The Co-operative Work/Study Program formally integrates a student's academic study with paid work experience, allowing students to participate in one or two work terms before completing their final academic term of the PhD program. Students placed with employers have the chance to work full time at professional-level or near professional-level duties, supervised by the Program and by qualified staff of the participating institution. On-the-job learning applies, enriches, and extends what is learned in course work. Most co-op positions are outside the London area, generally in Ottawa and Toronto, though positions have ranged as far afield as the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland. The number of places in the Co-op program depends on the number of positions made available by cooperating libraries and other organizations. Both public and private sector organizations participate.
Work terms last a minimum of fourteen weeks, a period which corresponds to the academic term. Co-op work terms do not reduce the number of courses a student must take to complete the PhD program and accordingly extend the time required to complete the academic program. For PhD students, the timing of the Co-op terms is flexible but must take account of the maximum registration period.
PhD students may apply for co-op positions while enrolled in the PhD program. They must have at least a 78% average in their courses, and must not have any outstanding incomplete academic requirements. Those applying for a second Co-op term must have completed their first Co-op term successfully. Since participation in the Co-operative Work/Study Program is a privilege rather than a right, only students who meet and maintain the required qualifications, who demonstrate professional readiness (i.e. appropriate skills and professional behaviour) and adhere to the procedures and regulations of the program may participate. The decision not to allow a student to participate in Co-op is made by the Associate Dean and is not appealable.
Co-op work terms appear on transcripts as course 682 (first work term) or course 683 (second work term) with the designation EXTRA and are graded by the Manager of Graduate Student Services, with input from the employer, on a pass/fail basis. A Co-op work term is the equivalent of a part-time term for meeting the maximum registration period for the PhD degree. Co-op students are considered to be part-time students, but for each work term they pay a Co-op placement fee, rather than a part-time graduate student fee. Students who wish to enrol in courses for credit during their Co-op work term will also be required to pay the applicable tuition fee in addition to the Co-op placement fee. Students may be enrolled in a maximum of two courses while on Co-op. Students interested in participating in the Co-op program should attend the information meeting held early each term.
Students interested in Co-op are participating in a competitive employment process. Co-op is not a “placement agency.” Students must be prepared to re-locate anywhere in Canada and must be prepared to work in public or private sectors of the economy. All students interested in Co-op must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Co-op rewards include employment in your chosen profession; competitive pay rates; development of communication, time management and interview skills; contacts in the profession, and the opportunity to live and work in another part of Canada.