Faculty of Management

What is Co-op?

Co-op provides you with a chance to network with experienced professionals and gain career insight before graduation through paid, full-time work terms in your field of study.   Because Co-op is a learning experience that goes hand in hand with your academics, it is also a course that goes onto your transcripts.  The work place is the classroom, and there are assignments as homework. 

You can gain important employability skills while applying what you have studied in university to business settings. As a co-op student, you can make positive contributions to an organization through planned, supervised work terms.

Although there is a tuition fee your co-op work term course, the good news is that unlike many work study programs, co-ops are paid employment positions. Many students have received permanent employment offers upon graduation. Not surprisingly, a lot of co-op employers are former co-op students themselves.

What is an internship?

For the purposes of the Management Co-op Office, a "co-op" is a paid position, while an "internship" is an unpaid position.   At the present time, the only unpaid positions obtained through the Co-op Office are international positions.   Because of the difficulty of getting work permits in other countries, most work terms abroad are unpaid. 

Employers have their own definitions of what they refer to as "co-op" positions and "internships".  Some employers refer to temporary new grad positions or positions of 12 months or more as "internships".

How do I apply?

Application deadlines, costs, eligibility requirements, rules, and the application process including the application form are found here.

What is a work term?

A work term is a four-month period of full-time paid employment in a position utilizing an area of related studies in a particular management major. Each work term is treated as a non-credited, non-academic course graded on a pass/fail basis. When enrolled in a work term, you maintain full-time student status by enrolling in one of the following courses: Mgt 3002 (Work Experience I), Mgt 3003 (Work Experience II), Mgt 3004 (Work Experience III), Mgt 3005 (Work Experience IV), Mgt 3008 (Work Experience V) or Mgt 3009 (Work Experience VI).A co-op work term position ensures a meaningful experience that complements your education and broadens your skills. The primary objective is to provide you with a planned, supervised work experience that will enhance your academic learning and enhance employment marketability upon graduation.

When should I apply to Co-op?

Apply early! Because recruiting begins four to twelve months prior to the start date for a position, and time and effort are needed to prepare for the recruitment process, it is recommended that you apply to the co-op program early in your university studies as soon as you become eligible.Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they have been accepted at the University of Lethbridge.

Where are Co-op Jobs?

The Co-op Offices focuses job search mainly in Alberta, but co-op positions are recruited from other locations in Canada and internationally.  The current labour market generally dictates where jobs are found.

Can international students join Co-op?

All students who meet the Management Co-op criteria are welcome. We recommend you gain volunteer or work experience in Canada before applying for co-op positions.In addition to the mandatory career management process, international students must apply for and obtain a co-op work permit(at no cost) before they are able to apply to co-op jobs. Because this process can take several weeks, we recommend international students apply to the co-op program well in advance of when they wish to go on a work term.Students who are not Canadian citizens or landed immigrants are selected less frequently by employers. However, please note many international students successfully attain co-op positions posted through the co-op program, while others choose to pursue self-initiated co-op work terms.Visiting students are not eligible to participate in the co-op program.

Can I set up my own Co-op?

Positions that students find independently, but want to register as a co-op (self-initiated co-op) must be approved by the Co-operative Education Director prior to accepting offers.

Can I transfer a Co-op term from another institution?

You may apply to the co-op office to receive transfer credit for one (1) co-operative education course completed in an approved co-op program at another Canadian post-secondary institution.  Transfer credit for a previous co-op must be approved by the Co-operative Education Director at the time of application to the program.

What happens to my scholarships and/or loans while on a work term?

Students have interest free status on loans while on a work term because they are still considered full-time.  Students on work terms receive and are eligible for the same scholarships as they are during a regular semester.

Does my accounting co-op count towards the practical experience required by CASB?

See CASB website.

What does it take to be successful in Co-op?

Application to the co-op program means you have made the commitment to invest additional time and effort needed to be successful in co-op.In issuing invitations to join the program, Management Co-op encourages development of the “whole person” method also used by many leading corporate, public and professional organizations for success in the program. The whole person concept considers four key dimensions: academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service and employment experience.

