Co-operative Education (Co-op) formally integrates academic studies with paid, full-time work experiences at host employer organizations. The name reflects the co-operative relationship between the employer, the student, and Kwantlen.

Students enrolling in Co-op programs benefit in many ways. They gain practical work experience while earning a competitive wage to help finance their education. They explore their career choice, develop goals, and learn job search and career success skills. They also learn to apply their skills and knowledge in the world of work. Co-op programs provide the opportunity for students to acquire extensive career-related work experience with their diploma or degree.

The Co-op Education department is responsible for coordinating co-op work experiences. Co-op Coordinators work with employers to develop experiences that integrate the skills and knowledge acquired by students in their on-campus courses. Faculty from the department also perform site visits to evaluate the work experiences with both student and employer.

The Co-op department provides a series of three mandatory employment skills and communications courses for students enrolled in Co-op Diploma programs. Third year co-op students wishing to choose the Co-op option must enroll in COOP 1101 in the Fall semester in order to compete for a work term the next summer, (for example: take COOP 1101 in September 2007 in order to compete for a Summer 2008 work term).

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

Kwantlen currently offers Co-op Education options within the programs listed below:

        • Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
        • Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership
        • Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management
        • Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology
        • Computer Information Systems Diploma
        • Environmental Protection Technology Diploma
        • Marketing Management Diploma

For more information about these Co-op programs, refer to the specific program section of the calendar.

For information about Co-op courses, see http://www.kwantlen.cacourses/coopcrs.html

Students in Co-op programs are required to pay designated co-operative education tuition fees. Check with Admissions for more information.

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 contact: