Introduction to the Co-op Program

Cooperative education at the University of Toronto at Scarborough works with students to create a balanced learning experience with high academic standards and an opportunity to test theoretical knowledge through work term placements.

What is Cooperative Education?

The cooperative programs offered by the University of Toronto at Scarborough formally integrate a student's academic studies with work experience by alternating periods of experience in appropriate fields with periods of full-time study within a four-year honours degree program.

Each work situation is developed and/or approved by the Co-op Coordinators. The student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing others. The student's progress on the job is monitored by a coordinator, and the student's performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer. The total amount of cooperative work experience is the equivalent of 12 months, usually divided between 3 work terms of 4 months each.

Student Benefits

Co-op education is one of the best ways to get around the "catch-22" that faces most students: "You need experience to get a job - but you need a job to get experience." Co-op education provides that opportunity to gain valuable work experience before a student graduates. This cumulative work experience becomes a valuable asset when it is time to pursue a full-time career. In addition, the experience gained is normally related to the student's chosen area/field of study.

Co-op students are paid for the work they perform, which may help them to pay for their education and related expenses.

Co-op education also provides an opportunity to "test the waters" in a chosen field. Working in a setting that is related to an area of study helps students decide whether this is something they really want to do as a career. Co-op students develop a more realistic understanding of the expectations and requirements of their chosen field by having the opportunity to evaluate and assess the suitability of their career choice before entering the work force full-time. Students learn more about the expectations and needs of employers. They develop a realistic outlook, improve their communication and interpersonal skills, and become more mature and independent.

Some students find that the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and classroom learning makes academic studies more interesting and increases their motivation to excel. Co-op students will generally understand the importance of "life-long learning" and the value of continually upgrading their marketable skills.

Course Selections

All Co-op Management students should refer to the current Calendar tips on course selection. Any specific questions not answered by the calendar, should be directed to your Program advisor, Shehna Javeed , at mgmtss@utsc.utoronto.ca

All students in a Management Co-op program complete a 4-year Specialist degree. You have some flexibility in your course selection. The courses listed below are required, along with a total of 7 FCEs, prior to the first work term:

• ECMA04H & ECMA06H (or ECMA02)
• MGTA03H & MGTA04H (or MGTA02Y)
• MGTB05H & MGTB06H
• CSCA02H & MATA27H

For students admitted in or after the 2005/6 Academic Year, MGTC36H is required to be completed prior to your second work term.

3rd and 4th year students have the option of selecting one of the following streams:

• Accounting
• Economic Data Analysis
• Finance
• Human Resources Management
• International Business
• Marketing
• Public Management
• Strategic Management

Stream Courses - Students should carefully review the detailed information about the stream selection in the UTSC Calendar. For detailed registration instructions and courses required for each stream, please see the registration guide published by the Registrar's Office.

Students must complete eight 4-month study terms for a total of 20 FCEs and must successfully complete three work terms (minimum of 3 months each) for Specialist Certification upon graduation. Your work terms should be completed before you finish your 20 credits, as you cannot graduate on a work term. Before applying for your first work term, make sure you have the mandatory prerequisites listed in the Calendar.

Students should carefully plan their courses well in advance to minimize course selection difficulties.

Employment Standards

Ontario Health and Safety Act (OSHA)

• All co-op students are covered by provisions about health and safety while on their work terms. The employers have responsibilities to workers with regard to their safety and well-being.

Workers' Compensation Act (WC)

• Co-op students are entitled to Workers' Compensation on the first day of the job and as soon as they are registered on the payroll. The employer handles the cost of this benefit. Students are eligible to receive 90% of net average earnings up to a maximum, which is subject to change. If a student is injured on the job, he or she is entitled to the WC payments and any medical costs such as doctor's bills, medication, etc. are the responsibility of the Workers' Compensation Board.

If you are injured during a work term, inform the Coordinators immediately.

Sexual Harassment

• As a student at the University of Toronto, you are both protected by and obligated to comply with the Sexual Harassment Policy. When you are on work term and therefore outside the University, the University's agreement with its partners in the co-op program ensures that you will be treated fairly in accordance with University policies while you are in placements. In addition, you are covered by relevant local rules, including local human rights laws and policies on sexual harassment. If you feel that you have been a victim of sexual harassment, please contact a Coordinator or the Co-op Director - in the interests of other students, we will need to follow up on the incident with you (confidentially). For more information, advice, or assistance contact the Sexual Harassment Officer, Paddy Stamp at (416) 978-3908.

