Co-op Program | Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change

What is Co-op?

Our optional Co-op Program offers EUC students a blend of academic learning and practical work experience. By alternating between full-time study and paid work terms, students gain valuable skills for future careers, finishing the program with 12-16 months of work experience.

Eligible students in Environmental Arts and Justice, Sustainable Environmental Management, Cities, Regions, Planning, or Global Geography, will develop field-specific knowledge and employability skills.

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The Co-op Pathway

Attend an Information Session and Declare Interest

Action:

How to Declare Interest in the Co-op Program:

Log in to Experience York using your Passport York (PPY).
From bottom right corner of the page, click on the action button (red circle with 3 dots)
Select “Submit a Form”
Then select “EUC Declaration of Interest”
Fill out the form and click “submit”

Why Attend an Info Session and Declare Interest

The application process to join the Co-op Program begins 1 year prior to the start of your desired work term as students are required to enrol in the Co-op Preparatory Course, EU/COOP 2001 in their second year of studies.

The Co-op Information Session will provide students an overview of the co-op application process, benefits of the program, eligibility requirements and important next steps.

A pass in the Co-op Preparatory Course will confirm student’s participation in the Co-op Program. This course has limited spots and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Submitting your interest does not guarantee a seat. However, students who declare their interest will have their eligibility pre-assessed. Those who meet the eligibility criteria will then be given an enrollment window to add EU/COOP 2001.

When to attend information session and declare interest in the Co-op Program:

Desired Co-op Work Term Start Date	Attend Info Session register via Experience York	Declare Interest	Take EU/COOP 2001
Summer 2026	Oct 16, 2025 – Nov 28, 2025	Apr – August 2025 Oct 2025 – Nov 28, 2025	Fall 2025* or Winter 2026
Fall 2026	Oct 16, 2025 – Nov 28, 2025 March 1, 2026 – April 25, 2026	Oct 1, 2025 – Nov 28, 2025 Mar 1, 2026 – Apr 25, 2026	Fall 2025 or Winter 2026
Winter 2027	July 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2025 Sep 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026	July 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2025 Sep 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026	Winter 2026* or Fall 2027

Students who are unable to attend the scheduled webinar information sessions can register to complete the information session via eClass and view videos asynchronously at a time that is convenient for them. View the schedule and register via Experience York (PPY log-in required).

* Strongly recommended

Requirement:

Must be enrolled in an Honours Program, in the following programs: Environmental Arts and Justice, Sustainable Environmental Management, Cities, Regions, Planning, or Global Geography

Have a GPA of 5.00 on the 9.00 scale (2.00 on the 4.00 scale) at the time you submit your interest. See York GPA Calculator.

Take EU/COOP 2001 3.00

Topics Covered in Course

Job search strategies
Resume and Cover letter writing
Effective communication skills for interviewing
Developing a professional image

Details

Graded on the pass/fail grading scheme.
Students who pass the course will receive formal confirmation of their participation the Co-op Program.
There is an additional $200 program registration fee associated with this course.
Delivered asynchronously online
Worth 3.00 elective credits

Prerequisite

Must be 2^nd year standing, completed at least 30 credits.
Must have a cumulative GPA of 5.00 on the 9.00 scale (or 2.00 or above on the 4.00 scale) for the co- op program.
Prior to self-enrolling in EU/COOP 2001, please review the Co-op Program Participation Terms and Conditions.

Notes:

To maximize the number of terms you can job search for a co-op, we recommend you take this course in the fall semester of your 2nd year of studies. For example, if you wish to start your first work term in Summer 2026, you should enrol in COOP 2001 3.0 in Fall 2025. This course enables you to prepare for the co-op job search effectively.
International Students: due to long processing times of Co-op Work Permit Applications with Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC), it is strongly recommended that students who wish to have their first work term begin in Summer 2026 enrol COOP 2001 3.0 in Fall 2025 to minimize delays in securing your Co-op Work Permit. Students who wish to start a work term in Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 can enrol in the course for Winter 2026.

Design Your Co-op Path

Action:

Pass EU/COOP 2001 to confirm Co-op Program enrolment by the end of the course.

