Political Science Co-operative Education Program

The Co-operative Education Program in the Faculty of Social Sciences is described on this page. Additional general regulations pertaining to co-operative education programs at the University of Victoria are found on this page.

The Political Science Co-operative Education option provides students with an opportunity to combine their academic studies with four 4-month periods of paid employment in Political Science-related positions in the public, private or non-profit sectors. Normally, the expected number of weeks per work term is 15 and the expected number of hours per week is 35. The minimum number of weeks per work term is 12 and the minimum number of hours per week is 35.

Admissions to the Political Science Co-op Program

Entry into the Political Science co-op program is open to full-time students (those taking 6 or more units per term) who are proceeding to an Honours or Major program offered by the department. To be considered for admission to the program, students normally require a minimum GPA of 5.0 in 100 and 200 level Political Science courses. In addition to these grade and course requirements, admission will also be based on a student's interests and abilities.

Students interested in participating in the co-op program should normally apply at the beginning of their second year of studies. Students should complete POLI 351 before commencement of their first work term, and must complete it before commencement of their second work term. Applications must be submitted to the Social Sciences Co-op office by the advertised deadlines in September and January. The first work term will normally start eight months after the application deadline. Work terms will normally alternate with study terms thereafter.

Students who are taking double or combined major degrees, who wish to participate in a combined Co-op, should refer to the Social Sciences Co-operative Education Program.

To continue with the program, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 5.0 in Political Science and 5.0 overall. To graduate with a Co-operative Education designation, students must satisfactorily complete three work terms and attain a grade of at least B in POLI 351. Each work term is recorded on the student’s official transcript of academic record (as COM, N/X or F/X). A student may withdraw at any time during an academic term from the Political Science co-op program and graduate with a Political Science BA degree without the co-op designation.

Work term credit by challenge is permitted in the Political Science co-op program.

Further information concerning the Political Science co-op program is available from the department or the Social Sciences Co-operative Education office and at <coop.uvic.ca/sscoop>.