As per the MDSAI (Co-op) Academic Calendar, students in the MDSAI full-time co-op program must complete one work term, which is expected to take place in their third term. They are then expected to return to campus for a final study term. Any exceptions to this standard sequence requires additional approval. Students may also apply for a one-term (4 month) extension of their work term with the same employer. To complete the work report, students must have had a work placement and receive at least a satisfactory evaluation for their co-operative education term.
Guidelines
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For detailed information about co-operative education for graduate students, please see Information for graduate students
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Students will be auto-enrolled for their first attempt at the course, usually for their pre-recruitment term, by the GSPA office. If you are not auto-enrolled, and you think you should be in the course, please reach out to the Program Administrator.
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The standard sequence for MDSAI (co-op) students is below. In extenuating circumstances, a student may request to change this sequence by emailing a completed co-op sequence change form to the Program Administrator before the student's recruitment term (normally in the student's first Fall term). Please note that a request to end on a co-op work term is normally not allowed but a student may complete a petition for exception to academic regulations to make their case.
- Term 1 (Study) - Fall (September to December)
- Term 2 (Study) - Winter (January to April)
- Term 3 (Co-op) - Spring (May to August)
- Term 4 (Study) - Fall (September to December)
- Students may request a one-term (4 month) extension of their work term with the same employer for a total of 8 months. A request should be made to the Program Director and copy the Program Administrator using the request for academic/work term sequence change form. Students may not extend their work term with different employers, nor may they add on additional co-op terms.
- Students may also apply directly for 8-month co-op jobs with the same employer. If a student plans to accept an 8-month job offer, the same extension request should be made to the Program Director and copy the Program Administrator using the request for academic/work term sequence change form.
- Students will find co-op opportunities on WaterlooWorks (access is provided the term before your co-op term).
- Students who are unable to find a co-op job may request to transfer to the regular (non co-op) stream MDSAI program. This request must be made through the Program Administrator by completing and submitting a Graduate Program/Plan Change form.
Arrange Your Own Co-op Job
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There are lots of different ways to find a co-op job! You can apply for jobs on the WaterlooWorks Co-op job board and also search for opportunities outside this portal at any time during the co-op employment process. This is what is called "arranging your own job" (AOJ).
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Just like when searching for jobs on WaterlooWorks, there are certain guidelines that you must follow in order to receive co-op credit. To be eligible for credit, all AOJs are assessed on a case-by-case basis that must be related to data science.
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If you receive an offer from an employer outside WaterlooWorks and you think the job meets our requirements, follow the steps below to arrange your own job for co-op credit.
Work Report Requirements
Graduate WIL reflective reports
In order to receive credit (CR) for the Graduate Studies Work Report milestone, students must complete the Graduate WIL reflective reports.
The graduate WIL reflective report comprises three sections and is designed to take approximately 2–3 hours to complete.
Students will gain access to the preparatory content and reflective report during week 8 of their work term. The report will be due on the date and time listed in LEARN, typically during week 15 of the work term. Please see more information here: Graduate WIL reflective reports | Centre for Work-Integrated Learning | University of Waterloo.