Maintain full-time enrolment and academic requirements throughout the fall and winter terms prior to your desired Co-op work term.

Planning:

Please note: you cannot do a work-term in your final year of studies.

Meet with a Co-op Coordinator to discuss co-op plans and areas of interest. Develop co-op job search plan with guidance from a Co-op Coordinator.
Make your Schedule: Alternate between study and work to complete academic credits, Co-op courses, and 12-16 months of work.

Begin job search

Action

Co-op is a competitive process. While the Co-op Team supports you through continuously developing industry partnerships and opportunities as well as providing you job search support, you are responsible for securing a Co- op position by being proactive in your job search. Students accepted in the program will have access to Co- op Coordinators who will support them in their co-op job search. Book an individual appointment or attend a group drop-in session for resources and tailored support based on your needs.

Apply to jobs, attend interviews, participate in co-op employer and professional development events, and secure a position for the work term. Our Industry Partnerships team work continuously throughout the year to develop opportunities and employer partnerships that result in recruitment events and job postings in the Co-op Portal.

Resources

Attend workshops and events through the Experiential Education Office and York’s Co-Op and Career Centre to support your application process.

Support

Customized support from the Co-op & Experiential Learning Office is available. Group Drop-ins with break- out rooms, job search appointments and work term appointments are available for students throughout their active participation in the program.

Begin 1st Work Term

Action

Start your first co-op work period, a minimum 4 months (12-16 weeks) of full-time, paid work with an approved employer.

You will be automatically enrolled in EU/COOP 2109 0.00, the Co-op Work Term Course for your first Co-op work period. This course maintains your active student status in the program, monitors your performance and provides support for success during your work term.

Resources

Complete the performance evaluation process outlined in your Co-op Work Term Course EU/COOP 2109. Set Learning Goals, check-in with your Co-op Coordinator and seek feedback from your supervisor. Consult with your Co-op Coordinator for any work term concerns or questions. Review the On-the-job success resources provided by your Co-op Coordinator.

Continue your Co-op Journey

Action

Start your second Co-op work period. Complete 12-16 months of work terms, alternating with study terms.

Planning

You will be automatically enrolled in EU/COOP 3109 0.00, the Co-op Work Term Course, for your second co-op work period. This course maintains your active student status in the program, monitors your performance and provides support for success during your work term.

Complete your Co-op Journey

Action

End with a term of full-time study. (Minimum of 9.00 credits)

Complete EU/COOP 4001 3.00 to reflect on work experience and develop a professional portfolio.

EU/COOP 4001 Course Details

Delivered asynchronously online.

Worth 3.00 elective credits.

Outcome

Graduate with Co-op distinction on your diploma.

Co-op FAQs

Upon application to the program, students must meet the following requirements:

Enrolled full-time in one of the EUC eligible Honours Program: Environmental Arts and Justice; Sustainable Environmental Management; Cities, Regions, Planning; or Global Geography
Successful completion of at least 48 -60 credits prior to the start of the first work term
A CGPA of 5.0 on a 9.0 scale (2.0 on the 4.0 scale)
Enrolled in and/or successful completion of EU/COOP2001 3.0
- i. Enrollment in EU/COOP 2001 3.00 requires students to be eligible to take 2nd year courses, minimum of 24-30 credits earned
- ii. Please note, students’ admission to the Co-op Program will be confirmed after receiving a Pass grade in EU/COOP 2001.

