Co-operative Education (Co-op) formally integrates academic studies with paid, full-time work experiences at host employer organizations. The Co-op Office is responsible for coordinating Co-op work experiences. All students wishing to choose the Co-op option must first declare into an eligible Co-op program then enroll in COOP 1101. Seats for COOP 1101 are limited and available to students in a declared Co-op option on a first-come, first-served basis during the registration period. Students completing all the requirements of a Co-op program will receive a Co-operative Education designation on their credential and transcript. Students in Co-op programs are required to pay designated Co-operative Education tuition fees (see Tuition & Fees). For more information about KPU Co-op programs and services, refer to the KPU Co-op website.

KPU Co-op programs have received accreditation from Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, which provides recognition and an affirmation that KPU Co-op programs comply with national standards and guidelines. KPU offers Co-operative Education options within the programs listed below. For more information, refer to the specific program section of the Calendar and the course descriptions.

• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting 
• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resources Management
• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology (also Honours)
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management
• Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology (also Honours)
• Bachelor of Science, Major in Health Science (also Honours)
• Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology
• Diploma in Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Specialization in Architectural and Mechanical
• Diploma in Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Specialization in Architectural and Structural
• Diploma in Computer Information Systems
• Diploma in Marketing Management
• Diploma in Public Relations
• Diploma of Technology in Environmental Protection

General Co-Operative Education Requirements

Declaration Requirements

Co-operative Education is optional and selective. Students wishing to choose the Co-op option must formally declare a change of their program status to include a "Co-op Option". Once declared, students will be eligible to register in COOP 1101 and participate in work terms. In order to declare, students must meet the Declaration Requirements for the program, and directly contact the Co-op office to complete the declaration.

Work Term and Continuance Requirements

For students with a declared Co-op option, ongoing requirements must be maintained in order to continue in the program. Specific Continuance Requirements are stated in the Co-operative Education section of each program. Failure to fulfill Co-op Continuance Requirements may result in the student being removed from the Co-op option of their program.

Work terms consist of a minimum of 420 hours of work per work term. These hours plus confirmed satisfactory competency assessment reports during the work term from their employer(s) indicate mastery of a work term semester.

Please note that the Co-op office attempts to secure relevant work-learning opportunities for all qualified Co-op students, however employers follow normal hiring practices. As a result, KPU cannot guarantee that a student will be selected for a Co-op work term.

Registration

Registration for a Co-op work term must be completed prior to the start of a work term. Extension of a Co-op work term to subsequent semesters or returning for an additional work term with a previous Co-op employer requires registration in the appropriate work term course. The University reserves the right to register a student placed in a work term if the student fails to do so.

Completion Requirements

Please note that for Co-op options, students must complete their program on an academic term, not a work term. Also, credits for Co-op work term courses may only be used to satisfy graduation requirements for the Co-op option of the Diploma and Degree programs. These credits do not contribute to the overall required academic credits for non-Co-op programs.

Delaying a Work Term

Students who have completed COOP 1101 cannot delay more than two consecutive semesters when eligible for seeking a work term. Students who delay more than two consecutive semesters may be removed from the Co-op option of their program.

Student Conduct

Co-op students may be removed from the Co-op option of their program if currently facing student misconduct issues as identified through the Student Rights & Responsibilities Office.

Exit Requirements

Students wishing to exit the Co-op option of their program must contact the Co-op office to provide notification of their change of status.

Students completing all the requirements of a Co-op program will receive a Co-operative Education designation on their credential and transcript.

Transferability of Work Terms

Work terms successfully completed (i.e. noted on transcript) in any approved BC post-secondary Co-op program shall be considered for transfer by the accepting institution using the regular transfer credit process.

The acceptance of a student for transfer into another institution having a Co-op program does not guarantee acceptance into the Co-op program at that institution. An institution may still require that the transfer student complete additional work terms as part of his/her new program of study.

For More Information

Phone: 604.599.2465
Email: co-op@kpu.ca
Website: kpu.ca/coop