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FAQs

Policies & Procedure FAQs

Does it cost anything to be in CO-OP?

Yes. The fee is set each spring by the Registrar's Office (see question below).

Must I pay CO-OP fees during all sessions or only during work terms?

CO-OP fees - First work term before winter 2011
As an undergraduate-level CO-OP student, you pay CO-OP fees for each study session and work term, starting with the session before your first work term and up to and including your last work term. As a graduate-level CO-OP student, you pay CO-OP fees four times, once per session, starting with the one preceding your first work term. For the 2011-2012 academic year, the fee is $405.

CO-OP fees - First work term in or after winter 2011
As a CO-OP student, you pay CO-OP fees starting with the session before your first work term and then for every work term after, up to and including your last one. For the 2011-2012 academic year, the fee is $650.

Does CO-OP delay graduation, and must I return to school after my last work term?

In regular programs, you normally graduate in the spring of your fourth year; in CO-OP, your graduation date is eight months later. In a CO-OP program, you complete your degree requirements in December of your fifth year. So, yes, you must return to school after your last work term to fulfill your remaining course requirements. Remember that CO-OP is part of an academic program. The premise is that you need to return to class after each work term to apply in-class what you've learned on the job.

Do my CO-OP work-term credits also count towards my degree credits?

CO-OP work-term credits count towards the requirements for CO-OP certification on your degree. They do not replace academic credits for non-CO-OP programs.

How much can I expect to be paid per week while completing a work term?

Pay depends on the number of work terms you've done and your program of study. Salaries usually vary between $400 and $700 a week.

For more detailed salary statistics, please select a term to display in the table below:

Select term for student wages to display
Winter
2011 2012 2013
Summer
2010 2011 2012
Fall
2010 2011 2012

Do CO-OP work-term credits affect my overall CGPA?

Work terms are graded pass or fail, and affect your CGPA only if you fail. Remember, your work-term assessment is based on the employer's evaluation of your work and your faculty's grading of your work-term report.

Must I study full-time throughout the CO-OP program?

Yes, you must study full-time to stay in CO-OP (a minimum of 12 credits per session).

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May I participate in an international exchange study program while in CO-OP?

Yes, but this usually requires a special exemption from the CO-OP Office that allows you to be absent during a work term or during the placement process. In most cases, however, students may participate in international exchanges if the exchange program is recognized by the University and counts towards degree requirements.

Am I allowed to take time off during the program?

Time off is allowed for medical reasons only. Time off for any other reason (travel, etc.) is not allowed. One of the core requirements of CO-OP is that you remain a full-time student during the program.

Who do I talk to for questions about my classes?

If you have questions about your course timetable, talk to your program's academic assistant. His or her contact information can be found here: www.coop.uOttawa.ca/en/en-contact-us/en-cc.asp.

Am I allowed to take courses during my work terms?

You may take one night course per work term. Make sure that taking courses during work terms does NOT prevent you from returning to school after your last work term (e.g., courses were too advanced or there are no courses left to take). Any exceptions to this rule will require permission from the CO-OP Office.

Must I maintain the minimum admission average (usually a CGPA of 6.0 in most undergraduate programs, and an average of 7.0 for graduate programs) in the CO-OP program?

Yes. For undergraduate programs, if your average falls below the minimum, you have two study sessions to raise it. If you fail to do so by the deadline, you will be asked to withdraw from the CO-OP program. Undergraduate and graduate students must graduate with the minimum admission's average in order to get the CO-OP mention on their degrees.

Must I notify the CO-OP Office if I plan on changing study programs?

Yes. Before changing programs, notify the CO-OP Office and your faculty.

Must I follow the work-study sequences set by the CO-OP Office?

Yes. Any change in sequence requires the approval of the CO-OP Office.

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How many work terms must I complete?

All work terms in your program need to be completed unless an exception is granted. Most programs require four work terms, excluding accounting, civil law, translation and graduate studies programs.

How long do the work terms last?

Work terms are full-time and normally last 16 weeks (four months), but we accept some as short as 13 weeks in special circumstances.

Can I graduate with only three work terms if my program requires four?

Yes, but only with special permission from the CO-OP Office. This exception is granted to students who

  • by no fault of their own were not offered a placement (provided they participated actively in the placement process)
  • were admitted with advanced standing
  • are given an exemption because of an international study exchange
  • had to be away for medical reasons, or for some other reason deemed appropriate.

I have chosen to participate in the placement process but do not want to return to a previous employer, nor do I intend to find my own job placement. Must I apply for job placements?