Where do you find co-op jobs?

We acquire the majority of co-op opportunities when we actively seek out quality opportunities and employers. These employers then provide employment opportunity postings. You may locate co-op work term opportunities yourself with the assistance of the co-op office. Management Co-op reviews the content of all employment opportunities to ensure they have developmental focus. Co-op opportunities come from many sectors including energy, manufacturing, government, services, tourism, not-for-profit, small business, high-tech and public accounting firms.

How do employers select students?

Students apply to positions posted by Management Co-op by submitting their application as per the posting requirements. Management Co-op usually communicates with the employer on your behalf for decisions regarding interviews. Once interviews have taken place, the employer makes offers of employment.

When do work terms take place?

There are three work term periods: fall (Sept.-Dec.), spring (Jan.-April), and summer (May-Aug.). Hiring for these generally takes place one to four months in advance. The spring (Jan.-April) recruiting cycle is for work terms starting in May, the summer (May-Aug.) recruiting cycle is for work terms starting in September, and the fall (Sept.-Dec.) recruiting cycle is for work terms starting in January.

Can I get a summer job through co-op?

Management Co-op is more than just a source of summer employment. It requires a different type of commitment from students. Co-op is a career management strategy — an investment students make for the future. The benefits go far beyond simply getting a summer job.

What is the typical employment period?

A period of employment may be four, eight, 12, or in rare cases, 16 months in duration. Usually, periods of employment alternate with academic semesters, but this may not be the case when an employer prefers to link several work terms into a single extended period of employment. Many employers prefer eight-month periods of employment (two back-to-back four-month work terms). This preference for eight-month terms is because of a greater return on investment for the employer and more advanced learning for the student.

How are co-op work terms graded?

A universal practice in co-operative education at the university level is to grade non-credit work terms on a pass/fail basis. To pass Mgt 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3008 and/or 3009, you must complete work term requirements and receive a satisfactory performance appraisal from your employer.

What are the work term requirements?

Work term students are asked to submit a Work Term Agreement and contact information at the beginning of their work term.  During the term, students keep a monthly blog or submit a monthly Work Term Report.   A Work Term Learning Plan (goals and objectives), a site visit and attendance at a post-work term focus group are also required.

How do I fit Co-op into my program planning?

Work terms can be 4, 8, 12 or 16 months in duration during any of the semesters in a year.  There is no set work sequence for any of the majors.  In the four-year Bachelor of Management Program, students must complete a total of eight academic semesters and can complete up to six work terms (three to gain a co-op designation on their degree) in any sequence tbefore they graduate.Here are some examples of possible sequencing, although there are many combinations that might work:
Example #1:

Example #2:

Example #3:

Example #4:

Can I get academic credit for a work term?

Work terms do not count for academic credit. However, if you do three work terms (12 months) you receive the co-op designation on your Bachelor of Mangement degree.

Can I take other classes while on a work term?

If your co-op position is in Lethbridge, Calgary or Edmonton, you can take one course in addition to co-op.  However, you must get special permission from the Co-op Director and your work supervisor to register in more than one class in addition to co-op.  Some positions require out-of-town travel or training or overtime which would make attendance at courses difficult.

What is a co-op designation?

The co-op designation is an achievement that tells employers you are sufficiently prepared to enter the workplace with limited orientation. You are seen to be a proven commodity in the eyes of potential employers at graduation, significantly reducing the risk that comes with hiring an entry-level employee.Although you may complete up to 24 months of co-op through a variety of experiences, 12 months (three work terms) of co-op experience will earn the co-op designation. The co-op designation goes on your degree parchment and transcripts as “Bachelor of Management Co-op.”

How do I opt-out of Co-op?

Students who wish to withdraw voluntarily from the Co-op Program should submit in writing (email acceptable) the request for withdrawal.  Note: A student may not withdraw from the Co-op Program during a work term, if co-op interview results are pending or once an offer has been accepted with a co-op employer.