What is Co-op?

Co-operative education at Algonquin involves a structured, academically integrated co-op program that provides students with meaningful, discipline-related work experience. The Co-op & Career Centre supports students through all three sequential stages of the co-op experience: preparation, search, and work.

• Co-op & Job Readiness Term
  Students participate in job readiness training and professional development activities, including career workshops, resume and interview preparation, workplace fundamentals, as well as orientation to co-op policies, expectations, and academic requirements.
• Job Search Term
  The department supports the recruitment process by developing and posting relevant job opportunities, organizing networking events, distributing applications to employers, coordinating interviews, managing job offers, and serving as a liaison between students, employers, and academic departments.
• Work Term(s)
  Students engage in full-time, paid, program-related employment for a minimum of 14 weeks (35+ hours per week), typically between study terms. The department ensures quality and accountability through workplace monitoring and ongoing communication with both students and employers. Program faculty review and evaluate work term assignments and assign the final co-op grade, ensuring the experience meets academic and learning outcomes.

Each work term is developed in partnership with the employer and approved by the institution as a suitable learning environment that supports student growth and career development.

Mandatory and Optional Co-op Programs

At Algonquin College, co-op is available in a variety of programs and may be either optional or mandatory, depending on the credential. For program-specific details, please visit our Co-op Programs page.

What’s the Difference Between Optional and Mandatory Co-op?

Optional Co-op Programs

Optional co-op programs give students the flexibility to choose whether they want to participate in co-op while completing their credential.

Once a student opts into an optional co-op program, all scheduled work terms become mandatory in order to continue in the co-op version of their program and graduate with a co-op designation.

• If a student decides not to continue with co-op, they may withdraw by submitting the Co-op Withdrawal Form.
• Students who withdraw, are no longer eligible, or do not complete all required work terms will continue their studies in the non-co-op version of their program.
• Students enrolled in optional co-op programs with multiple work terms must successfully complete each co-op work term to remain eligible for subsequent work terms.

Mandatory Co-op Programs

In mandatory co-op programs, co-op work terms are a required part of the curriculum. Students must complete all designated work terms to fulfill graduation requirements and earn their credential.

Co-op Student Benefits