Co-op information for undergraduate students
To qualify for acceptance into the Social Sciences Co-op Program as a political science student, you must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate students who meets the eligibility requirements.
You can apply for co-op in early September once you have completed your first year or later. If you are a senior student, you need to have room in your program to do at least one academic term after you complete your co-op work term(s). It is free to apply and takes about 20 minutes.
Shortly after the application deadline, you will be advised if you meet the eligibility requirements. If so, you will be enrolled in the Introduction to Professional Practice course which starts about 2 weeks after the application deadline. This course is mandatory and a requirement for admission into co-op. Your first possible work term will be the following term (January), or if you are an international student it will be when you have received your co-op work permit.
If you successfully complete three work terms you can graduate with co-op designation on your degree. You can also choose to do just one or two work terms, in which case you will receive a 'work experience' note on your transcript.
SARAH ATKINSON - FEATURED POLI CO-OP STUDENT 2020-21
 Sarah Atkinson |
Congratulations to Political Science undergrad student, Sarah Atkinson, who was nominated for a Co-op Student of the Year award for her work at the Canadian Embassy in China in Spring 2020. Sarah was recalled from her internship in China just a few weeks in, but continued to provide support remotely after returning to Canada, first from Victoria and then from Ottawa. Sarah won an honourable mention an honorarium for her incredible contributions to the workplace as a political science co-op student. |
Who hires Political Science co-op students?
Political Science Co-op students work in government, in private sector and for non-profit organizations in Victoria, across Canada, and beyond.
Some recent co-op organizations include: BC Ministry of Health Services, BC Ministry of Community and Rural Development, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Canadian Border Service Agency, Tourism Victoria, Neverblue Media Inc., POLIS Water Project Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA).
What type of work do Political Science co-op students do on their co-op terms?
Political Science students work in government, in private sector and for non-profit organizations in Greater Victoria, across Canada, and beyond. Co-op positions offer students work experience in research, policy analysis and development, project management, communitty development and media/communications.
Admission to and participation in co-op
To qualify for acceptance into the Social Sciences Co-op Program as a political science student, you must be a full-time student intending to declare a major in political science, who has a 5.0 GPA overall and a 5.0 GPA in political science.
You can apply for co-op in your second year or no later than the first term of your third year. You must also take Political Science 351 and achieve a B or better before your second co-op term.
The deadline to apply is September 15 and January 15 of each year. Pick up an application form from the Social Sciences Co-op office (DTB A102) or on the Social Sciences Co-op program website.
If you successfully complete the required number terms (currently four) you can graduate with co-op designation on your degree.
More information on the Undergraduate Co-op program is available in the University of Victoria Calendar.