Psychology Co-op

Employers expect employees to be able to analyze information and make decisions about problems that arise at work. Employees need to be able to clarify the question, identify the data required, determine methods to obtain the data, and employ analytic techniques to allow one to draw a conclusion. The co-op program is a very good way to acquire these skills.

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. It's an amazing way to explore careers, gain relevant experience, and make money while earning your degree. You’ll learn to successfully interview for jobs, apply your skills to real-life problems, and graduate with valuable work experience. 

• Learn how co-op works
• Learn if co-op is right for you
• Learn about your roles and responsibilities as a co-op student
• Advantages and challenges for Psychology Co-op students

Co-op is only available to students in Honours academic plans.

• BA Honours Psychology students require a minimum 70% major average
• BA Honours Arts and Business, Honours Psychology students require a minimum 70% major average and a minimum 70% average in their Honours Arts and Business courses.
• BSc Honours Psychology students require a cumulative average of at least 75% in Psychology courses.

Check all the admission requirements for Psychology programs.

Students will be assessed for co-op eligibility when they declare a major in the 1B term. If eligible, they will be admitted to co-op prior to starting their second year Fall term (academic level 2A).

Contact the Psychology Administrative Coordinator and Advisor if you have any questions.

Co-op at 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 instalments throughout your time at Waterloo. To learn more about these fees and what they cover, visit the Co-operative Education’s fee page.

Students following a 5-work term sequence pay co-op fees 6 times, starting the 2A term. In case you are following an old co-op sequence with only 4 work terms, you will pay co-op fees 5 times, starting the 2B term. If you are not sure about which sequence your are following, please check it under Current Co-op Students.

Students in the co-op system of study have roles and responsibilities such as full-time registration and a a prescribed academic/work term sequence. Check the co-operative education system page under the undergraduate calendar.

• Co-op Sequence:
  • Arts (BA) students
  • Science (BSc) students
  • Sequence change requests
  • Challenges for accelerating program completion (fast track)
• Enrolment in an academic course during a work term
• Non-academic requirements required by all Psychology Co-op students:
  • Professional Development (PD) courses
  • The old work-term report requirement
• Sample work term placements
• Pre-departure for co-op international work terms (e.g., safety tips)
• Co-op student of the year awards
• Global Experiences Certificate (not just for Co-op students)
• Check when and how you should contact a career advisor, a co-op advisor or your program advisor.