Co-operative Education (Co-op) is where students gain relevant work experience while they are earning their degree.
Upcoming online Co-op Info Sessions! Get your questions answered:
Link for all sessions: meet.google.com/iuk-rjsx-
Please note: The Computer Science Co-op program is now full. Click here to add your name to the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, Career Services will notify you.
What can Co-op do for you?
- Obtain industry-related work experience: Gain program-relevant experience and skills with the opportunity to work in different roles with a variety of employers
- Develop job search skills: Learn how to write professional resumes and cover letters, how to conduct a successful job search and hone interviewing skills (in person, telephone or video) that stand out to employers
- Build a career network: Grow your professional network through on-the-job interactions, networking, employer panels and work term mentorship
- Gather insight into career options: Through our exclusive job board, you can explore a multitude of opportunities and organizations related to your degree
- Increase your chances of getting your first job after graduation: many employers hire their work term students or hire students that have gained experience through their work terms
Students who graduate with Co-op work experience:
- Have higher employment rates
- Get careers related to their education
- Earn more than other graduates
The Co-op program has provided me with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the reality of the accounting industry. During my time in the program I made friends, memories and professional connections that I will carry with me for years to come. This experience has given me confidence in my abilities and has solidified my choice of career. The skills that I have learned will continue to benefit me for the entirety of my professional life, not to mention that without the Co-op program, I likely wouldn't have a job waiting for me post-graduation.
- Ethan Snidal
Fourth-year BBA, Accounting Co-op student
What is the Co-op journey?
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Complete the course COOP 0001
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Search and apply for work experience jobs (including those on our exclusive job board)
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Students complete up to three 4-month work terms
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Additional work terms are not available/offered. You must end on an academic semester
- Students who complete three 4-month work terms will receive a Co-operative Education designation on their parchment
For additional information, see below, or email workexperiencejobs@mtroyal.ca
Admission requirements:
- Students must be registered as a full-time student in either:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Accounting
- Finance
- General Management
- Human Resources
- International Business
- Marketing
- Social Innovation
- Supply Chain
- Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher upon application
- Completed fewer than 90 course credit hours (generally, students apply in their first or second year)
Students are encouraged to apply during their first or second year.
Apply early through My Career Hub. Log into MyCareerHub (using your MyMRU username and password) and click on ‘Work Experience’ in the navigation menu to access the list of Co-op programs accepting applications.
Once you have applied, you can view your status online and will receive an email within 10 business days with notification of official admission status.
How many Co-op programs can I apply for?
Our system only allows students to apply for one Co-op program. If you change your mind and would like to choose a different Co-op program, changes can only be made if space is available in the other Co-op program..
Is it possible to be conditionally accepted to the Co-op program?
Yes - there are two reasons why a student can be conditionally accepted to the Co-op program:
- Your Bachelor of Business Administration status is pending (requires proof of BBA admission);
- Your Bachelor of Science - Computer Science status is pending (requires proof of admission);
- You are in your first semester of studies and do not yet have proof of your 2.5 or above GPA status
Before your status can be changed from ‘conditionally accepted’ to ‘admission accepted’, you will need to provide additional documentation to Career Services
What browser should I use when I submit a Co-op application?
We encourage you to use Google Chrome as your browser when submitting a Co-op application.
How do I access my Program Audit Worksheet?
Students are required to submit a copy of their program audit worksheet with their Co-op application. The program audit worksheet is reviewed by a Career Services team member to ensure that the student meets the admission requirements.
To access a copy of your program audit worksheet:
- Log into the MyMRU portal
- Click on the My Program tab
- Look for the mruGradU8 box towards the bottom of the page and click on the link to log into mruGradU8 to access your program audit worksheet
- To save your program audit worksheet, click on the printer icon at the top of the document and change the destination to "save as pdf".
Note: your program audit worksheet is not your unofficial transcript
I recently transferred to Mount Royal University and my Program Audit Worksheet says that my GPA is 0.0. What document should I submit with my Co-op application?
Transfer credit course work is not included in the calculation of your GPA at Mount Royal University. If you are applying for the Co-op program, please submit the following as a single PDF document: 1) copy of your program audit worksheet and 2) a screenshot of your GPA and course credit hours completed at the post-secondary school that you transferred from.
I’m an international student, what else do I need to do if I’m accepted to the Co-op program?
Once accepted to the Co-op program, an international student needs to contact their Career Services Coordinator to request a letter to confirm that they are in the Co-op program. This should be done as soon as possible as you will need this letter to apply for a work permit from the Federal Government.
I have completed more than 90 course credit hours and don’t qualify for the Co-op program. Are there any other options for me?
If you are too far along in your program and don't meet the admission requirements for the Co-op program, we encourage you to meet with a coordinator to discuss how you can gain valuable experience outside of the Co-op program. To book an appointment, log into MyCareerHub using your MyMRU login credentials.
Once accepted into the Co-op program:
- You will receive an acceptance email
- You will need to register and pay tuition fee for the Orientation to Co-operative Education (COOP 0001) course
All Co-op students pay tuition fees for each stage of the Co-op program. The Orientation to Co-operative Education course and the three Co-op work terms are all non-credit courses with fees that need to be paid prior to the start of the course. For every work term a student secures, they will be registered in a Co-op course that will allow them to maintain full-time student status with the University.
Course | Tuition |
Orientation to Co-operative Education (COOP 0001) | $282.90* |
Work Term 1, 2, 3 | $565.82* per paid work term |
*Based on the 2021/22 fee schedule. Fees are subject to change.
Consult the MRU Tuition and Fee Schedule for more information.
This course will help you with a successful work term, and increase your skills for all of your future work searches. The course includes:
- Identify your strengths - self assessment
- Build professional profile - cover letter, resume, portfolio, online presence
- Increase your confidence in presentation - interview coaching and conduct a mock interview with an industry professional
- Job search - how to develop and execute a successful job search
- Connections with industry - we bring industry professionals into the classroom to learn about the world of work through employer panels, networking sessions, mock interviews
- Business etiquette - how to navigate the workplace
You are supported throughout your work term by a Work Experience Coordinator. This coordinator is there to help you with any questions or support you as you navigate through your work term.
Examples include: Work Term Check-In Meeting - half way through your work term your coordinator will check in with you, and Huddles - connect with other Co-op students and share your experiences.
- Each successfully completed work term will be awarded an Experiential Pass (EP) grade.
- Each work term consists of 450 hours, completed in one semester.
- You can complete up to three work terms. Completing three four-month work terms will earn you a Co-operative education designation on your degree parchment
Can I end the Co-op program on a work term?
All Co-op students must end the Co-op program with an academic semester.
Am I considered a full-time student when I am completing a Co-op work term?
Students completing a Co-op work term are considered a full-time student by the Office of the Registrar.
Am I eligible for the student health benefit plan during a Co-op work term?
Students are not eligible for the student health benefit plan during a Co-op work term. A Co-op work term is a non-credit course and the Student health benefit plan is only available to full-time students registered in 9 or more credits per semester.
Am I eligible for the UPass during a Co-op work term?
Students are not eligible for the UPass during a Co-op work term. A Co-op work term is a non-credit course and the UPass is only available to full-time students registered in 9 or more credits per semester (i.e. fall and winter semesters).
How will being a part of the Co-op program affect my student loan or awards/scholarships?
Students are eligible to apply for student loans for their work terms. Please contact Financial Aid if you are going to complete a work term in the Spring/Summer semesters because there is a different way for students to apply for funding due to different course dates.
For questions about student loans, please contact financialaid@mtroyal.ca. For questions about awards/scholarships, please contact awards@mtroyal.ca.