Feature	Co-op	Placements/ENVS 4001
Work Term Duration	Two or more work terms totaling 12-16 months over the degree program	One work term
Position Type	Must be full-time, paid positions	Positions may be paid or unpaid
Eligibility Requirements	Must have 2^nd year standing to enroll in EU/COOP 2001 3.00. Students’ admission to the Co-op Program will be confirmed after receiving a passing grade in EU/COOP	Must have successfully completed between 60-90 credits.  Must be a 3rd-year honors student.
Work Term Course Requirements	EU/COOP 2109 3.00 (1st work term) and EU/COOP 3109 3.00 (2nd, 3rd and 4th work term)	ENVS 4001 3.00 during work term
Academic Standing	Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 on the 9.00 scale.	Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 6.0 on the 9.00 scale.
Additional Courses	EU/COOP 2001 3.00 and EU/COOP 4001 3.00 (during study periods, count as electives) Note: Students complete EU/COOP 4001 3.0 are deemed to have fulfilled 3.00 credits of capstone experiential education from the Faculty Requirement	None
Work Experience Earned	12-16 months of paid work experience	4- 6 months of work experience
Work Hours Requirements	420 hours per work term	120 or 240 hours
Academic Credits Earned	6 academic credits	3 or 6 academic credits
Distinction on Degree	Co-op notation on academic transcript	None
Can you enroll in other courses while working?	Maybe. With written permission from the Co-op Program, students may take one 3.0 credit academic course during each 4-month work term. The course must take place outside of the contracted hours of work. The course must not conflict in any way with the contracted hours of work or have on- campus involvement. The course must be offered during evenings, online (asynchronous) or weekends.	Yes

Yes, Co-op will extend your academic studies by at least 1-year to complete the required 12-16 months of employment. You cannot complete any Co-op work terms in your final year of studies

Application to the co-op program begins in the fall of the second year of studies. This enables students to begin their first co-op work period as early as the summer after completion of 2nd year, and ensures limited delay in your graduation. Upper-year students may not be eligible for co-op if they do not have enough credits remaining to meet all of the requirements to complete the program. Recognizing there may be unique circumstances, note that the Co-op & Experiential Learning Office assesses student applications on a case-by-case basis, so please reach out to us to discuss your situation

EU/COOP 2001 3.00 has standard tuition fee. There is a non-refundable Program Enrollment Fee of $200. This fee is to cover the costs of providing customized job search and career support to students in the program, including job development services and program administration.

The work term courses EU/COOP 2109 and EU/COOP 3109 are 0 credits courses that are $500* per work term. This fee is the same for domestic and international students. Standard tuition fees apply for EU/COOP 4001 3.0, taken in your final year, after completion of all work terms.

To ensure your success in the work term, the Co-op Program limits students on a work term in taking academic courses. You may take one course, at no more than 3.0 credits provided this course is a fully online course (asynchronous), or is scheduled outside regular business hours (evenings or weekends). Students must request permission prior to adding the course. Students on a work term who do not seek prior approval will be required to drop courses if they are on a work term.

Yes! However, international students will need to apply for a Co-op Work Permit. Upon admission to the Co-op Program, you will be required to apply for a Co-op Work Permit with IRCC. The Co-op Program will provide you with a Co-op Work Permit Supporting Letter to include in your application. Due to the long processing times of securing a Co- op Work Permit, we strongly encourage international students who wish to participate in the Co-op Program to self-assess their eligibility and enrol in the Co-op Prep Course,
EU/COOP 2001 3.0 as early as the fall term of their second year of studies.

For more information, please visit: International Student Co-op Permit

Yes! We are committed to providing an accessible co-op experience. Please reach out to your Co-op Coordinator to assist you in advocacy and meeting your needs while navigating the workplace. Students who are registered with SAS will have their full- time course load calculated based on York University’s Undergraduates with a permanent disability, which is at least 40% (At least 6 credits in each term).

Additionally, we highly encourage you to register with the Student Accessibility Office, f you have not already. They can provide support and information regarding your rights to reasonable accommodations in both school and work environments.

For more information: SAS Guide to Navigating Placements with Disabilities

Review the Co-op Program Terms and Conditions.

1-ON-1 Job Search Appointments and On-a-Work Term Appointments for Co-op Students

Registered Co-op students can book a job search or work term appointment with a Co-op Coordinator, including your designated faculty Co-op Coordinator, Joseph Cesario through Experience York. Instructions:

Log-in to Experience York
Select Co-op Program
Under My Co-op Program, select Appointments

DROP-IN ADVISING

Attend our regularly scheduled weekly group virtual drop-ins via Zoom and meet with our Co-op Student Success Mentor Lead and Co-op Coordinators. View the schedule on Experience York Events Page.

Contact Us

Email our office at euc_ee@yorku.ca

Book 1:1 Appointments with the EE Office

Interested in connecting? Contact our Experiential Education Coordinator: Thanh Dinh