At Waterloo, co-op students alternate study terms with co-op work terms and graduate with relevant paid work experience. This means learning how to navigate the hiring process, applying your skills to real-life problems, and learning about yourself along the way.
In Arts, co-op is available in Peace and Conflict Studies through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
Co-op eligibility
Co-op is only available to students in Honours academic plans.
- Honours PACS students require a minimum 70% major average.
- Honours Arts and Business, Honours PACS students require a minimum 70% major average and a minimum 70% average in their Honours Arts and Business courses.
As an Arts student, in most cases, you will assessed for co-op eligibility when you declare your major. If you are eligible, you will be admitted to co-op before starting your second year of the fall term (academic level 2A). Learn more about Arts co-op eligibility and speak with the PACS Academic Advisor if you have any questions.
Co-op fees
The Co-op program at the University of Waterloo is predominantly funded by a student-paid co-op fee. Similar to tuition, this fee is associated with being enrolled in a co-op program and is paid in installments throughout your time at Waterloo. To learn more about these fees and what they cover, visit the Co-operative Education’s fee page.
Professional Development (PD) courses
Co-op students in Arts must complete four Professional Development (PD) courses. These courses help you increase your employability and assist you with seeing connections between work experience and what you learn in the classroom.
Co-op Support
As a co-op student, you will have a team of support. Learn how to connect with your team.
All students (co-op and regular streams) have access to Centre for Career Development resources and support at any point during their time at Waterloo.
Ndagire Brendah, the PACS Undergraduate Academic Officer, is also available to support you throughout the co-op process.
Co-op student experiences
Hear from PACS students about the kinds of jobs they have had in co-op and reflections on their experiences on the co-op student experiences page.
Co-op student jobs
Co-op sequences
You will have five work term opportunities in your sequence and you need to complete a minimum of four work terms. The sequence you follow is determined by when you start your studies and your academic plan(s). For example, students in Honours Arts and Business follow a different sequence than students in Honours Arts.
Learn more about which sequence you follow as a PACS major. If you are requesting a sequence change, please see:
What kind of co-op jobs can I get?
Your first co-op term will be more of an entry-level position to start building experience. After that, you will start seeing more specialized job postings relating to Peace and Conflict Studies. In the past, our students have had co-op jobs at places like Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Canada, the City of Kitchener, Parliament, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), United Way, Toronto District School Board, local non-profit organizations, private companies, and Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College.
Find out how a Co-op in Peace and Conflict Studies can broaden your skills and knowledge in the work environment from the experience of a current PACS Co-op student, Anna Miedema, below.
What is a PACS Co-op Experience?
Co-op student Employers
In previous years, students have held co-op jobs with a wide range of employers, including:
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
- Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Toronto District School Board
- Li-Cycle
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- City of Waterloo
- Manulife Financial
- Live Different
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
Co-op Positions
Some of the job titles that PACS students have held include:
- Business Development Associate
- Project Delivery Officer
- Assistant Project Manager
- Junior Analyst
- Technical Sales Assistant
- Assistant Coordinator - Volunteer Resources Team
- Events Assistant
- Talent Administrator
- Teaching Assistant