Co-op Requirements

  • The co-operative education program will offer three distinct professional development seminars, COOP 110, COOP 120 and COOP 130.  Each seminars is a pre-requisite for the following seminar and all three seminars constitute pre-requisites for work term placements. (COOP 110 for COOP 401, COOP 110 and COOP 120 for COOP 402, COOP 110 to COOP 130 for COOP 403). Students completing the work term component through four-month blocks must successfully complete COOP 110 prior to the first block, COOP 120 prior to the second block and COOP 130 prior to the third block. Students completing a twelve to sixteen month work term must complete all three seminars to be eligible for the work term placement.
  • Students must attend all sessions of professional development seminars. Attendance will be taken via a signed attendance sheet at each session.
  • Students are required to complete a minimum of twelve months and a maximum of sixteen months of work term experience. This can be accomplished in four month blocks interspersed with academic study or in one twelve to sixteen month work term.
  • Work terms must occur in at least two of the three semesters and must be preceded and followed by an academic term. "Academic Semesters" are January to April, May to August, and September to December. This is a three semester model. Eight-month or back-to-back work terms are acceptable as long as they are also are preceded and followed by an academic term. The 12-16 month work term is considered a Co-op Internship and must be with one employer.
  • Students will be permitted to commence the work term component of the program after completion of their second year of study, subject to meeting pre-requisite requirements. Students must complete their degree requirements with a minimum of one term of on-campus academic study and must enroll in a full course load of 15 credits.
  • Students will complete the requirements for their formal debrief and final report during their first term back on campus after completing the work term component of the program. Students will register in COOP 405 and will receive a grade and three credits upon successful completion of the work. For the purpose of assessing full course load, the three credits associated with COOP 405 will be counted.

Updated polices can be found in section 9.13 StFX Academic Calendar.

Examples of Co-op Work Term Models (PDF) The following handout provides some examples of approved work term sequencing models. Students are encouraged to discuss work term options with the Co-op Staff.

 

Academic Integrity

Co-op Students are encouraged to read Section 3.8 of the StFX Academic Calendar. Academic Integrity includes how you behave and what you do as a co-op student during the job application process and during the interview, and as well as how you conduct yourself on your work terms.

“All members of St. Francis Xavier University are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical manner in their academic work. It is the policy of the university that academic dishonesty in any form is not acceptable. Academic dishonesty is defined as any act, practice or behavior that gives a student an unearned academic advantage over another or that counteracts or undermines the integrity of academic or scholarly endeavour at St. Francis Xavier University.” -StFX Academic Calendar p. 13 Section 3.8