Leaders in co-op education
The University of Waterloo founded co-operative education in Canada and operates the largest post-secondary school co-op program of its kind in the world. With over 35,000 participating employers world-wide, you'll have a huge network of employers to access when you're looking for co-op jobs.
Recreation and Leisure Studies co-op
Waterloo's Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies is available through either the regular or co-op system of study.
As a co-op student in Recreation and Leisure Studies, you'll find out how your classroom learning is used in the workplace, and you'll discover that what you've learned on your work term provides an extra dimension to your school work.
Waterloo co-op offers:
- almost two years of paid work experience
- a chance to apply classroom theory to real-world job situations
- career contacts and connections
- opportunity to explore different career options
In addition, you can expect to develop other valuable skills during your work terms, such as clear and concise written and oral communication skills; software literacy; teamwork skills; creative and analytical problem-solving skills; organizational skills and expertise in time management.
To see some of the co-op positions recently held by our Recreation and Leisure Studies students, visit sample co-op jobs.
Earn while you learn
Co-op can also be a great way to help finance your education. For information on potential earnings, see the "Faculty of Health" sections of Co-op earnings.
Recreation and Leisure Studies co-op work/study sequence
Work terms begin winter term of second year, alternating work and school terms through to program completion in year five. See full work/study sequence in undergraduate calendar.
For more information about co-op programming at Waterloo, visit the Co-operative Education website.
Professional Development Program (WatPD)
The University of Waterloo’s Professional Development program (WatPD) offers a unique opportunity designed to equip University of Waterloo co-op students with the employability skills that are essential to becoming integral members of the workforce. In fact, according to a survey of 150 Canadian employers, the competencies covered in WatPD courses such as communication, problem solving and teamwork rank as the most desired skills when hiring entry-level candidates.
WatPD courses are completed online, entirely outside of work hours, by students while on a co-op work term. All WatPD courses are for academic credit, and after the first two courses, students can choose which others they wish to take, depending upon their areas of interest. As a result, students can further customize their education, helping them to foster the skills that will benefit them most in the future.
For more information on co-op professional development, please visit the WatPD website.
For more information about co-op programming at Waterloo, visit the Co-operative Education website.