Liability and Health Insurance

• The University of Toronto has a general liability insurance policy, which covers all registered students. This also applies to all co-operative education students who work outside of the University as part of their course requirements. This policy insures against damages that a student may cause to his/her employer through inadvertent acts of negligence while on the job. Intentional acts are not covered by the policy. If an employer requires confirmation of coverage, contact the University of Toronto Insurance and Risk Department.
  
  
• All University of Toronto students who are registered as part-time or full-time students and have paid their incidental fees, are covered under the APUS or SAC Health Plans, respectively. Because co-op students are required to be full-time students, they are normally covered by the SAC Health Plan. However, if they are registered in fewer than 4.0 courses in the Winter and Fall sessions, as might happen if they have a fall or spring placement, they are covered by the APUS Plan.
  
  
• Co-op students who have paid incidental fees in the fall are covered by the relevant plan while on work terms. That is, if a student is on a work term in any of the fall, spring, or summer terms, but has registered in the fall and paid incidental fees, he/she is covered during the work term. However, students who for any reason do not pay incidental fees in the fall would not be covered; for example, a student doing a double work term in the fall and spring might not have registered and paid incidental fees. Students in this position have the option of applying for APUS insurance coverage. Students who wish to consider this option can obtain further information and an application form from the APUS website.
  
  
• Students who will be outside Ontario during their work terms are advised to check their status under OHIP. Those going abroad may find that additional private insurance coverage is advisable. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange this coverage.

Site Visits

After approximately 7 weeks, the Co-op Office will send out an email to you and your employer requesting that they set up a time to visit with a Coordinator. We encourage you (the student) to remind your employer to schedule a visit or offer to schedule it yourself on their behalf. If you are on an 8-month work term, your visit will take place around the 4-month mark.

In addition, the Coordinator will meet with the student individually to discuss any needs or concerns, ensure that everything is okay, and to consider options for the next work term. The site visit is most important in a student's first work term.

Evaluations

Both the mid-term and final evaluation forms can be downloaded from this website. The mid-term evaluation form can be submitted during the site visit. The completed final evaluation form can be faxed at (416) 287-7262 or e-mailed (mgmtcoop@utsc.utoronto.ca) to the Co-op Office. Submission of the final evaluation form is mandatory.

Future employers may want to see previous evaluations of students as part of the reference-checking process. Some organizations have their own evaluations. In this case, company evaluations can be submitted instead of or in addition to the final evaluation form provided by our office.

Finding Information

If you have questions, we have answers! Here is a guideline of how to approach your Co-op Program questions effectively:

Read the Calendar and the Co-op Agenda Book FIRST

Most concerns regarding Co-op Management Programs are directly addressed in the UTSC Calendar or the Co-op Agenda Book (handed out free of charge to all Co-op students in September of each year). The most accurate and concise resource is the calendar, but the Agenda Book is also very helpful.

Check the Website and Encore (Intranet)

The website is updated on a regular basis and contains information about news and upcoming events, regulations and procedures, and contact information. If you are reading this page then you have already found the handy Student Manual! The Intranet houses a wealth of information about campus and Co-op happenings. Job postings, deadlines, interview schedules and other details can be found here. If in doubt or if you have questions, contact the Co-op Office at (416) 287-7111 or e-mail mgmtcoop@utsc.utoronto.ca

The Co-op Resource Room (MW 275) serves as a "Drop-off Centre" for résumés, work term reports, mid-term and final evaluations and change of address forms.

For any matters relating to job placements/descriptions, deadlines, employer relations and job searching, please direct your questions to one of our Coordinators.

For general questions, suggestions and concerns about the program as well as sequencing please contact the Program Director, Christine Arsenault.

Questions about work term projects should be directed to Professor James Howard, Report Evaluator, (416)361-0666

General questions about required courses, when to take them and the respective prerequisites are all listed in the calendar. Only specific concerns about your program and stream should be directed to:

Syed Ahmed , Supervisor of Studies, Management 416-287-7340, Room MW-234, ahmed@utsc.utoronto.ca

NOTE:

After earning 4 FCE you must apply to a program (regardless of whether you were admitted to the program directly from high school). Information about course selection and requirements can be found in your course calendar issued by the registerar's office. You can access an online version of the calendar here.

Before applying for your first work term, make sure you have the mandatory prerequisites (see calendar).