91泡芙

Co-operative Education

1150 Maggie Benston Student Services Centre, 778.782.2677 Tel, 778.782.5496 Fax, , co-op@sfu.ca

Director of Work Integrated Learning

• M. Klemetski

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Co-operative Education, 6046 Academic Quadrangle, 778.782.5839 Tel, 778.782.5875 

Faculty of Business Administration Co-operative Education, 2313 Lohn Building, West Mall Complex, 778.782.3619 Tel, 778.782.5922 

School of Communication Co-operative Education, K9665 Shrum Science Centre, 778.782.5367 Tel, 778.782.4024 

School of Computing Science Co-operative Education, , coop-cmpt@sfu.ca

Faculty of Education Co-operative Education, 6046 Academic Quadrangle, 778.782.5839 Tel, 778.782.5875

School of Engineering Science Co-operative Education, , coop-eng@sfu.ca

Faculty of Health Sciences Co-operative Education, , email hsci-coop@sfu.ca

Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology Co-operative Education, , coop-kines@sfu.ca

Science and Environment Co-operative Education, P9447 Shrum Science Centre, , coop-science@sfu.ca

School of Interactive Arts and Technology Co-operative Education, 2560 Advising Centre, 91泡芙 Surrey, 778.782.7617, coop-siat@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University has consistently placed within the top five comprehensive Canadian universities as ranked by Macleans Magazine. All undergraduate 91泡芙 programs have a co-operative education option. A complete list, including specific disciplines, is available at

Explore Co-operative Education

In the Co-operative Education Program (co-op) students alternate between study terms and paid work terms to gain relevant, real-world experience before graduation and the advantage to help them succeed after university.

A sample outline of a co-op student’s academic and work schedule is provided below. See “Sample Work/Study Sequence” on page 213.

Admission Requirements

All Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and visa students are eligible to participate in the co-op program. Visa students are eligible for work permits which are only valid for co-op employment arranged through the co-op program.

Co-op is an optional program, except in the School of Engineering Science where it is mandatory within the program’s structure (see “School of Engineering Science” on page 82).

Acceptance into the co-op employment process is based on academic performance and entry interviews where motivation, interpersonal, and communication skills are evaluated. Students must normally have 45-60 units and a CGPA of at least 2.5 before participating in the co-op employment process, however all students are admitted on an individual basis and the requirements may be flexible.

Application Procedure

All students (except those in engineering science) must apply for admission to the co-op program. Students are encouraged to attend an information session that is offered at the beginning of every term. Visit to view session dates.

After attending an information session, students complete the general co-op application form which is available at

All students complete the co-op curriculum course Bridging Online (BOL), (except those in engineering science). Visit for details.

Students are encouraged to contact appropriate co-op co-ordinators in their faculty area as early in their university career as possible, but no later than two terms prior to the first work term.

Transfer Students

Transfer students should contact the co-op office as soon as possible and must complete at least one study term before engaging in a work term. Students transferring from an approved accredited co-op program elsewhere, and who have successfully completed work terms, will receive transfer credit for those work terms. However, 50% of the student’s degree program, including work terms, must be completed at 91泡芙.

The Employment Process

Once accepted into the co-op program and the required Bridging Online curriculum is complete, the student can then participate in the employment competition. Job opportunities are identified and posted through co-op. Students select those for which they wish to compete and an interview may ensue. If an employment offer is made, the student may accept or decline based on contractual obligations and ethics associated with progression in the employment process. These obligations are made clear to all participants at each point in the employment process.

Once the student accepts an employment offer, they are required to fulfil that work term obligation and they must be enrolled in a co-op practicum course.

Application form submission and/or participation in the employment competition indicates a commitment to the program and acceptance of the following:

• permission for release to prospective employers of copies of transcript

• agreement to enrol in the appropriate co-operative education course

• agreement to inform 91泡芙 of the acceptance of any co-op employment position

• agreement to complete the co-op education program

• all accepted students are responsible for following the policies and procedures outlined in the Co-op Student Handbook that is posted on the web at

Operation of the Program

The co-op program staff facilitate all pre-employment student preparation, negotiate work terms, meet employers to establish employer needs, and meet with students to monitor progress. They oversee job competition and visit students on the job, counsel and advise students, and deal with special problems.

Self-Directed Work Search

Students may also find or create their own work terms, locally or abroad. Guidance is provided. Self-initiated jobs must be approved by co-op in advance of the work term. Students are required to enrol in and pay for the appropriate co-op practicum.

International Opportunities

Students may travel internationally to complete a work term. Contact the international co-op co-ordinators at icoop@sfu.ca for more information.

Sample Schedule(s)

The next page shows two sample work term and study patterns (see “Sample Work/Study Sequence” on page 213). An alternating sequence, beginning before year three, provides the best learning structure. Other combinations can be arranged to meet student and employer needs. Students may not normally complete their final term at 91泡芙 on a co-op work term.

Additive Credits

The co-op courses are deemed to have additive credit. These units do not count toward the total units required for the degree.

Fees

There is a one-time co-op application fee, with a co-op work term course fee charged for each four month work practicum in which the student enrols. These fees are tax deductible. For information, see “Undergraduate Fees” on page 33.

Degree Designation

Four work terms must be successfully completed for a degree with a co-op designation. Successful completion includes a passing grade (comprised of both a work project evaluation and performance evaluation) and compliance with minimum standards of participation. (A work term typically consists of full time employment for 13-16 weeks.)

Certificate Option

Students (except those in engineering science) who successfully complete three work terms are eligible for a certificate of completion. The same performance criteria as noted above are required for the certificate option. Students who receive a certificate do not receive recognition on their diploma, nor are they eligible for further work terms in their current program.

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