Graduate co-op program
The Department of Economics is the only department within the Faculty of Arts and Science offering the Co-op option to its MA students.
Pathway to career growth
A career-enhancing experience, students in the MA Co-op program must complete a single internship lasting between 4 and 8 months. There is flexibility around course loads during study terms, including the summer. Any leave of absence, however, requires approval from the Co-op Academic Director.
Academic performance and internship search
Co-op students must have a strong foundation in Economics. Students must actively search for internships; failure to do so will result in removal from the program. The Co-op program provides the tools, but securing an internship is the student’s responsibility.
Pursuing a PhD after the Co-op program
Work experience provides valuable insights into economic issues and hands-on experience with data, which can even inspire thesis ideas. Many MA Co-op graduates move on to PhD studies and report that their internship experience was valuable in their academic work. Engaging in applied work can enhance your overall academic experience.
Program sequence
The most common sequence starts Co-op in the second term, with students completing career preparation in Winter, searching for jobs in Summer, working in Fall, and returning to coursework in Winter/Summer based on internship length. Students meet with the Co-op Academic Director to plan their study/work sequence.
