How Does Co-operative Education Work?

Students alternate academic terms with work terms. Work terms are always paid and can take place in a professional industry, non-profit, private business, and public sector organization.

Students learn valuable career skills and an opportunity to test-drive a wide variety of career options. Students can also earn three credits per co-op work term and tuition is equal to that of a regular three-credit course at TRU.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are common questions, but don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any others

Co-op is a program that alternates between academic semesters and paid work experience.

Students are enrolled in a work term when they accept an employment offer from a co-op employer. Work terms are 4, 8, 12, or 16 months long. Work terms can be completed back to back or 4 months at a time. Each work term is evaluated as a suitable learning opportunity by TRU and students continue to communicate with TRU for the duration of their employment.

To achieve the Co-op designation at Thompson Rivers University, students must complete a minimum number of work terms in their degree. Students in a four-year degree program must complete a minimum of three work terms. Information may vary depending on one’s degree.

Check out Our Featured Co-op Jobs

Students can apply to Co-op jobs that are advertised through Career and Experiential Learning, or find their own work position and have it evaluated and approved as a co-op position. The position must demonstrate a suitable learning opportunity. Career and Experiential Learning supports students in finding work terms by communicating open positions. However, it is up to the student to follow through with the job search process to secure their own position.

For additional information on the co-op program visit tru.ca/cel