Graduate students

Maddy (MPA) spent a work term with the Union of BC Municipalities in Victoria.

Everything you need to know

Co-operative education can be an amazing addition to your Master's or doctoral studies. UVic is the largest provider of graduate co-op in Canada. More than 10 per cent of all UVic graduate students participate in co-op, and a third of co-op students are hired permanently by their former co-op employers after graduation.

• Co-op and Career: Guide for graduate students

How does graduate co-op work?

The co-op principles for graduate co-op are the same as for undergraduate co-op, but the details are a bit different:

• Master's students usually complete two four-month work terms instead of four
• Doctoral students usually complete three four-month work terms

Who can take part in co-op?

Graduate co-op is available to students in all program areas who are pursuing thesis and non-thesis or professional degrees. It's often available for students pursuing a post-baccalaureate diploma or an additional undergraduate degree.

If you're interested in taking part in co-op, contact your co-op program to decide if co-op is right for you. Your admission will be determined after consultation with your graduate adviser and department.

What about your graduate research?

Co-op can be a great way to make progress on your research project while gaining work experience. Students often arrange co-op work terms related to their final projects, theses or dissertations.

If you're already working closely with a faculty member or industry partner on a joint endeavor that is contributing to your research project, you may be able to count this as a work term. This arrangement would be at the discretion of your school or department and through consultation with your co-op coordinator and graduate adviser.

Academic credit

As a graduate student, you'll earn 3.0 units of credit for each co-op work term you complete. These credits won't replace the credits you need to complete your academic program; they'll go towards the co-op designation you'll receive on your degree. They'll also give you full-time student status during your work term, so you'll continue to have access to student services like the UVic bus pass and health care coverage.

Degree length

Co-op programs may increase the length of your graduate degree by up to 12 months, but you'll use this time to gain work experience that will put you ahead. Co-op graduates traditionally find permanent employment faster and receive a higher salary than non-co-op graduates.

Costs

All co-op students on work terms pay a co-op program fee, which is similar to a tuition fee. Your fee is due at the end of the first month of your work term.

• Co-op program fee for Canadian students (graduate): $612
• Co-op proram fee for international students (graduate): $726.24

What's the difference between the grad co-op fee and the grad installment fee?
The grad co-op program fee is different than the grad installment fee. If you are a grad student and register for a co-op work term, you'll pay the (a) grad co-op program fee and (b) the grad ancillary fees during that term.

If you register for a course (e.g. thesis 596 or 598) as well as a co-op work term in the same term, then you'll pay (a) the grad program fee, (b) the grad ancillary fees, and (c) the grad installment fee.