The Applied Science Co-operative Education Program provides workshops, coaching and support, including the employer job posting system to search and secure paid, program-monitored work experience, to Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism (B.Des.) students, directly related to their academic program. Through participation in the job search and work terms, co-op students gain valuable skills that can assist them with their academic program path while preparing for their post-degree career.
The program is an optional, year-round program that normally requires completion of a minimum of three work terms, including one work term in either of Term 1 or Term 2 of a Winter session. To obtain co-op degree designation students must continue to meet the co-op requirements, including academic requirements, and be eligible for advancement in their academic program. Students must end their degree program on an academic term. Work terms can be secured locally, nationally and/or internationally. The Co-op Program requires an additional year to complete Bachelor of Design requirements.
Students seeking admission to the Co-op program apply in September of Year 3. Specific application procedures and deadlines are available from the Co-op Program office. Students who wish to be considered for the program must meet all requirements for the Bachelor of Design and will be selected on the basis of academic performance, written and oral communication skills, and general suitability for the work environment. Admission to the Program is competitive and admittance cannot be guaranteed.
The total program enrolment is subject to the current state of the market as well as the resources available to support coaching and job development. Acceptance into the program does not guarantee students employment in each work term. Students who are accepted to the Co-op program are required to accept and comply with the Program’s Terms & Conditions and are required to pay the co-op administration and workshop fee (see Program and Course Fees) upon admission. Also, upon admission, students will be registered in and are required to satisfactorily complete APSC 107 – Introduction to Applied Science Co-op.
For each work term, students securing a confirmed position will be registered in the appropriate 3-credit co-op course and will be required to pay the co-op course fee (see Program and Course Fees) and related fees. Students are unable to withdraw from the co-op work term course without permission of the Co-op Program.
Co-op office representatives conduct student-employer work term check-ins via either phone, online, electronically, in-person, or a combination, during each work term, to assist in workplace learning, and provide career development advice.
In order to graduate with the co-operative education designation, a student must have satisfactorily completed three work terms, in addition to the normal academic requirements of the Bachelor of Design. Co-operative education course credits cannot be used in lieu of or to complement academic course credits required.
For more information please visit Applied Science Co-operative Education.