Arts and Science Co-op


Arts and Science Co-op Contact: askcoop@utoronto.ca
Arts & Science Co-op Student Success & Program Coordinator:  C. Dixon coopsuccess.utsc@utoronto.ca
Academic Program Supervisor & Program Advisor: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/artscicoop/faculty

The Arts & Science Co-op Programs offer co-op across 12 academic departments for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. Co-op programs combine academic studies with paid work experience (two or three work terms - depending on your area of co-op Specialization or Major). Work terms are four, eight, or twelve months in duration and can be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), across Canada, or internationally. There are over 30 program streams to choose from across the Arts & Science disciplines. For information about the benefits of Co-op, program areas, co-op fees and services, and work term opportunities, please visit the Arts & Science Co-op website: https://utsc.utoronto.ca/artscicoop/

Full Year/Trimester Programming

The Arts & Science Co-op programs operate on a trimester schedule, featuring three terms (Fall, Winter, and Summer) in each calendar year. Students work or study in all three terms for four years or until graduation requirements are met. Each Arts & Science Co-op program requires eight four-month terms of study and two or three work terms (depending on co-op program of study). Students normally begin with three to five study terms (Fall, Winter, and Summer), then alternate study and work terms. Students always conclude their degree with a study term.

Program Requirements

Co-op students follow the course requirements of one of the Specialist or Major programs offered by the Arts & Science Co-op Department. Students are advised to consult regularly with the Academic Program Supervisor or Advisor if they have course selection and scheduling questions. 

For questions about Co-op courses and work term sequences, students can contact the Co-op Student Success & Program Coordinator.

It is the students' responsibility to ensure they have completed the correct courses to make them eligible for each work term and they have correctly completed program and degree requirements for graduation.

Status in Co-op Programs

Status in an Arts & Science Co-op program will be determined at the end of each session (Fall, Winter, and Summer) for students who have attempted at least 4.0 credits since beginning their studies at UTSC or in other Arts and Sciences Divisions at the University. Students with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 or higher are considered in good standing.

  • Students whose CGPA falls below 2.5 will be placed on probation.
  • Students may clear probation by achieving a CGPA of 2.5 or better in the next study session. Where the CGPA is below 2.5 but above 2.3, and the sessional grade point average (SGPA) is at least 2.5, students may be granted a second probationary semester.
  • Students must clear their probation within a maximum of two study sessions in order to remain in a Co-op program.
  • Students on probation in the Co-op program may not apply for a work-term until they have successfully cleared their probation. However, if a student's CGPA falls below 2.5 after having secured a co-op work-term through the recruitment process, the student will be permitted to complete the work term but must clear probation before being permitted to participate in the next recruitment process.
  • Students whose CGPA falls below 2.3 will be removed from the Co-op program.

For information on fees in Co-op programs and certification of completion of Co-op programs, see the 6B.5 Co-operative Programs section in the Calendar.

Eligibility for Work Terms

While remaining in the Co-op program requires a student to have a minimum CGPA of 2.5, each academic program has specific work term eligibility requirements. The student's responsibility is to ensure that they have completed the correct courses to make them eligible for a work term and have correctly completed program and degree requirements for graduation. 
Note: You are automatically enrolled in seeking and on work term  Co-op courses by the Arts & Science Co-op Office based on your program area/subject POSt and work term sequence. Preparation courses (COPB50H3 and COPB51H3) are self-enrolled, and students can enroll for these during regular course enrollment periods.

First Work Term Eligibility Requirements

To compete for a work term, a student must:

  1. Maintain a minimum of 2.5 CGPA;
  2. Successfully Complete Co-op Work Term Preparation courses COPB50H3 and COPB51H3 and Work Term Seeking courses COPB52H3 (and COPB53H3 if needed);
  3. Be legally entitled to work in Canada - Have a valid co-op work permit (International Students) and Social Insurance Number;
  4. Be in a Co-op Subject POSt; 
    Note: Students admitted to a Co-op Degree POSt in their first year of study must request a Co-op Subject POSt on ACORN upon completion of 4.0 credits and must meet the minimum qualifications for entry as noted in the academic program sections the Calendar. Complete the minimum required number of credits by the end of their job search semester, depending on their program of study (7.0 credits, 9.0 credits, or 10.0 credits), and have less than 18.5 credits.
  5. Complete specific academic courses required before a first work term.

For details on points 4 and 5 above, view the academic program sections of the Calendar linked below.

Second Work Term Eligibility Requirements

  1. Maintain a minimum of 2.5 CGPA for Co-op;
  2. Successfully Complete Co-op Work Term Preparation course COPC98H3 and 0.5 credit on work term course from the list below: COPC01H3, COPC03H3, COPC05H3, COPC13H3, COPC14H3, COPC20H3, COPC30H3, OR COPC40H3;
  3. Have less than 18.5 credits;
  4. Be legally entitled to work in Canada - Have a valid co-op work permit (International Students) and Social Insurance Number;
  5. Be in a Co-op Subject POSt.

Third or Additional Work Term Requirements

  1. Maintain a minimum of 2.5 CGPA for Co-op; 
  2. Successfully Complete Co-op Work Term Preparation course COPC99H3 and 1.0 credit on work term courses (COPC01H3, COPC03H3, COPC05H3, COPC13H3, COPC14H3, COPC20H3, COPC30H3, OR COPC40H3;
  3. Have less than 18.5 credits;
  4. Be legally entitled to work in Canada - Have a valid co-op work permit (International Students) and Social Insurance Number;
  5. Be in a Co-op Subject POSt; 
  6. Approval from the Co-op Office for additional work terms beyond your program minimum.