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Concordia University Concordia celebrates 50 years!

Institute for Co-operative Education

Institute for Co-operative Education

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 one full-time paid internship during one term.

Overview

Graduate Co-op gives students one paid work term in their field of study. You may choose between a work term of 4 months or 8 months.

Here's how it works:

  • Become a member of the Institute
  • Complete at least two study terms as a member of the Institute
  • Attend employer events and industry visits while you're a member of the Institute 
  • Attend Institute Welcome Orientation and Program Orientation sessions
  • During your second study term (at the earliest), secure an internship
  • Successfully complete the Institute's required learning activities 
  • Complete training modules on internship and career success

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

Program benefits

The many benefits of participating in 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 

Eligibility

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

  • You must be registered in a Concordia University graduate program which has a Graduate Co-op (listed below).
  • You are encouraged to apply to join during your first term at Concordia; applications typically close the first week of the term. 
    • If you apply after completing a term at Concordia, the minimum required CGPA is 3.3.

The following John Molson School of Business graduate programs offer a Co-op option. You cannot have completed more than 15 credits at the time of your application. 

The following Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science graduate programs offer a Co-op option. You cannot have completed more than 16 credits at the time of your application.

The following Faculty of Arts and Science graduate program offers a Co-op option. You cannot have completed more than 15 credits at the time of your application. 

How to apply

Applications to join Graduate Co-op are reviewed twice a year for Fall and Winter admission.

The next Graduate Co-op application period is open from August 17, 2025 to September 7, 2025, inclusive.

All eligible students are welcome to apply.

For graduate students in the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) and Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science (GCS)

For Economics MA students

CV – for all students applying in all faculties

As the final step in your application form, you will be required to complete your CV using the Institute's template and submit it with your application. Assessment will be based on your ability to follow the template. The content of your CV will not impede or improve your eligibility.

All members of the Institute must use this CV template when applying to internships through the Institute.

Note: To maintain the integrity of the template, please open and complete the template in the Word desktop application (not in Word online in a browser window).

Please note

  • Late submissions will not be possible.  
  • Incomplete submissions will not be considered.  
  • The Institute is unable to reply to individual emails regarding the status of an application. Decisions will be sent via email within 3 weeks of the application deadline.
  • Admission is highly competitive, and admission is not guaranteed regardless of academic performance. Decisions will not be changed.  

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

Student policies

  • Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.3.

  • Students must maintain full-time status during the Fall and Winter terms, as defined by the graduate calendar, while they are a member of the Institute.

  • Students must be available and accessible to attend interviews with employers during their scheduled search term. This includes being able to respond promptly to interview requests and attending all interviews in the formats required by employers (e.g., virtual or in-person where possible). 

  • 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 (semesters) 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 work 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. In order to take a course at the same time as a work term, students must indicate on their change of sequence form which course they will be enrolled in and how many credits they will receive for the course (ex. COMP 6231-3 credits).

  • 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 ISO’s Co-op & Internships work permits page for all questions regarding course registration requirements, immigration, work permit, 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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