School of Business & Economics

Programs

• Honours Business Administration/Honours Economics
• Honours Business Administration and Computer Science or Computing and Computer Electronics Double Degree
• Honours BBA (WLU) and Honours BMath (UW) Double Degree

Assistant Director of Co-operative Education: Karen McCargar, BA, ext. 4105

The Co-op Option provides an opportunity for participants to integrate their academic studies with work experience in co-operating organizations.

Students in the Business and Math double degree program begin their first four-month work term in the winter term of Year 2. Co-op students in other programs begin their alternating sequence of work and study terms at the end of Year 2. Honours Business Administration and Honours Economics co-op students accumulate 12 months of practical work experience through three work terms of four months each, and graduate four months after students in the regular sequence. Co-op students in the Honours BBA and HCCE double degree program and the Honours BBA (WLU) and Honours BMath (UW) double degree program accumulate 12 to 16 months of practical work experience through three to four work terms of four months each, and graduate within a four and two-thirds to five year time period.

To obtain the co-op designation, students must successfully complete all the requirements of both their academic program and the option. Students successfully completing the option will have the notation "Co-operative Option" appended to their transcripts and noted on their degree. No academic credit is given for participation in co-op.

The development of suitable work-term employment for co-op students is under the direction of the Department of Co-operative Education. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to conduct interviews on campus. Students prepare for the job search by attending workshops and individual counselling sessions.

Although employment cannot be guaranteed, every effort is made to ensure that suitable employment is available for students admitted to the option. Each position is approved as a suitable learning situation, and students are engaged in productive work. Their progress is monitored by the Co-op Office and their performance is supervised and evaluated by their employers. Students are compensated by their employer for work performed.

Co-op students follow the same academic program as regular students. Because of the alternating pattern of work and study terms, there may be some differences in the scheduling of individual courses.

A co-op fee is payable in each academic term of Year 2 and Year 3. Students enrolled in the Business and Computing double degree program are charged one additional fee in the academic term of Year 4 that precedes the final work term. Students not pursuing a fourth work term may opt out and obtain a refund.

Visa students must contact the Department of Co-operative Education regarding their eligibility.