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Arts & Science Co-op

Work Term Sequencing

Work term lengths, changes, and impacts

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Your co-op degree requires completion of 11 terms – 2 or 3 work term semesters and 8 study/academic semesters. Your work term sequence is essentially a map of when your two or three work terms and your 8 academic terms requirements will be completed.

Work Term Sequences are selected during our sequence selection period in October. Prior to this selection period opening, you need to complete the Choosing Your Co-op Work Term Sequence online module on the Arts & Science Co-op Portal or attend a Sequence Selection seminar in October. Dates will be posted in Portal and sign up will take place on CSM.

The sequence selection period takes place the last week of October and first week of November. During this time all first year students have a chance to request the work term sequence of their choice. Final decisions are based on number of spaces and order of submission.

Depending on your program, you'll begin work after you complete three, four or five study terms. Your first work term can be in the Fall, Winter or Summer of your second year. Once work terms begin, they alternate with study terms until they've all been completed. 

Sequences assume you are: 

  • taking a full course load (2.5 FCE) 

  • studying each semester 

  • completing 4 month work terms 

If you're taking a reduced course load, taking a semester off, planning to participate in study abroad, etc., please inform us in your selection survey, and our Co-op Success and Program Coordinator. This will be taken into consideration when your work term sequence is created. 

Your work term sequence is specifically constructed so that it will always end on a study term. This not only gives you an opportunity to reflect on what you've learned over your work term, it also keeps us aligned with provincial regulations. Once the sequence is set, plan your studies in advance to meet all of your graduation requirements and follow your sequence.

You must complete all of your required work terms before reaching 18.5 FCEs.

Need some help planning your courses and how to meet your program academic requirements? Contact your Co-op Program Supervisor or Program/Course Advisor in your Academic Department or an Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising and Career Centre.

Possible Work Term Sequences

Work term sequences are set based on a 4-month work term length. If you secure a work term longer than four months, it will be considered more than one work term. For example, an 8-month co-op job is considered two work terms. First work terms can take place in the Fall, Winter or Summer of your second year.

For 3 work term programs, there are 7 standard sequences you can choose from. 

For 2 work term programs, there are 4 standard sequences you can choose from. 

Need help deciding? Review the Choosing Your Work Term Choosing Your Work Term Sequence Module on A&S Co-op Portal or attend a Choosing Your Work Term Sequence Workshop in October.  

3 Work Term Programs 

Below are sequence plans showing a first work term in Fall [Option Fall 4], Winter [Option Winter 4] or Summer [Option Summer 4]. 

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You can also plan for a 4 and 8 month option: 

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If you are in a 2 work term program [Arts, or Life and Psychological and Health Sciences admitted prior to Fall 2024], your work terms can look like this: 

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Resources to help with your planning:

  • Academic Advising and Career Centre