Intro
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.
In Arts, co-op is available in Sociology or Legal Studies through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
Co-op eligibility
Co-op is only available to students in Honours academic plans.
- Honours Sociology or Legal Studies students require a minimum 70% major average
- Honours Arts and Business, Honours Sociology or Legal Studies students require a minimum 70% major average and a minimum 70% average in their Honours Arts and Business courses.
As an Arts student, in most cases you will be assessed for co-op eligibility when you declare your major.
If you are eligible, you will be admitted to co-op prior to starting your second year fall term (academic level 2A). Learn more about Arts co-op eligibility and speak with the Undergraduate Associate Chairs or the advisor if you have any questions.
Co-op sequences
You will have five work term opportunities in your sequence and you need to complete a minimum of four work terms. The sequence you follow is determined by when you start your studies and your academic plan(s). For example, students in Honours Arts and Business follow a different sequence than students in Honours Arts.
Learn more about which sequence you follow as a Sociology major and/or Legal Studies major.
If you are requesting a sequence change, please see:
Co-op fees
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.
Professional Development (PD) courses
Co-op students in Arts must successfully complete four work terms, as well as four professional development (PD) courses from the WatPD program. The number of PD courses you’ll complete is determined by the academic calendar year you joined the co-op program in the Faculty of Arts. These PD courses help you increase your employability and assist you with seeing connections between workplace experience and what you learn in the classroom. Learn more about the Arts PD requirements.
Co-op supports
As a co-op student, you will have a team of support. Learn how to connect with your team.
All students (co-op and regular streams) have access to Centre for Career Development resources and supports at any point during their time at Waterloo.
To connect with your co-op advisor, log into the WaterlooWorks portal. On your dashboard, click the tab “Send a Message” and then select the option “to my advisor” from the drop down menu. This will allow you to send a direct message to the appropriate co-op advisor.
Students can also contact the Sociology and Legal Studies advisor with questions about co-op.
Co-op student jobs
Sample Legal Studies co-op jobs
- Administrative Support Clerk
- Business Analyst
- Marketing Associate
- Law Clerk
- Legal Studies Assistant
Sample Sociology co-op jobs
- Activities Assistant
- Community Relations Coordinator
- Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Support and Engagement Coordinator
- Teaching Assistant
- Underwriters