Work Terms

As an integral component of Co-operative Education Programs, students are employed for a number of work terms, which are arranged and evaluated by the individual academic units. Co-op program coordinators must review all potential Co-op positions and evaluate their suitability for work term credit. Coordinators may determine some positions as unsuitable.

Work terms, normally of four months' duration, begin in January, May, and September. 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. Work terms generally alternate with full-time academic terms on campus, and provide productive and paid, full-time work experience that is related to the student's program of studies and individual interests. In special circumstances, approval may be granted for a work term to be undertaken on a more flexible schedule, as long as it does not exceed eight months and the total time worked is equivalent to a four-month term of full-time work. Normally, students are expected to end their program on an academic term.

In limited situations, students may be admitted on a provisional basis into a co-operative education program pending formal admission into the related academic program; such students may, with special authorization by the Executive Director, Co-operative Education, on the recommendation of the academic director responsible for admission to the academic program, undertake a first Co-op work term.

In such cases, the Co-op work term will be recorded on the student’s transcript as COOP 001 and the program as COOP, and, if successfully completed, will be accepted as one of the required work terms for the student’s Co-op program.

Students registered for work terms are considered to be enrolled in a full-time course of studies.

Three units of academic credit are awarded for each approved work term successfully completed according to the requirements of the various faculties and their co-op programs. These credits may only be applied to completion of the work term requirement of an approved co-op program. These work term credits may not be applied towards requirements for any degree or program except in fulfillment of the co-op work term requirement as noted above.

Co-op students are expected to complete successfully a program of seminars and workshops (typically one hour per week), prior to undertaking their first work term. This program is designed to prepare students for the work term. The following topics will be covered: Co-op program objectives/expectations, job seeking skills, transferring skills to the workplace, learning objectives, job performance progress and evaluation. Students should consult with their co-ordinator for program schedule information. This program is a co-requisite for students participating in the placement process prior to their first work term.

Criminal Records Check

UVic students employed in co-operative work terms, placed in practica or enrolled as student members in their professional organizations may be required to undergo criminal records reviews by legislation (e.g., BC Criminal Records Review Act), or because of the risk management policies of the organization with which the student will be associated. Students are responsible for providing authorization for the review to the employer, practice agency or professional organization upon request and cooperating in the conduct of the review as needed. Without this authorization or cooperation, an organization may revoke its offer of employment or placement. Usually, the student must pay for the review, although some employers will absorb the costs. Some units on campus, where students are frequently placed in situations requiring a review, may have standard information or practices regarding the procedure. However, the University has no responsibility to involve itself in this process. Students should check the administrative office in their own unit for any discipline-specific information.

Work Authorizations for International Students

International students may be required to obtain work authorizations for teaching, research or co-operative education employment on campus. Department chairs should submit requests for work authorizations to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for a work authorization to cover a specific period of academic study at the University. Such students must be registered full-time in a degree program in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.