Centre for Co-Operative Education
Centre for Co-operative Education
and Career Services
CO-OP STUDENT HANDBOOK
The Co-op Student Handbook provides guidelines to all students participating in a Co-op option within their program. Participating Co-op students agree to abide by these guidelines. The guidelines contain definitions and procedures of Co-operative Education at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Procedures are subject to change as Co-op at KPU evolves over time.
July 25, 2012
Table of Contents
A. CO-OP PROGRAM OVERVIEW 5
1. What is Co-op? 5
2. Co-op at Kwantlen 5
3. Role of Co-op Instructors and the Co-op Department 5
4. Co-op programs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University 6
5. Co-operative Education Curriculum 6
6. Requirements for receiving a “Co-operative Education” designation 7
B. GENERAL CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 7
1. Declaration (Admission) Requirements 7
2. Continuance Requirements 7
3. Work Term Requirements 8
4. Registration 9
5. Completion Requirements 9
6. Delaying a work term 9
7. Student Conduct 9
8. Exit Requirements 9
9. Transferability of Work Terms 9
10. Co-op Fees and Tuition 10
11. Email communication 10
12. Registering for courses while applying for a work term 10
C. CO-OP JOB SEARCH PROCESS 10
1. After COOP 1101 10
a) Intake meeting with Co-op Instructor 10
b) Applying to Co-op jobs 11
2. Postings and the competition process 11
3. Job postings 11
4. Applying to Co-op jobs 11
5. Minimum number of applications 11
6. Work permits and social insurance numbers for international students 12
7. Interviews 12
8. Preparing for Interviews 12
9. Accepting a Co-op position 13
10. Rejecting a job 13
11. Developing your own work term (a self-directed work search) 13
12. Work term registration 14
13. Deadlines 14
D. THE CO-OP WORK TERM 15
1. Expectations 15
a) Absenteeism 15
b) Changes to student status while on a work term 15
c) Communication with the Co-op Office 15
d) Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest 15
e) Confidentiality of Co-op Information 15
f) Discrimination and Harassment 15
g) Failure to Report 15
h) Layoffs 15
i) Problems/issues while on work term 15
j) Representing Kwantlen and the Co-op program 16
k) Resignations or Terminations 16
2. Key Information for student work terms 16
a) Income tax and other statutory deductions from wages 16
c) Safety on the Job 16
d) Strike or Lockout Activity 17
e) Transportation and Accommodation 17
f) Worker’s Compensation 17
g) Student Loans 17
E. Co-op work term evaluation 18
1. Steps to successful completion of a work term 18
2. Setting Goals 18
3. Preparation for Mid term Site visit 18
4. Work term report or project 18
a) Report or project Guidelines 18
b) Academic honesty/plagiarism 18
5. Work term grading 18
F. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES 19
1. Cancellation of Co-op work term 19
2. Extenuating circumstances during a co-op work term 19
3. Failing a work term 19
G. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS 19
1. International students 19
2. International scholars 19
3. Location of pertinent information for International students: 20
H. GRADUATION 21
1. Graduation 21
2. Awards for Co-op students 21
I. CONCLUSION 21
J. APPENDIX 22
1. Appendix 1: Co-operative Education Student Agreement 22
A. CO-OP PROGRAM OVERVIEW
1. What is Co-op?
Co-operative Education formally integrates academic studies with full-time, paid work experiences in related positions with employers. Employers can be businesses, government agencies, not for profit organizations or community based associations. The name Co-op reflects the co-operative relationship between the employer, student, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
The Co-op advantage:
· Co-op students are able to plan their career paths more effectively as they testtheir learning, aptitudes and interests on the job.
· Personal growth and development are greatly enhanced through experience and working closely with Co-op Instructors from the beginning to the end of a student’s time in Co-op.
· Co-op students are paid during a work semester to help defray tuition costs.
· Two to four semesters of work experience, helps students acquire key employability skills, work relevant to their studies and become more engaged in classroom learning.
· Many graduates find full-time employment with their Co-op employers.
