FAQ

Co-op is a program that combines on-campus study with paid work experience. Students also gain credit towards their degree.

Students are enrolled in a work term when they accept an employment offer from a Co-op employer. Work-terms are four, eight or twelve months long depending on the employer’s needs and the students’ status and begin in either January, May, or September. Each work-term is evaluated as a suitable learning opportunity by TRU and students continue to communicate with their Co-op coordinator for the duration of their employment through the concurrent Co-op Work Term Moodle course and a mid-term site visit.

If accepted into Co-op, students must first complete a Career Management course (COOP 1000) before being eligible for a work term. This comprehensive one-credit (additive) course covers all aspects of the Co-op job search process along with workplace expectations and career development strategies.

Students that complete COOP 1000 are eligible to apply for Co-op jobs. Students that successfully secure a job will be registered in a Co-op work term. During the work term, students stay connected to their Co-op coordinators by identifying learning goals, participating in a mid-term site visit and submitting end of term reports and evaluations.

Students can earn up to six lower level, elective credits towards their graduation requirements by completing Co-op work terms. However, they don't have to. Students that do not wish to count Co-op work terms towards their credit requirements will receive additive credit on their transcript.

Participation in Co-op is voluntary, and placements are competitive, with many Co-op employers located outside the Kamloops region. Students are not guaranteed job placement in any given work term.

At TRU, students enter Co-op at various points in their education depending on program requirements, but usually during their second, third, or fourth year of their degree.

To achieve the Co-op designation at Thompson Rivers University, students must complete a minimum number of work terms in their degree or diploma. Students in a four-year degree program must complete a minimum of three work-terms, while students in a two-year diploma program must complete a minimum of two work-terms to receive their Co-op designation. *Note: Students taking degrees or diplomas which require Co-op as a part of their program are not eligible to receive Co-op designation.

COOP 1000 is a pre-requisite one credit course that students must pass before accepting a work term. The course covers career development-related topics and is intended to give students a strong foundation prior to going out on their first work term. Several sections of this course are offered each semester.

Eligibility requirements for the Co-op program can be found in Eligibility.

View the Co-op Apply Now page for application details.

You can submit your application at any time and may be accepted into the program. If you miss the last day to register for classes, then you will have to wait and take the COOP 1000 course the following semester

Students who do not pass the COOP 1000 will not be able to apply for a Co-op work term until they have repeated the COOP 1000 course. This course must be completed prior to being eligible for a work term and elective credit. Students are encouraged to meet with their program Co-op coordinator to discuss individual circumstances.

Co-op work-terms are not guaranteed, and students must be diligent in applying to secure a Co-op position. Co-op Coordinators are available to assist and support with the application process.

Students can apply to Co-op jobs that are advertised through Career and Experiential Learning or find their own work position and have it evaluated and approved as a Co-op position. The position must demonstrate a suitable learning opportunity. Career and Experiential Learning supports students in finding work-terms by communicating open positions. However, it is up to the student to follow through with the job search process to secure their own position.

Regular tuition fees apply to each co-op work term and MUST be paid to complete the work term and receive credit for it. Students will be notified of tuition charges when enrolled in a Co-op work term.

Work terms start in January, May or September and can be for four, eight or twelve months. Students in Co-op complete their normal academic curriculum while integrating work terms into their program. Students alternate semesters of work and study, starting and ending on an academic session. Students have the option to combine work terms and remain with an employer for up to twelve months continuously depending on individual program regulations.

Not necessarily. Depending on when you choose to complete your work terms and your year of acceptance into Co-op, you can still graduate with the Co-op option within four years. Students can, however, extend their graduation by a semester or two to gain additional real world work experience prior to graduation.

Co-op wages vary depending on the employer, the student’s level of experience, and year of study.

Domestic Co-ops can be between the provincial minimum wage or up to $45 per hour; however, the average domestic Co-op is between $22-$28 per hour.

Co-op Abroad wages are subject to the host country and company. Speak with your Co-op coordinator to go over specific Co-op abroad opportunities.

Yes, you can still apply for Co-op. Your future work terms will count for additive credit.

Elective credit means you can count a Co-op work term towards your graduation requirements. Additive credit means you will graduate with more credits than required because some of your Co-op work terms will not count as electives and not reduce the number of credits you need to graduate.

Yes, students must successfully complete a work term to be awarded credit.

Yes, TRU Co-op has a Co-op Abroad program which will assist you in developing international Co-op work terms. Each year TRU Co-op students travel to work around the globe. Check out the Co-op Abroad page for more information.