Co-op Program

Co-operative Education is an academic program that integrates your studies with paid, career-related work experience. As a co-op student, you will be a productive member of the employer’s team of professionals. When you graduate with a co-operative education designation, you will have up to one full year of relevant work experience related to your chosen career.

To apply for the School of Business BBA Co-op Program, students must complete an online application found here. Please note that the application is not an automatic acceptance into the Co-op Program. Students may need to attend an interview with the Co-op Committee. Successful applicants will be notified by email.

Students are eligible to apply to the Co-op Program once they have completed all prerequisite courses listed in the Academic Calendar.

Please reach out to the School of Business at business@nipissingu.ca for additional information.

Yes, all work terms that students complete through the Co-op Program are required to be paid, full-time positions that last a minimum of 12 weeks (for a 4-month work term) and provide at least 420 hours of work placement experience.

Students complete a maximum of three (3) work terms, each lasting about the length of a semester (minimum 12 weeks of work each). Cumulatively, students gain up to one full year of professional work experience related to their studies through completing the Co-op Program before they graduate.

Students can customize the timing of their work terms to best fit within their academic studies, while following program structure requirements in place. Students’ first work term can be completed as early as the May-August term the year they join the program.

Due to requirements from the national body governing co-op programs, CEWIL, all co-op students are required to complete at least one of their work terms during either a Fall or Winter semester. In addition, students cannot finish their time at Nipissing on a work term - i.e., their final term before graduation must be an academic term. For some students this does mean that adding co-op into their program may extend their graduation.

No. You will not be permitted to register for any courses (on campus or online) during the semester you are on a Co-op Work Term.

Each work term is considered an academic course and is noted on a student’s transcript with a Pass or Fail grade.

Once accepted into the School of Business BBA Co-op Program, students will be given access to view and apply to positions posted by employers seeking to hire Co-op students. Students are also able to find their own opportunities, which they can submit to the School of Business for approval as a work term.

Yes. Once an employer has offered you a job and you have accepted the offer, either verbally or in writing, you will not be allowed to participate in any further interviews.

Normally, there are three periods when co-op work terms begin: Fall (September), Winter (January), or Summer (May). These positions will be posted as they become available, but they will usually be posted 3-4 months before the start of the work term.

If a student requires a leave of absence from the School of Business BBA Co-op Program, they should notify the School of Business as soon as possible. Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If a student needs to take time off during a work term, they must seek pre-approval from their employer. Students should always ask early, be definitive with dates, have a plan for how their responsibilities can be covered while away, and explain how they will make up for the time taken off.

Work terms will be located in and around the North Bay and Sudbury area, other regions throughout Ontario, including northern and southern Ontario and across Canada. Please note that some roles will be virtual.

Students can connect with the School of Business at business@nipissingu.ca or Director, School of Business at prasadr@nipissingu.ca if they have any questions about the program.

You are not guaranteed a co-op position. Co-op is competitive. However, the School of Business BBA Co-op Program will help you.

Students in the School of Business BBA Co-op Program will earn at least the minimum wage of the Province that they are working in. However, employers will ultimately determine the wage that will be offered to the student, which could be higher than minimum, depending on the field and employer.

Yes, you are expected to submit a work term report. This report will be submitted through to the School of Business and will be reviewed by the Co-op Committee.

The School of Business BBA Co-op Program costs the same as the BBA program, with the exception that you take three additional Co-op courses.