Co-operative Education
For full details on Co-op opportunities visit: http://arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
Co-op Opportunities are offered in all Department of Communication and Culture programs.
What is Co-op?
Co-op is an academic program that integrates university study with relevant work experience. In Co-op, students alternate academic terms with up to four paid work terms. Each work term is approximately four months in duration and is counted for academic credit on your transcripts. By graduation, a Co-op student will have 12-16 months of paid, degree-related work experience and a Co-op designation on their degree. This is very attractive to potential employers.
Co-op is available to all Communication and Culture students with a declared major including Canadian Studies; Communications Studies; Development Studies; Film Studies; Law and Society; Science, Technology and Society; Women's Studies
Benefits of Co-op
- Get a head start on your career and develop valuable marketable skills.
- Complement your education by applying real world knowledge to the classroom.
- Build confidence and contribute to worthwhile projects.
- Explore and clarify your career goals through different jobs and work environments.
- Network and establish important employer and business contacts.
- Learn job search strategies including interviewing and resume writing.
- Earn money and reduce or eliminate student loans.
- Aligns with University goal of experiential learning.
- Listed as one of the top ten experiences employers look for when hiring new graduate.
What kinds of jobs do students get?
Co-op opportunities are varied and diverse. Examples of positions or job areas are:
Communications Studies Science, Technology and Society
Internal/External Communications Information Technology
Technical Writing Research
Event Planning Pharmaceutical Innovation
Public Relations Public Policy
Marketing/Promotions Medicine / Health Care
Facilitation/Teaching Communications
Film Studies
Art/Design and Media
Communications
Tourism/Marketing
Graphic Design
Arts & Culture
Film & TV
Integrating work and study
Work terms can be four or eight months in length. To graduate with Co-op, a minimum of 3 work terms must be completed. The following is an example of a Co-op sequence:
Summer | Fall | Winter |
Academic | Academic | Academic |
Work | Work | Academic |
Academic | Work | Academic |
Academic | Academic | Academic |
At least one work term needs to be completed in a fall or winter semester. The sequence of works terms with academic terms is a flexible. While on academic terms, students must be enrolled full time and be taking a minimum of 3 course credits.
What are the prerequisites?
By the commencement of their first placement, students must have completed a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 14.0 full-course equivalents. For degrees with a Major Field, at least 2.5 full-course equivalents in the Major must be completed prior to the first placement. For multidisciplinary degrees without a Major Field, General Studies 300 and 1.0 full-course equivalents in the Minor Field must have been completed. The minimum GPA requirement is 2.7 for the last 5 full course equivalents (FCE).
Major-specific courses:
Communications Studies | One of Communications Studies 361, 363, or 369, and at least one full-course equivalent from Communications Studies courses at the 300 level or above (including General Studies 313) |
Film Studies | 1.5 full-course equivalents of courses labeled Film or Canadian Studies 331, 341 or 421 |
Science, Technology and Society | 1 full-course equivalent from STAS 325, STAS 327, STAS341, and STAS 343 |
Note: Regardless of your major, it is highly advantageous to include COMS 363 (Professional and Technical Communication) and one course in research methods (COMS 451 or GNST 313) in your program.
How to apply
Application deadlines are December 1 and May 1. Ideally students apply in their second year of University but later sequences can be accommodated.
- Enter the Department of Communication and Culture and declare a Major
- Review the GPA and course requirements specific for each major.
- Meet with your Co-op Coordinator or Faculty Representative if needed
- Complete the online Co-op Application form or you can obtain a paper copy from the wesbite or in person at the Faculty of Arts Program Information Center located in SS110.
What happens next?
Your application will be reviewed by the Faculty and successful applicants will be advised of their admission into the program. Acceptance letters will be emailed to students.
- Pay a $50 Co-op Admission Fee
- Attend Pre-Employment Training Workshops
- Meet with Co-op Coordinator to review resume and cover letter
- Gain access to job postings, begin applying for jobs
- Maintain contact with your Co-op Coordinator
STUDENT FORMS FOR CO-OP
Empolyers for Co-op
Thank you for supporting the Co-op Program You can find information about Empolers and Co-op through our Employers Section of the website: http://arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/employers.
Student Responsibilities
Co-op work terms are registered as academic courses and students are required to pay a course fee for them. Course fees are applied to the first three work terms only. There is no fee for subsequent work terms (see Calendar for Co-op fees). Co-op students compete with others for jobs. The most successful students are those who are active and flexible in their job search. Students are encouraged to develop their own opportunities. Work placements are not guaranteed.
Testimonials
"I joined the Co-op program late in my degree with only two academic semesters left to complete.
I didn't know exactly what to expect - all I knew was that I was really unsure of both my career path
and my skill set. So far - I've loved it! I go to work every day with real, experienced professionals who
have years of knowledge to pass on. I work in different areas of each company I'm with, gaining a great variety of industry experience while honing my skills in specific fields. I've already been able to nail down what I'm good at, and where I want to end up. I recommend the Co-op program for anyone who needs a boost in their degree. Whether you're trying to figure out where your future is headed, or you want to get one step closer to getting there, work experience is always worth the time."
~Sarah Stone, BA Communications Studies, Co-op Graduate.
"The Co-op program is one of the best components to my degree. Not only have I gained valuable work experience in the areas of my studies, but I get to utilize things I have learned from my classes in a practical setting. The different work terms are a great way to help me narrow down the areas of work I would like to focus on with my degree. Furthermore, the program has given me very useful career management skills and it is something that will put me one step a head of other job seekers."
~ Gladys Loo, Development Studies major
Contact Information
Co-op Coordinator, Faculty of Arts
Co-op Coordinator, Faculty of Arts