Progress through the Co-operative Education Program is bound by the rules concerning Registration, Course Work, Student Standing, Fees and Expenses and Withdrawal Policies specified in the Co-operative Education/Internship section of this Calendar.
Sequence
Those students who successfully apply by December 1 normally undergo preparation and search for a placement during the Winter term and enter their first work terms in the Spring/Summer term. Those who apply by May 1 normally prepare during Fall term and enter their first placement during Winter term. Subsequent work terms are interspersed with academic terms. A minimum of three work terms is required and a fourth may be approved at a student's request. Students must complete all of the academic requirements for their programs and must finish on an academic term.
Development of Job-Search Skills
Approval for a student's first work term and registration in the accompanying course, Co-operative Education 511.01, is conditional on full participation in the pre-placement preparatory activities established by the Co-operative Education Office.
Prescribed Preparatory Courses
If the Co-operative Education Office identifies deficiencies in a particular student's general background, courses or other preparatory work may be prescribed for completion before the student's first (or next) work term.
To provide a sound foundation for work terms related to a Major Field of study and to enhance the student's ability to compete for opportunities, academic Departments and Programs may also recommend courses to be completed by students in that Major. A list of the recommended courses for each Major Field is available through the Co-operative Education office.
Work term Activity
Students are expected to focus on their placements and do not normally take any academic courses during their work terms. Nevertheless, students may elect to take one, three-unit course during a second and/or subsequent work term provided that they have a strong academic and placement records and the course does not occur during work hours or interfere with work term responsibilities.
Work term Assessment
The mandatory work term courses, Co-operative Education 511.01, 511.02 and 511.03, and the additional course, Co-operative Education 511.04, are graded on a credit (CR) or fail (F) basis. A positive assessment requires satisfactory performance on each of the following items:
(a) The Co-operative Education Coordinators evaluation of job performance, which is based on an on-site visit where practical.
(b) The employer's evaluation of job performance.
(c) The student's self-assessment of job performance and the overall job experience, which is normally based on participation in a debriefing or integrative session.
(d) A work term report prepared by the student and evaluated by the Faculty.
Note: Upon the request of a student, the Faculty may approve registration in Co-operative Education 511.04 in conjunction with an extra (fourth) work term.