· Co-op graduates' starting salaries tend to be higher than those for graduates from traditional programs without co-op.
· Employers recognize the Co-op designation as a highly valued academic achievement
2. Co-op at Kwantlen
Kwantlen’s “Polytechnic” name accentuates applying academic learning in the work place. KPU’s vision statement states: “We emphasize applied education within the context of broad-based undergraduate learning to prepare our students for successful and rewarding careers”. Kwantlen believes in applying academic learning, the basic premise of the Co-op educational model.
3. Role of Co-op Instructors and the Co-op Department
The Co-op Department at Kwantlen serves students, employers and the institution to provide the necessary support to ensure a seamless, effective and sustainable relationship between all partners.
Instructors act as a liaison between partners to:
· establish appropriate work experiences with employers for students which offer a student the opportunity to apply their learning and explore a variety of careers in their field
· deliver employability related curriculum to increase a student’s probability of securing a work placement
· assist students in identifying their core competencies and to set goals to achieve greater competence while on a work term
· coordinate the co-op process for students, employers and the institution
· work with each program’s faculty and administration to communicate co-op student experiences, providing feedback for academic programs based on industry experience
4. Co-op programs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
· BTech in Information Technology
· Diploma in Computer Information Systems
· Diploma in Environmental Protection Technology
· Diploma in Marketing Management
· BA in Community Criminal Justice
· BA in Criminology
· BBA in Accounting
· BBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership
· BBA in Human Resources Management
· BBA in Marketing Management
5. Co-operative Education Curriculum
Co-operative Education curriculum includes a one-credit pre-employment, on-campus course and up to four off-campus work term courses. Students enrolled in the EPT or Marketing diploma programs are also required to complete COOP 2101 and COOP 2301.
a) COOP 1101 – Job Search Techniques
This course provides students with the current job search techniques to apply for work and succeed in securing a work term placement. In addition, COOP 1101 allows a student time to reflect on their present level of competence in skills and knowledge and then to consider where this can be applied in the workplace. COOP 1101 is a 1 credit course, typically 80 minutes once a week for 8 – 10 weeks. It is offered at the Richmond and Surrey campuses and sometimes the Langley campus depending on sufficient demand. Classes are offered in all three semesters.
b) Work Term Courses (COOP 1150, 2150, 3150, 4150)
These work term courses provide students with the opportunity to formally integrate academic studies with full-time, paid work experiences in related positions with host employer organizations. During these work terms, students examine how their application of new skills affects their work and their relationships with others in the organization. They also assess their interests and attitudes in relation to their field of study. Students on a co-op work term are monitored by Co-op faculty and are required to complete various assignments during the work term.
A co-op work term consists of full-time, paid work experience, typically 35-40 hours per week for a 12-16 week duration with a minimum of 420 hours completed. Work terms can be four, eight or twelve months of full-time work (parallel (part-time) work terms may also be available). Each work term accounts for 9 additive credits. Additive credits do not replace any academic course requirement for the program degree or diploma in which a student is enrolled. The 9 credits applied allow a student to remain as a full time student. A student working parallel (part time) work terms (one work term spread over 2 semesters) will receive 4.5 additive credits for each of the two semesters.
c) COOP 2101 – Leadership and the Job Search
This course is part of the co-op program requirements for students in the EPT and Marketing Diploma programs. Students integrate the learning they acquired during their first co-op placement and prepare for their second placement. They will inventory their skills, update their resumes and practice interview techniques. They will also develop leadership abilities through mentoring junior students by conducting mock interviews, analyzing resumes and providing feedback. COOP 2101 is a 1 credit course, typically 80 minutes once a week for 8 – 10 weeks. It is offered at the Langley campus during the fall semester.
d) COOP 2301 – Career Search
This course is part of the co-op program requirements for students in the EPT and Marketing Diploma programs. Students integrate the learning they acquired during their second co-op placement and prepare for entrance into the labour market upon graduation. They will plan their career development, update their resumes and prepare timelines for job search. They will learn techniques to identify and research work opportunities and use these techniques in conducting a job search. COOP 2301 is a 1 credit course, typically 80 minutes once a week for 8 – 10 weeks. It is offered at the Langley campus during the summer semester.
