Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 38246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 35870
Information for faculty and staff
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
How it works
In the co-op system you alternate school terms with paid work terms. Co-op programs take up to a year longer to complete than traditional degrees, but the time is well spent. Through co-op, you'll have the advantage of gaining work experience in a variety of settings as well as making important career contacts and earning on average $30,000 to $60,000 over the course of your studies to help finance your education.
- as much as two years of paid work experience
- a chance to apply classroom theory to real-world job situations
- career contacts and connections
- employment earnings to help finance your education
- opportunity to explore different career options
In addition, employers tell us co-op students develop many valuable skills during work terms, such as clear and concise written and oral communication skills; computer literacy; teamwork skills; creative and analytical problem-solving skills; organizational skills; and the ability to create and meet deadlines.
Co-op schedules for students who start Fall 2020
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Term |
F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W |
|
Honours Arts and Business, Honours Arts (English majors only) |
ST | ST | OFF | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | WK | ST | ST |
|
Honours Arts Co-op (all majors except English) |
ST | ST | OFF | ST | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | WK | ST |
- F = Fall term, September - December
- W = Winter term, January - April
- S = Spring term, May - August
- ST= Study
- WK = work
Co-op schedules for students who started prior to 2020
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Term |
F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W |
|
Arts and |
ST | ST | OFF | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | WK | ST | ST |
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Term |
F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W |
|
English, History |
ST | ST | OFF | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | WK | ST | ST |
|
Economics |
ST | ST | OFF | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | WK | ST | ST |
|
Political Science, |
ST | ST | OFF | ST | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | WK | ST | |
- F = Fall term, September - December
- W = Winter term, January - April
- S = Spring term, May - August
- ST= Study
- WK = work
If you don't want to do co-op
Under the regular system of study, you'll enjoy more continuity in your studies, more choice and flexibility. Normally, you'll attend classes from September through April, and have your summers off. However, some of our regular system students decide to take extra courses during the Spring term and fast-track to graduation.
- continuity in studies, social life, and living arrangements
- opportunity for more active involvement in campus and community
- freedom to plan summer employment and other projects
- a quicker path to graduation, the workforce, graduate studies, teacher's college, or professional schools
- completion normally within 3-2/3 years, or if you fast-track, within 2 2/3 years
Or you could consider earning the EDGE experiential education certificate by augmenting your studies in the regular stream with opportunities on campus, in the community, and in the workplace. Develop job-search skills, get experience working or volunteering, and learn how to market yourself to potential employers.
What's best for me: regular or co-op?
Academically, the programs are identical between regular and co-op. You will learn from the same professors, take the same required courses, and learn with the same group of students in your program. The difference comes down to what you do outside of the standard school terms.