What is Co-op?

Co-operative education enriches the educational experience and prepares students for future employment through hands-on work experience as part of their degree program.

Students who take on co-op work terms through our co-op internship program are supported throughout their experience by our program staff, receive guidance from an industry mentor and are assigned a workplace supervisor.

Our program adheres to the best practices in co-operative education as outlined by CEWIL Canada. 

Our Program

Our Co-op Internship Program is an optional academic program available to domestic and international undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering who have finished their first year and have officially chosen their degree program area. It is administered by the College of Engineering Co-op & Career Centre.

  Co-op students can participate in activities and take advantage of services offered within the co-op program such as:

  • Career development sessions
  • Networking events
  • Access to our exclusive job board for co-op/internship jobs
  • Support throughout the co-op/internship job search process
  • Co-op student awards and bursaries

  Co-op students may take on one or more full-time, paid co-op work terms to enhance their degree. 

  • Earn a competitive salary
  • Gain valuable engineering work experience
  • Develop your professional network
  • Maintain full-time student status
  • If you complete 12-months or more of work experience through the co-op program, you will graduate with "Co-op Internship" on their parchment.

  Consider participating in the co-op program to:

  • Apply theoretical knowledge in a practical workplace environment
  • Develop essential skills in areas including communication, teamwork and problem solving
  • Finance your education and become more marketable to future employers
  • Potentially apply up to 12 months of pre-graduation work experience towards professional engineer designation requirements

How to Join the Program

  Introduction to Co-operative Education and Internship course (ECIP 200.1) is your gateway into the Co-op Program.

There is no official application required to join the co-op program. Instead, you will register for and learn the material in ECIP 200. Passing this course is your application into the program.

ECIP 200 is available to undergraduate students within the College of Engineering who have completed their first-year common core and have officially chosen their degree program area. It is an online, asynchronous course offered in the fall and winter academic terms. You will register for it at the same time you register for your other courses. 

It is recommended that you take ECIP 200 in your 2nd year of study so that you are prepared to take on a work term between your second and third year of studies.

  The next offerings of ECIP 200 will be: Winter 2025. 

Eligibility

  To join the co-op program, students must:

  • Be enrolled in the College of Engineering and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering program
  • Be in good academic standing as per the College of Engineering Academic Promotion and Standards Policy
  • Have completed the first-year common core of engineering and have officially chosen a degree program area
  • Have completed and passed Introduction to Co-operative Education and Internship course (ECIP 200.1)

  Once in the co-op program, students may take on a co-op work term if they:

  • Maintain their good academic standing
  • Have completed at least two years of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program at the time of first co-op work term
  • Return to studies following their co-op work term with at least 12 credit units of coursework remaining towards the requirements of their Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree
  • Are not registered in a capstone design course during the time of their co-op work term
  • Complete their degree program, including the time they are on co-op work term(s), in the timeframe outlined in the Undergraduate Degree Completion Timeframe Policy

Work Term Options

The first opportunity to do a co-op work term is from May to August following your second-year of study.

Subsequent work terms are permitted after you have completed at least one academic term of your third-year of studies. At this point, you may take on co-op work terms lasting 4-, 8-, 12-, or 16-months with start dates of January, May, or September.

You can customize your experience by combining work terms together. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with an academic advisor to find out how to plan their co-op work terms around their academics. Visit the Academic Advising webpage for more information.

Program Fees

Students who participate in the co-op program incur two types of fees which support the administration of the program.

Tuition Fees: Students are required to complete Introduction to Engineering Co-operative Internship course (ECIP 200.1) to join the co-op program, which is assessed as a category 7 tuition. Students who secure co-op work terms are assessed tuition fees during those work terms. Fees are assessed following registration in ECIP 400, ECIP 401, ECIP 402, ECIP 403, and ECIP 404, respectively. Each of these 400-level ECIP courses correspond to a four-month period of time.

Off-Campus Student Fees: Students who secure a co-op work term(s) are assessed off-campus student fees in September, January, May, and July while on work placement.

Student Testimonials

Ryann Kholman

Ryann Kohlman, 4th year civil engineering
Co-op student Nutrien

"My co-op internship has been memorable experience, and is one I would credit to being instrumental in shaping my future professional career. Being immersed in Saskatchewan's dynamic mining and heavy industry sector, I've acquired invaluable skills and ignited a passion that will certainly guide me post-graduation."


evaline_marshall

Eveline Marshall, 4th year environmental engineering
Co-op student City of Saskatoon

 “My role with Saskatoon’s Storm Water team was unexpectedly fulfilling, enhancing my engineering and interpersonal skills, and sparking a passion for water resource engineering through impactful flood mitigation work. I encourage all engineering students to pursue an internship.” 


avila_sebastian_basf

Sebastian Avila, 3rd year mechanical engineering
Co-op student BASF

“ During my time at BASF, I have gained valuable job experience. I have been fortunate to be involved in a diverse range of engineering projects, which I believe will greatly contribute to my future success, both professionally and personally.”

K+S Potash

Hoang Nguyen, 3rd year chemical engineering
Co-op student K+S Potash Canada GP

 “Working at K+S Potash Canada has given me the opportunity to connect with and learn from talented engineers and scientists, both in terms of technical work in solution mining and team collaboration. This co-op experience has been eye-opening, providing me with a clearer understanding of what industrial engineers do and what the industry offers.” 

Questions?

Feel free to contact us with any questions, and you are always welcome to stop by our Co-op & Career Centre at ENG 1A01. We are here to help!