6. Requirements for receiving a “Co-operative Education” designation
Work terms occur during academic semesters, beginning in January, May and September each year. Once admitted into Co-op, students are expected to alternate work terms and academic semesters and be registered as a full-time student during academic semesters. To receive a “Co-operative Education” designation upon graduation, co-op students are required to successfully complete COOP 1101 and their work term courses. Students in the EPT and Marketing diploma programs must also complete COOP 2101 and 2301. Co-op students complete two work terms for a diploma and three (fourth optional) work terms for a degree. Co-op options within programs end on an academic semester to allow a student time to reintegrate the learning they have had on the job with their academic learning. It is recommended that students discuss their co-op and academic plan with their Co-op Instructor.
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B. GENERAL CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Declaration (Admission) Requirements
Co-operative Education is optional and selective. Students wishing to choose the Co-op option must "declare" a change of their program status to include a "Co-op Option". Once declared, students will be eligible to register in COOP 1101 and participate in work terms. In order to declare, students must meet the Declaration Requirements as stated below. To declare Co-op, students must complete a Co-op declaration by contacting the Co-op office. Attending an information session is also helpful. Register to attend an information session at Kwantlen.ca/coop.
Note: Seats for COOP 1101 are limited and available to students in a declared Co-op option on a first-come, first-served basis during the registration period.
Program Declaration (Admission) Requirements:
· Computer Information Systems Diploma – Good academic standing
· Environmental Protection Technology Diploma – Good academic standing
· Marketing Management Diploma – Good academic standing
· BA Criminology – minimum 30 program credits, GPA of 2.7 or higher
· BA Community Criminal Justice – minimum 30 program credits, GPA of 2.7 or higher
· BBA Accounting - minimum 30 program credits, GPA of 2.7 or higher
· BBA Entrepreneurial Leadership - minimum 30 program credits, GPA of 2.7 or higher
· BBA Marketing Management – Good academic standing
· BBA Human Resources Management - minimum 30 program credits, GPA of 2.7 or higher
· BTech in Information Technology - Good academic standing
2. Continuance Requirements
For students with a declared co-op option, ongoing requirements must be maintained in order to continue in the program. Specific Continuance Requirements are stated below. Failure to fulfill Co-op Continuance Requirementsmay result in the student being removed from the Co-op option of their program.
Program Continuance Requirements:
· Computer Information Systems Diploma – COOP 1101 completed prior to 30 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.33
· Environmental Protection Technology Diploma – Good academic standing
· Marketing Management Diploma – COOP 1101 completed prior to 30 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BA Criminology – COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BA Community Criminal Justice – COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BBA Accounting - COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BBA Entrepreneurial Leadership - COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BBA Marketing Management – COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BBA Human Resources Management - COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.7
· BTech in Information Technology - COOP 1101 completed prior to 75 program credits, minimum GPA of 2.5
3. Work Term Requirements
Work terms consist of a minimum of 420 hours of work per work term. These hours plus confirmed satisfactory competency assessment reports during the work term from their employer(s) indicate mastery of a work term semester.
For students with a declared co-op option, participation and enrolment in a co-op work term requires:
· Successful completion of COOP 1101; and
· Instructor permission; and
· Additional work term requirements as listed below
· Work Term Requirements:
· Computer Information Systems Diploma – completion of 30 program credits
· Environmental Protection Technology Diploma – Good academic standing
· Marketing Management Diploma – completion of 30 program credits including CBSY 1105, MRKT 1199 and one other MRKT course
· BA Criminology – completion of 45 program credits based on first year entry or admission to third year
· BA Community Criminal Justice – completion of 45 program credits based on first year entry or admission to third year
· BBA Accounting - completion of 45 program credits based on first year entry or admission to third year