Students gain work experience while studying at Douglas College. The Co-operative (Co-op) Education program alternates semesters of classroom studies with paid, full-time work related to your program.
Students
Application prerequisites – GPA of 2.33, enrolled in a Co-op eligible program.
Step 1: Co-op Prep Term
- Upload a valid study permit to your CareerHUB account
- Attend mandatory workshops
- Complete all required assignments
- Participate in a final evaluation appointment
Step 2: Co-op Seeking Term
- Apply to eligible Co-op positions each week
- Attend mandatory Co-op events
- Receive ongoing guidance from your assigned Co-op Career Advisor
Step 3: Co-op Work Term
- You will pause your studies for one or more semesters to complete a full-time, paid work experience related to your field of study.
Step 4: Return to Studies
For more information, check the Co-op Program page on CareerHUB, attend an information session or book an appointment (1a) with a Career Advisor.
Programs Offering Co-op
- Accounting - Diploma
- Computing Science - Diploma
- Computing Studies and Information Systems - Diploma
- Commerce and Business Administration - Diploma
- Criminology - Diploma
- Financial Services - Diploma
- Geological Resources - Diploma
- General Business - Diploma
- Legal Studies -Diploma
- Management - Diploma
- Marketing Management - Diploma
- Sport Science - Diploma
- Bachelor of Arts - Criminology
- Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Financial Services
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, all concentrations
- Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching
- Bachelor of Science - Health Information Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting and Finance
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Advanced Human Resources Management
- Post Baccalaureate Diploma Advanced Supply Chain Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Computer and Information Systems
- Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Project Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Finance
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Information Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in International Supply Chain Management
- All Associate of Arts Degrees
- All Associate of Science Degrees
- Engineering and Fabrication Technologies
- Veterinary Technology
Note for Students
Domestic students or international students with a CWP may combine Co-op Prep and Seeking into one term. They must receive approval from a Career Advisor after a review of their resume, cover letter and interview skills practice, as well as their attendance at the Transition to Co-op Seeking workshop.
All Co-op students must sign a contract that binds them to the College’s Terms and Conditions as “ambassadors” of the College. All Co‑op students are expected to represent the College with professionalism and to the best of their abilities.
Employers
Gain access to a year-round supply of well-trained and highly motivated temporary employees for special projects, peak periods, or staff leaves.
Step 1: Submit your job posting to co-op@douglascollege.ca.
Step 2: Interview and select a candidate.
Step 3: Provide an offer letter.
Step 4: Prepare for your Co-op student (e.g. assign a designated supervisor).
Step 5: Connect with the Faculty Advisor and student to confirm the Learning Objectives within the first 2 weeks of the Co-op Work Term.
Step 6: Mid-point site visit with the Faculty Advisor, Co-op Career Advisor and Co-op student.
Step 7: Complete a final evaluation for the Co-op student.
Note for Employers
Co-op students are required to complete a minimum of 420 work hours.
Contact Co-operative Education at co-op@douglascollege.ca for more information.
Co-operative education FAQ
In most cases, students apply for employment opportunities posted on Career Hub, and the Co-op office forwards the portfolios of qualified students to employers and arranges the interviews. Employers make the final hiring decision, often in consultation with the Co-op office. Students are also encouraged to discover or create their own employment work opportunities.
Nine credits are awarded for each work term successfully completed. Co-op credits are additive. They cannot be used to meet regular academic course requirements needed to complete your program.
Yes. Co-op fees are based on the College’s current fee schedule. Payment is made only when a work term is secured. The fee structure is different for international students; please contact the Co-op office for details.
Co-op students are required to take a minimum of nine credits in each study semester and to maintain a GPA of 2.33 (C+). You must also have completed a minimum of 18 credits in your program. In addition to academic performance, students are selected on the basis of maturity, motivation, adaptability and prior work experience.
A Co-op work term (4 months) must be a minimum of 420 hours completed in a 12-16 week work term. Often employers will hire Co-op students for two work terms (8 months) back to back. While the sequence may vary, work terms are normally scheduled after completion of the second or third semester of your academic program. Students generally do not attend courses while in their Co-op work term, though there are exceptions. Please note: You must return to your studies after you complete your Co-op work term; a Co-op work term is not eligible for your last semester.
Co-op is an educational program, not a placement service. The Co-op office will do its utmost to help you to secure a suitable work term. Your success will depend on current market demands, your particular skills and experience and your ability to sell yourself in an interview with the employer.
Co-op students must attend all mandatory prerequisite seminars, complete all assignments, play an active role in the job search process, complete projects or reports assigned by faculty advisors during the work term, and conduct themselves appropriately on the job, as representatives of Douglas College. A student handbook detailing Co-op program policies and procedures is available from the Co-op office and on our website.
Rates of pay are determined by the employer. We recommend to employers they pay students in accordance with their organization’s regular pay scale and based on job duties and level of responsibility. Wages normally range from $18-$22 per hour or higher. Wages, benefits and working conditions vary.
If you already have a job related to your studies and would like to use it for Co-op credits, discuss with your employer and have them contact the Co-op office. Or talk to us, and we will contact the employer on your behalf.
On-the-job performance is monitored and evaluated by both your work supervisor and Co-op faculty advisor. Evaluation criteria includes your contribution to the employer's business, your ability to communicate, negotiate and deliver performance objectives; and your perceived development in terms of employer-valued abilities. A formal work term report or other project is also required for each work term. Co-op work terms are graded as "Mastery" (pass) or "Non Mastery" (fail).
- Accounting - Diploma
- Bachelor of Arts – Criminology
- Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Financial Services
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, all concentrations
- Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching
- Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
- Computing Science - Diploma
- Computing Studies and Information Systems - Diploma
- Commerce and Business Administration - Diploma
- Criminology - Diploma
- Engineering and Fabrication Technologies
- Financial Services - Diploma
- Geological Resources - Diploma
- General Business - Diploma
- Legal Studies -Diploma
- Management - Diploma
- Marketing Management - Diploma
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting and Finance
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Advanced Human Resources Management
- Post Baccalaureate Diploma Advanced Supply Chain Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Computer and Information Systems
- Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Finance
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Information Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in International Supply Chain Management
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Project Management
- Sport Science - Diploma
- All Associate of Arts Degrees
- All Associate of Science Degrees
- Veterinary Technology