You should apply for a reasonable number of jobs to continue in the placement process and successfully complete the work-term course. You normally have to apply for first-round jobs to remain in the continuous-placement process.

May I find my own work-term placement instead of participating in the interview process? If so, do I still have to pay CO-OP fees?

You may find your own work-term placement provided that you withdraw from the interview process before the application start dates. You must also indicate this on the placement-intention form in the CO-OP Navigator. CO-OP fees are like membership dues: you have to pay them no matter what your placement intentions are.

If I decide to participate in the placement process, do I have to go to all the interviews and do they take place at the same time as my classes or during mid-term exams?

If you've decided to participate in the placement process, you must attend all scheduled interviews. If your interviews are often scheduled at the same time as a particular course or are scheduled when you have a midterm exam, the CO-OP office will try to change the interview schedule for you. If this isn't possible, please speak to your professor, explaining the importance of attending your interviews, to see if it's possible to make alternate arrangements for your classwork or exams.

Why can't the CO-OP office schedule interviews so they don't take place during mid-terms?

We make every effort to do this. However, we also have to schedule our interviews in a way that allows us to be as competitive as possible with other universities. Because we are the first university to hold our interviews, our students are often hired first.

Can I work outside Canada?

Yes, you are allowed to complete a work term outside Canada. Although we offer a limited number of international work terms, students themselves find most out-of-country placements. Be aware that this requires a lot of planning.

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Am I allowed to take time off during a work term?

No, time off (for travel, etc.) is not allowed during work terms. You need to be involved full-time from beginning to end.

Does the CO-OP office provide any kind of assistance during placements?

Yes. We schedule on-site visits so we can meet you and your employer. We also follow up to make sure the goals you and your employer have set are being met and to resolve any problems that may arise. You can contact us at any other time if you have a problem or if there's a situation you'd like to discuss.

Must I still submit one work-term report per work term even if I am doing consecutive work terms with the same employer?

Yes, for grading purposes, each CO-OP work-term report is tied to its four-month work-term course, and is like a final exam. You must hand in a report for each work term.

Must I update my resumé after each placement?

Yes, you must update your resumé and have it copy-edited and proofread.

Must I meet all the deadlines posted in the Student Calendar?

Yes. Otherwise, you risk being dropped from the program.

Can I withdraw from CO-OP at any time?

There are deadlines for withdrawing from CO-OP. Our dates differ from those in other programs and are clearly indicated in our Student Calendar. Once you've registered for placement, you may not withdraw before completing the work term. This ensures that we honour our commitments to employers, without whom CO-OP could not exist.

Must I attend all mandatory workshops?

Yes. Workshops are an integral part of all accredited CO-OP programs, and as such, they are crucial to your success.

Where can I obtain my T4 after a work term?

You should be provided with a T4 following a work term. Some students automatically receive their T4 directly from their employers or through the mail without asking for it (this seems to be the case for many federal government jobs).
If you don't receive a T4 from your employer, or if you want to inquire about the process, it's best to speak directly with your supervisor or human resources contact.

Do CO-OP students still pay for the Universal Bus Pass

Yes. In the fall, CO-OP students will be charged the same universal bus pass (U-Pass) fee. However, you may qualify for an exemption.

Students taking part in a CO-OP placement outside the National Capital Region

If you are doing a CO-OP placement during the fall or winter session outside the National Capital Region, you are exempt from paying this fee for the session in which you are away. To receive a credit on your account, simply follow these steps:

  • Complete the appropriate form and return it to the SFUO (Student Federation of the University of Ottawa) before you leave for your placement. Forms are available at the SFUO office (room 07 in the lower level of the University Centre). Be sure to check the SFUO's deadlines for this credit.
  • The SFUO will confirm you are working outside the region (a list of all CO-OP students will be provided to the SFUO).
  • If you are eligible for the exemption, you will receive a credit on your student account.
  • If your CO-OP placement takes place during the winter session, you will need to return your U-Pass at the end of the fall session to receive a credit for the winter session.

      • CO-OP students not re-registering in the winter session
      • Complete the appropriate form and return it to the SFUO (Student Federation of the University of Ottawa) at the end of the fall session. Forms are available at the SFUO office (room 07 in the lower level of the University Centre).
      • Return your U-Pass at the end of the fall session to receive a credit for the winter session.
      • Contact University of Ottawa Financial Services to receive a reimbursement cheque for the credit amount.
      For more information about the U-Pass, visit the website.

      Where can I obtain the Work-Study application forms?

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Last Updated: 2/6/2013