Co-operative Programs
General Information
Co-operative Programs are enrichment programs designed to integrate related practical experience with academic studies. All co-op programs are either Specialist or Major Programs and may be taken only as part of a four-year degree. Major co-op programs must be combined with another major program. Academic credits associated with the successful completion of work-term requirements are additional to the 20.0 normally required for a degree. For this reason, some co-op programs may take up to five years to complete.
No student may be enrolled in more than one co-op program. For a listing of co-op programs, the academic supervisors, and the sponsoring academic Department, see the Guide to Programs & Courses section of this Calendar.
Admission to Co-op Programs
In most cases, students may apply to enter co-op programs either directly from secondary school or after their first year of university studies.
Prospective Applicants:
For direct admission from secondary school or for students who wish to transfer to U of T Scarborough from another U of T faculty or from another post-secondary institution, applicants must indicate the special code for the program on the Application for Admission to an Ontario University. See the Admissions section of this Calendar for deadlines.
Once U of T is notified of the application, applicants are given information about documents required to support it. Co-op programs require a Supplementary Application available at the Admissions and Student Recruitment website:
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions Enrolment in co-op programs is limited. Admission is granted on the basis of applicants' academic performance and their interest, experience and potential ability. The Supplementary Application will indicate what information is required in addition to the academic record and it may include a statement of interest, information about volunteer and work experience and extracurricular activities.
In some cases, an interview may be conducted, either in person or by telephone.
Current U of T Scarborough Students:
For the minimum qualifications for consideration for entry into Co-op Programs following First Year, see the individual co-op program entries elsewhere in this
Calendar. Application procedures can be found at the Registrar's Office website:
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/subjectpostFees
Every student in a co-op program is required to pay co-op fees as established by the University. The co-op fees relate to the additional costs associated with the administration of work terms and are calculated in accordance with Ministry of Education and University of Toronto policies. However, no tuition fees are charged when registering for the work-term credit courses, nor are there any additional fees associated with the required non-credit co-op work term preparation course. If a student leaves the program for any reason, co-op fees paid in earlier sessions are not refundable.
Program Requirements
Co-op programs require at least eight four-month terms of full-time study, and the satisfactory completion of two or three four-month work terms, as specified by the particular program. Students who successfully complete all the requirements associated with a work-term are awarded 0.5 credit, these credits being additional to the 20.0 normally required for the degree. Work terms are evaluated by program faculty, the Co-op Office, and the employer, and a grade of CR (credit)/NCR (no credit) is recorded on the transcript.
To maintain good standing in a co-op program, to be eligible for a work term, and to receive certification for its completion on graduation, a student must:
- Meet all of the normal requirements for the Honours B.A., B.Sc. or B.B.A. degree;
- Follow the course of studies described for the specific program;
- Complete the non-credit co-op work term preparation course and any other prerequisites for the work term as required by the specific program;
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.50 (note that this is higher than the CGPA of 1.60 required for good standing in regular non-co-op programs);
- Receive a satisfactory evaluation for work term performance and work term reports;
- Register as a full-time student during study terms (i.e., a course load in each study term of at least 1.5 full credits and normally 2.5);
- Return to studies after each work term;
- Remit co-op fees as assessed by the University.
For additional information about any requirements specific to a particular program, see the program description in this Calendar.
Status in Co-op Programs
- Status in a co-op program will be determined at the end of each session (Fall, Winter, and Summer) for students who have attempted at least three full credits since beginning their studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough or in other arts and science divisions of the University.
- Students who have attempted at least three full credits and have a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of less than 2.50 but of 2.30 or more are placed on probation in the co-op program (i.e., they remain in the program subject to certain conditions). Students may clear probation by achieving a CGPA of 2.50 or better in the next study session.
- Students may continue on probation by achieving a sessional GPA of at least 2.50 in the next session. Students must clear their probation within two study sessions in order to remain in a co-op program.
- Students on probation in the co-op program may not apply for a work term until they have successfully cleared their probation. However, if a student's CGPA falls below 2.50 after having secured a job placement through the placement process, the student will be permitted to complete the work term; such a student will be permitted to participate in the next recruitment process only after successfully clearing probation.
- Students who have attempted at least three full credits and have a CGPA of less than 2.30, or who have failed to clear probation within two study sessions, will be removed from the co-op program.
Introduction to Co-op Work Term Preparation Course
During their first year of enrolment in a co-op program, students will participate in a non-credit co-op work term preparation course designed to prepare them for their work term experience and to maximize the benefits to be obtained from the associated learning opportunities. The tutorial will cover a variety of topics to help students develop the skills and tools needed to secure work placements appropriate to their program of study, and to perform professionally in the workplace. Satisfactory participation in this preparation course is required before students may go on work terms. No academic credit is given for the course and no fee is charged. For the name of the course appropriate to each program, see the relevant program description.
Work Terms
Work terms are an integral part of the co-op program curriculum. Practical work experience in an approved setting is undertaken to enhance academic studies through the opportunity to apply and develop concepts and/or skills that are important in the academic programs. Work term opportunities are arranged by the Co-op Office for the program, but must be won by students in competition with all applicants for the position. While on a work term, students remain in contact with the University, and prepare for the submission of a work-term report for evaluation by a faculty member. In addition, both the employer and the coordinator for the program will evaluate the student's performance on work terms. The work-term report must be submitted no later than the end of the second week of the study term immediately following the completion of the work term. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a grade of NCR (no credit) for the work term. A failed work term will be recorded on the transcript, and the student will be removed from the co-op program.
Work terms normally begin in September, January, or May, and students are normally eligible for a work placement after three or four academic terms of full-time study, as specified for individual programs. To be eligible for the first work term, students must be in good standing in the program (see above, under Program Requirements) and have completed any other requirements specified by the particular program. To be eligible for later work terms, students must be in good standing in the program, have completed any requirements specific to the program, and have received a grade of CR (credit) on their earlier work term(s).
Course Requirements
For the courses required, see the Calendar entry for each specific program.
