http://upei.ca/co-op

The UPEI Co-op Program is an integrated approach to university education which enables students to alternate academic terms on campus with work terms in suitable employment. The success of such programs is founded on the principle that students are able to apply theoretical knowledge from course studies in the workplace and return to the classroom with practical workplace experience. Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will have the notation entered on their transcripts and on the graduation parchment.

ACADEMIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Academic course requirements for the Co-operative Education designation are as follows: COOP 2210, COOP 3210, COOP 4210 are required, three semester hour credit granting work terms (these replace three general electives); and COOP 5210 is an optional work term with no semester hours of credit awarded. Each of the first three work terms are preceded by a required, non-credit career skills course (COOP 2110/COOP 2120, COOP 3110, and COOP 4110), which prepares students for their job search and readies them for the workplace.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applications to the Co-operative Education Program are normally made after the first year of study. Special application cases may be considered. The applicant must be a full time student in either the Arts, Business or Science faculty, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 in the required program courses and have completed all first year required courses.  Students will be admitted to the program based on their interest, aptitude and assessed ability, to combine successfully the academic requirements with the work term requirements of the given program. Students not admitted may reapply at the next opportunity.

CONTINUANCE REQUIREMENTS

Once admitted to the program, students must continue in full-time enrolment between work terms and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.7.  An academic review of students’ performance will take place at the end of each semester.  It is also required that students achieve satisfactory performance on previous work terms, as outlined below in Program Requirements. Students who fail to meet these standards or who fail a course(s) will be placed “on notice” for the next academic semester. Students who do not meet these standards for two consecutive academic semesters may be dismissed from the program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The University will make every effort to locate work term positions for co-op students in suitable areas of employment, but cannot guarantee work terms. Satisfactory fulfillment of the program includes:

1. The completion of a minimum of three work terms, in approved, academically-related, paid employment situations of 14 to 16 weeks duration;

2.  The completion of three professional development course sections (Career Skills 1, 2 & 3);

3. A satisfactory employer evaluation for each co-op work term;

4. The satisfactory completion of all work term assignments during work terms;

WITHDRAWAL CONDITIONS

Students may be required to withdraw from the UPEI Co-op Program if:

1. They are dismissed from, discontinue, or fail an approved co-op work term position due to a fault on their part;

2.  They fail to complete the necessary professional development courses;

3. They fail to submit or successfully complete the work term assignments;

4. They do not satisfy the continuance requirements including the required cumulative grade point average necessary for continuance in the UPEI Co-op Program;

5. In the judgement of the Co-operative Education Coordinator and/or applicable Academic Director, they are no longer suited for the particular requirements of the Co-operative Education Program.

WORK TERM REGISTRATION

Students are required to register for all professional development courses and work terms by following typical registration processes. The professional development courses and work terms will officially be designated on students’ transcripts as pass or fail.

CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION COURSES

2110 CAREER SKILLS I – PART I
This course offers introductory career skills training to prepare Co-op students for their first work term. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  Acceptance into the co-op program
0 credit hours

2120 CAREER SKILLS I – PART 2
This course offers introductory career skills training to prepare Co-op students for their first work term. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  Acceptance into the co-op program
0 credit hours

2210 WORK TERM I
This course is Co-op students’ first work term.  This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  COOP 2110 and COOP 2120
3 credit hours

3110 CAREER SKILLS II
This course offers career skills training to strengthen Co-op students’ readiness for their second work term. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  COOP 2210 or permission of the applicable Academic Director of Co-operative Education.
0 credit hours

3210 WORK TERM II
This course is Co-op students’ second work term.  This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  COOP 3110 or permission of the applicable Academic Director of Co-operative Education.
3 credit hours

4110 CAREER SKILLS III
This course offers career skills training to strengthen Co-op students’ readiness for their third work term. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  COOP 3210 or permission of the applicable Academic Director of Co-operative Education.
0 credit hours

4210 WORK TERM III
This course is Co-op students’ third work term.  This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
PREREQUISITE:  COOP 4110 or permission of the applicable Academic Director of Co-operative Education.
3 credit hours

5210 WORK TERM IV
This optional course is available to students who elect to complete a fourth work term.
PREREQUISITE:  COOP 4210
0 credit hours