The UPEI Co-op Program is an integrated approach to university education which enables students to alternate academic terms on campus with work terms in suitable employment. The success of such programs is founded on the principle that students are able to apply theoretical knowledge from course studies in the workplace and return to the classroom with practical workplace experience. Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will have the notation entered on their transcripts and on the graduation parchment.
Co-op Program Website
Academic Course Requirements
Please refer to the Physics, Computer Science, or Business Programs for specific academic course requirements.
Admission Requirements
- Early entrance stream
The early entrance stream is an option available to students applying to UPEI or enrolled in their first year of study at the institution. Students must meet the standard application and admission requirements indicated in the UPEI Calendar and, in addition, the applicant must indicate the specific co-operative education program that they are applying to. After students are accepted into the program, students must pay the acceptance fee before they will be formally considered a Co-op student. Students who satisfy the above requirements will be admitted to the program with probationary status. During this probationary period, students will receive career counseling, and will be eligible to participate in professional workshop sessions and networking events. Students will normally be eligible to apply for work terms after completing two years of study; however, special cases will be considered. Before students are eligible to apply for work terms, they must receive formal acceptance into the program by the Director of the program. To apply for formal acceptance, a student must submit a transcript and curriculum vitae to the Director. Students will be admitted into the program based on their interest, aptitude and assessed ability, to combine successfully the academic requirements with the special work term requirements of the given program. Students not admitted may reapply at the next opportunity.
- Standard entrance stream
Applications under the standard entrance stream are normally made during the second year of study. Special application cases will be considered. The applicant must be a full-time student at the time of application and must normally have a cumulative average of at least 70% in the required program courses. Students will be admitted to the program based on their interest, aptitude and assessed ability, to combine successfully the academic requirements with the special work term requirements of the given program. Students not admitted may reapply at the next opportunity.
Continuance Requirements
Once admitted to the program, students must continue in full-time enrollment between work terms. An academic review of students’ performance will take place at the end of each semester. Please refer to the course grade average requirements of the Physics, Computer Science, and Business programs. It is also required that students achieve satisfactory performance on previous work terms, as outlined below in Program Requirements. Students who fail to meet these standards or who fail a course(s) will be placed “on notice” for the next academic semester. Students who do not meet these standards for two consecutive academic semesters may be dismissed from the program.
>>>top
Work Term Requirements
The University will make every effort to locate work term positions for co-op students in suitable areas of employment, but cannot guarantee work terms. See the individual programs for any special situations.
Satisfactory fulfillment of a co-op work terms includes:
- The completion of a minimum of work terms, as established by the specific Department/School program in approved, academically-related, paid employment situations of 12 to 16 weeks duration;
- A satisfactory employer evaluation for each co-op work term;
- The satisfactory completion of a written report at the end of the work term;
- Fulfilment of other requirements specified by the Department/School, such as the participation in seminars and workshops.
Students are required to apply by early December for a first work term starting in May of the following year, or in early April for a first work term starting the following January. A notation will be placed on students’ academic transcripts following completion of each work term.
Withdrawal Conditions
Students may be required to withdraw from the UPEI Co-op Program if:
- They are dismissed from, discontinue, or fail an approved co-op work term position due to a fault on their part;
- They fail to submit or successfully complete a work term report, and
- They do not satisfy the continuance requirements including the required course grade average necessary for continuance in the UPEI Co-op Program
Work Term Registration
Students are required to verify their work term eligibility at the Co-op Office and officially register for all work terms at the Registrar’s Office. Work terms will officially be designated on students’ transcripts as pass or fail in the Sciences Co-op and in the Business Co-op.
>>>top
