0N90)

Co-op Students are required to register for and complete a Co-op Professional Preparation course (0N90) comprising of lectures, presentations and industry specific information This non-credit course is a mandatory prerequisite requirement for co-op students to complete with an “SA” (Satisfactory) grade in order to continue on with their co-op journey.

Work Study Sequence

The work study sequence optimizes the quality of the work experience, by providing an opportunity to work during each cycle or season of a business. The alternating terms also ensure academic course requirements are met on a timely basis. Co-op students are required to follow the degree program course schedule listed in the Calendar. Alternative work study sequence may be accommodated for extenuating circumstances with approval from both the Co-op Education Office and the respective Academic unit.

Co-op Work Terms

Co-op students are required to complete minimum of three four-month full time co-op work terms typically in rotation with their academic terms. Each co-op work term requires minimum of 420 hours. Co-op students will typically end their degree on an academic term. Some exceptions may apply based on specific degree program structure. Refer to the respective degree in the Calendar for a complete sequence.

Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the co-op employment accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students should not withdraw from or terminate a work term without pre-consultation with the Co-op Education Office.

Integration and Reflective Learning

A Co-operative Education course titled Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration has been designed to allow for a better understanding of the learning components provided through both the co-op Professional Preparation course (0N90) and through challenging, structured, experiential opportunities. In addition to the experiential component of the co-op experience, students will be required to complete several reflective learning assignments include: Learning Objectives, Mid-point Self Reflection, Work Term check in and Final reflection. Employers will provide end of term feedback on their student’s overall performance and skill development. Each four-month co-operative education work term must be registered and a “Satisfactory” (SA) grade will be assigned to a work term course when a student fulfills their work term performance expectations and submits all required work term reflection assignments on time in satisfying quality.

This course structure will allow students to acquire 0.5 additive credits for these co-op specific activities. The additive credits cannot be used to replace course work that is required for an academic degree.

Participation in the work and reflective learning components of the program is mandatory and available to students who have been admitted to the co-op program, have successfully completed the 0N90 Professional Preparation Course for Co-op, and have maintained the required minimum major and non-major averages.

Withdrawals

In certain cases, students may choose to withdraw from the co-op option and complete their degree requirements through the regular program. The University can withdraw a student involuntarily from the co-op option if the student has not completed the Professional Preparation course successfully, or any of the work terms with satisfactory evaluations, or if the student has not met the required academic performance or Brock's code of conduct.

Graduation Requirements

To attain the co-op distinction on the degree program, Students in the co-op option must:

It is the responsibility of all co-op students to adhere to co-op program procedures and regulations which are outlined in the Undergraduate Co-op Students Terms and Conditions (https://careerzone.brocku.ca/myAccount/coop/termsAndConditions.htm).