Co-operative Education

Co-operative education (co-op) is a type of experiential learning that combines academic studies with formal work experiences with approved employers. Co-op provides students with structured work experiences that promote career exploration, expand employer contacts, and apply in-class teachings to real-work situations.

Co-op students’ alternate periods of work experience in career-related fields with times of academic study according to the following criteria:

• Each work experience is approved by the college as a suitable learning environment.
• The co-op student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing.
• The co-op student receives compensation for the work performed.
• The co-op student's progress on the job is monitored by the college.
• The co-op student's performance on the job is supervised and assessed by the student's employer.
• The time spent in periods of work experience must be at least 30 per cent of the time spent in academic study and no more than 75 per cent.

Co-op internships are designed to provide students with in-depth exposure to one employer. At this time, two programs offer this option, which includes four consecutive work terms scheduled to take place between academic semesters four and five.

Students interested in securing a co-op-internship position must first be accepted into the co-op option of their program. Once a co-op student accepts a college-approved internship, they will be considered an intern.

A work term allows students to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom in a workplace after the final semester of their program. This option is currently available in 10 graduate certificate programs. Students who successfully complete the work term requirements will have the work term acknowledged on their academic transcript.

The following chart indicates which DC programs provide co-ops and work terms.

Students enrolled at Durham College (DC) who are eligible for a co-op or work term will be sent application instructions to their DCMail accounts throughout the semester when applications open. Additional information will also be shared by their faculty at Faculty Welcome and at Co-op Info Sessions hosted by the Experiential Learning Hub team.

Important reminders:

• No student is automatically enrolled in the co-op or work term option of their program, they must apply to be considered.
• There is no application fee for the co-op or work term option.
• Entrance into the co-op and work term option is limited within each program.
• Students must maintain their academic eligibility after being accepted for a work term.
• Securing work term employment is competitive.

Check out the eligible programs for more details on the timing of applications and work terms.