Program Details

• Why Participate?

  Experiential Learning

  • Gain industry experience in your chosen field.
  • Strengthen skills through practical application.
  • Figure out what you like or dislike about working in different settings.
  • Clarify career direction and define employment goals.
  • Increase motivation to understand the significance of course material.

  Paid Positions

  • Offset costs of your education.
  • Reduce your debt load.
  • Having co-op or internship experience on your transcript can help you get a higher starting salary upon graduation.

  Industry Connections

  • Enhance your resume with relevant technical and employability skills.
  • Develop valuable professional networks to assist in getting a grad job.
  • Build confidence in interacting with employers.
  • Acquire up to 12 months of pre-graduation experience towards the required 48 months for PEO Licensing
• How Do I Apply?

  You can select the co-op option when you apply to your program on the OUAC application, or once you are at Ontario Tech. You may apply to the co-op stream once you have completed first year with a minimum GPA of 2.3. Students in the co-op stream must pay co-op program fees and successfully complete the preparatory course ENGR 1000W - Professional Competencies for Engineers in their second year. This online course prepares students for their first co-op work term.

  Please note: If you are an International Student, you will require a co-op work permit. Please refer to the International Office to learn more about the co-op work permit. For additional information, you can contact your International Student Advisor.

• What is the Preparatory Course Requirement?

  Students in the co-op stream must successfully complete the preparatory course ENGR 1000W - Professional Competencies for Engineers. This online course prepares students to apply for their first work term, by assisting in resume writing, job applications and networking. It also prepares students for the workplace by serving as an introduction to professionalism covering a variety of topics such as communication, social and cultural diversity, creativity and project management.

  Transition Plan for the new Co-op Stream

  The new Engineering Co-op stream began in Fall 2022. 

  Students who have successfully completed a co-op work term prior to the Fall 2022 semester start are not required to complete the Professional Competencies for Engineers (ENGR 1000W) course. 

  Any student participating in a co-op work term for the first time after Fall 2022 is required to complete ENGR 1000W prior to beginning a co-op work term.

• When Can I Work?

  The Engineering Co-Op program at Ontario Tech offers flexible work terms.  You can go out for 4, 8, 12, or 16 month placements that start in January, May, or September.

  A co-op is a 4 month work term, usually taken in the Summer semester after completion of 2nd year. However, a co-op can occur in any academic term, so long as a student does not fall off their program map.

  An co-op internship consists of several co-op work terms back-to-back. A co-op internship can be 8, 12, or 16 months in length. It usually takes place after completion of 3rd year of a 4 year program, or after the completion of 4th year of a 5 year program.

  All students are encouraged to meet with both the co-op office and academic advising prior to starting a placement to ensure that by participating in a co-op placement they will not fall off their individual program map and be able to continue full-time studies upon their return from placement. Students are responsible to ensure that program requirements are met and that they stay on track with their program map. They are encouraged to utilize the resources available to them. 

  There are many different options for when to go out on a co-op work term. Depending on your individual program map, the most common sequences are below:
   

  View the accessible version of the table

• How to Enroll?

  All students must apply to the Student Life Portal to have their eligibility for co-op reviewed by the co-op office and to create a co-op record.  This portal allows students to access co-op job postings and upload co-op documentation.

  Follow the steps below to apply to the program:

  1. Visit Student Life Portal
  2. Click on Students/Student Login in the top right corner
  3. Log in with your student number and MyOntarioTech password
  4. Click on "Co-op & Internship" on the left-hand side
  5. Click on “+ Apply to a Program” on the upper right of the screen, and then choose your program from the list.
  6. Complete the application and submit
  7. After your application has been processed, you will be notified of the approved/declined decision.
  8. Once approved for the co-op program, you will be sent a change of program form to enroll in co-op through the Office of the Registrar (if you are not a direct entry co-op student).

  Note: Direct entry students who enter first year with co-op in their program (i.e. Engineering & Co-op), need to apply to the Student Life Portal in second year and meet all eligibility requirements. Students taking Comprehensive Engineering, must first declare a major, before submitting an application for the co-op stream. Please follow the change of program deadlines set out by the Office of the Registrar.