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Graduate Co-op

Graduate Co-op is designed to provide graduate students the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience relevant to their field of study. With this program, graduate students in eligible programs will complete a full-time paid internship during one term.

Program benefits

The many benefits of participating in the Graduate Co-op include the opportunity to:

  • Gain real-world experience as you complete academic studies\research without adding time to your degree length
  • Build your professional network prior to the completion of your academic journey through employer and specialized workshops, site visits and networking events
  • Earn academic recognition on your transcript for completing work experience in your field of study
  • Acquire valuable experience in the Canadian labour market. International students accepted into the program will receive a special work permit in order to complete their internship 

Internship criteria

All internships must:

  • Be paid, full-time positions (minimum 35 hrs./week) that are relevant to your program of study
  • Start in September, January or May and last between 12 to 17 weeks
  • Not be supervised by a family member

Eligibility

Admission to the Institute is a competitive process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entrance into the Institute's offerings.

  • You are encouraged to apply to join during your first semester at Concordia, with applications typically closing the first week of that term. If you are applying after completing a term at Concordia, the minimum required CGPA is 3.3.
  • If you are in the John Molson School of Business of the Faculty of Arts and Science, you cannot have completed more than 15 credits at the time of your application.
  • If you are in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, you cannot have completed more than 16 credits at the time of your application.
  • You must be registered in a Concordia University graduate program which has a Graduate Co-op option:

  • Economics (Thesis)

  • Business Analytics and Technology Management (MSc)
  • Finance (MSc)
  • Management (MSc)
  • Marketing (MSc)
  • MBA
  • Goodman Institute of Investment Management (GIIM)
  • Supply Chain Management (MSCM)

  • Aerospace Engineering (MEng)
  • Building Engineering (MEng)
  • Civil Engineering (MEng)
  • Computer Science (MApCompSc)
  • Construction Engineering and Management (MEng) 
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering (MEng)
  • Environmental Engineering (MEng)
  • Industrial Engineering (MEng)
  • Information Systems Security (MEng)
  • Mechanical Engineering (MEng)
  • Quality Systems Engineering (MEng)
  • Software Engineering (MEng)

Required steps to complete the Graduate Co-op program

To successfully complete the Graduate Co-op program students must:

NOTE: Prior to the work term students must apply to, interview for, and be hired for an internship.

Student policies

  • Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.3

  • Students must maintain full-time status while they are a member of the Institute

  • Students must be physically located in Montreal the entire term prior to their internship in order to attend interviews with employers

  • With training, support and access to opportunities through the Institute, students are responsible for securing their internship 

  • Students are responsible for paying the fee associated with the offering they join

  • Students must complete a minimum of 2 study terms after admission to Graduate Co-op prior to their internship term 

  • Students may complete one internship only

  • Students may take a maximum of one course during their internship term (including one course over the entire summer term). They must obtain written permission from their employer and the course must not interfere with their internship, nor conflict with normal business hours 

  • Students cannot renege on an accepted internship offer. A student that refuses to undertake the internship will be withdrawn from the Institute and will receive a Fail grade on the work term course for that internship which appears on their transcript for the associated term.

  • Students must return to an academic term during which they are taking only academic credits after the internship term, the last semester at the university cannot be on an internship.

  • The Institute must approve all internships and all employers prior to a student accepting an offer 

  • Students who are not proficient in French must be willing to do their internship outside of Quebec 

  • Students must complete all training, academic, reflective learning and Institute requirements as directed


Note: Students are responsible for knowing the rules, regulations, policies and deadlines in the Graduate Calendar. The Institute is not responsible should students encounter any difficulties registering for academic courses, paying tuition and fees and/or applying for graduation.

 

All international students:

  • Are required to be registered in a full-time course load during academic terms, regardless of the above policies. International students must always refer to the International Students Office for all questions regarding course registration requirements, immigration, work visa, student status, etc.
  • International students will receive a letter of support from the Institute upon admission to the program in order to apply for their Co-op work permit. Students are responsible for completing the application process and obtaining the work permit as soon as possible
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