- What is a co-op probation period?
- Where can I get support?
- How do I know if I am on co-op probation?
- How will my work-study sequence be adjusted?
- How do I get off co-op probation?
- I was on co-op probation once. What happens if I get on probation again?
- Due to advanced standing when I joined co-op, I only have a total of 5 work terms in my sequence. My cumulative average just dropped below 60%. Do I still get a probation term?
What is a co-op probation period?
Students will be put on probation from the co-op program if their Cumulative Average (CAV) falls below 60%.
It is the hope of the Faculty that this probation period will provide an opportunity to students experiencing academic difficulty, to take a term away without the added distraction of applying for a co-op job, to concentrate on their studies and demonstrate that they can succeed both academically and in co-op. As a result, a student will not generally be eligible to participate in recruitment or earn co-op credit for their next scheduled work term while on probation. If a student is already employed for their next work term, the probation restriction will be applied to the following scheduled work term.
Where can I get support?
We strongly encourage you to make use of the many resources available to you. Many students in this situation tend to benefit from the programs offered by Counselling Services and the Student Success Office.
A variety of study skills packages and workshops are available to assist students. Individual counseling is also available, free of charge, for students with challenges of a more personal nature.
How do I know if I am on co-op probation?
After each academic term, each student enrolled in the term has their course work evaluated and an official academic standing is assigned, usually on the fourth Monday of the next term. Undergraduate advisors in each academic plan review these standings for all students enrolled in their plan and where appropriate add a note or notes called transcript text. The Registrar's Office publishes a list of important dates for each term on the Quest website as part of the information for undergraduate students.
If you are placed on co-op probation, co-op probation will be displayed as transcript text in Quest, and the Associate Dean, Co-operative Education will email you. Note that the co-op standing is often assigned shortly after other academic standings.
Students will be placed on probation in co-op after a full-time school term in which their academic standing falls below 'good standing'.
Such standings include:
- Probationary Standing (PRBO) - assigned when the Cumulative Average (CAV) falls below 60%.
- Probational/Conditional Standing (PRBC) - assigned when both the Cumulative Average (CAV) and Major Average (MAV) fall below 60%.
Students may also be placed on probation in co-op if they accumulate two missing or failed Professional Development (PD) courses.
How will my work-study sequence be adjusted?
The changes to your work-study sequence depends on your academic term.
If probation is assigned at the end of your first full-time academic term, then to allow time to concentrate on improving your academic performance, you will be swapped into co-op sequence 3. This means that there will be an OFF term after your second academic term (which is typically a spring term), you will study full time the following term (the fall term), and your first work term will be moved to the next term (the winter term). You will still have 6 work term opportunities in your revised sequence. During the OFF term, you will be limited to two courses (1.0 credits). Exceptions to take a full-time course load can be requested by contacting coopmath@uwaterloo.ca.
If probation is assigned later in your academic career, then to allow time to concentrate on improving your academic performance, you will not be eligible to earn co-op credit or use the WaterlooWorks co-op job board during your next scheduled work term. Instead, you will be able to take a full-time course load if you wish. This work term opportunity cannot be added back to your work-study sequence in the future.
How do I get off co-op probation?
A probationary standing affects both your co-op status and your academic status. In order for students to continue with the co-op program you must:
- raise your overall Cumulative Average (CAV) to at least 60% in your next full-time study term, or
- demonstrate significant progress in your next full-time study term by achieving an overall Term Average (TAV) of 65%. Your standing would stay as probationary but you will be given more time to raise your CAV to 60%. If your probation is extended, you would then need to reach the 60% CAV by the end of your next full-time study term.
If neither of these conditions are met, you will be switched to the regular program. Once you are switched to the regular program, it is not possible to return to co-op in the future.
As we understand this may be a tough time, we are here to guide students and provide support where needed to get students back to good academic standing in the co-op program. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your advisors.
I was on co-op probation once. What happens if I get on probation again?
Unfortunately, a second term with a co-op probation standing (even if not consecutive terms) results in removal from co-op.
If you have already secured a position for your next scheduled work term, you will be transferred to a regular plan after that work term is completed (and it cannot be extended). Otherwise, you would be transferred to regular in the current term and removed from recruitment. To request an exception to this timeline, contact the Associate Dean, Co-op (math.coop.ad@uwaterloo.ca).
Due to advanced standing when I joined co-op, I only have a total of 5 work terms in my sequence. My cumulative average just dropped below 60%. Do I still get a probation term?
Unfortunately, If you only have a total of 5 work terms in your co-op sequence because you joined co-op with advanced standing, a co-op probation term cannot be applied and you cannot complete co-op degree requirements. As a result, you will typically be removed from co-op and transferred to a regular plan of study.
If you have already secured a position for your next scheduled work term, you will be transferred to a regular plan after that work term is completed and the work term cannot be extended. Otherwise, you would be transferred to regular in the current term and removed from recruitment. To request an exception to this timeline, contact the Associate Dean, Co-op (math.coop.ad@uwaterloo.ca).
I've already missed one work term and was just put on co-op probation. What does that mean?
Unfortunately, if you have already missed one work term opportunity and co-op probation results in the loss of a second work term opportunity, you will typically be removed from co-op, as you will not be able to complete a co-op degree. You will not have enough work terms remaining to meet degree requirements.
If you have already secured a position for your next scheduled work term, you will be transferred to a regular plan after that work term is completed (and it cannot be extended). Otherwise, you would be transferred to regular in the current term and removed from recruitment. To request an exception to this timeline, contact the Associate Dean, Co-op (math.coop.ad@uwaterloo.ca).
Can I change my work-study sequence if I get off co-op probation?
Yes, once co-op probation is resolved, you may change your sequence to potentially move your next work earlier or later, depending on what works best for you, as long as a valid work-study sequence can be built. As with any sequence change, it must be approved in consultation with coopmath@uwaterloo.ca and your academic advisor, if needed.
What if I have special circumstances?
If you feel that there are errors or discrepancies on your academic record or if you believe that your situation warrants special consideration, please contact your academic advisor.
What if I have secured employment already?
Students who have secured employment for a co-op work term immediately following the study term that led to their probation will normally be permitted to honour that employment commitment and the work term will be eligible for official co-op work-term credit. However, sequence change requests to lengthen a work term to eight months will not typically be approved for students in this situation.
Students with a eight-month work term commitment already in place, or whose employer asks them to return for a second sequential work term, will normally be expected to honour those commitments.
In these cases, the co-op probation period will apply to the next scheduled work term.
Can I use WaterlooWorks while on co-op probation?
While on co-op probation you will not have access to the co-op job board on WaterlooWorks; however, you will still be able to access the non-co-op resources.