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Co-operative Education at Markham

Markham campus offers an optional Co-operative (Co-op) program, allowing undergraduate students to gain paid, full-time work experience during their degree.

This experiential education helps you:

  • Apply what you learn in the classroom.
  • Build a professional network.
  • Explore career paths.
  • Gain valuable skills for employment or further studies.

Quick Links

PREREQUISITE

Complete Co-op Prep Course or Co-op Modules (see program specific information below)

APPLICATION OPEN

Fall 2025 (October 2025)

EARLIEST WORK TERM

May 2026 (First Available Work Term: Summer 2026)

DURATION

Minimum 2 Terms (8 months) up to 16 months

Students in boardroom business casual

What Is Co-op and Is It Right for You?

The Co-op program provides students with a dynamic combination of academic study and hands-on, paid work experience. Through alternating terms of full-time coursework and full-time employment, students develop practical skills and professional insight, graduating with at least 8 months of real-world experience. Students enrolled in eligible programs have the opportunity to gain meaningful, paid field experience that enhances their career readiness.

Timeline for 2025-2026

The timeline for you to participate in this Co-op opportunity is as follows:

Fall 2025

Apply to Co-op program (pay program enrolment fee $200)

Apply now

Winter 2026

Access job board, apply and 
interview for jobs

Summer 2026

Start co-op position; automatic enrolment  in Co-op work term course and PD Courses*

Learn how to apply to York University’s Co-op Program, including the key application steps.

* Review York University’s Co-op Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) for details on student responsibilities throughout the co-op program.

Program Requirements

Degree Programs

CSSD (Lassonde School of Engineering) Click here for more information.

Creative Technologies (AMPD)

Communication, Social Media & Public Relations; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Financial Technologies, Sport Management (LA&PS)

Prerequisite

CSSD 2061

Co-op Preparatory Modules and Workshops

  1. Co-op Information Session
  2. Resume Fundamentals
  3. Interview Fundamentals

Co-op Preparatory Modules and Workshops

  1. Co-op Information Session
  2. Resume Fundamentals
  3. Interview Fundamentals

Academic Requirements
  1. Honours, Full Time Status and Required Credits: Enrolled full-time in the Honours Program *(see FAQ details below)
  1. Full-time refers to York University’s definitions.
    Click here     for a more detailed breakdown.
  2. At least 60% course load (at least 9 credits in each term) for undergraduate students.
  3. At least 40% course load (at least 6 credits in each term) for undergraduate students with a disability.
  1. CGPA of 5.0
  2. Prior to first work term, completion of all the following CSSD core courses:
  • CSSD1203 (4.0)
  • CSSD 2103 (0.5)
  • CSSD 2104 (2.0)
  • CSSD 2105 (1.0)
  • CSSD 2106 (0.5)
  • CSSD2202 (4.0)
  • CSSD 2203 (4.0)
  1. Successful completion of 50 credits to a maximum of 81 credits by the start of the first work term
  1. Honours, Full Time Status and Required Credits: Enrolled full-time in the Honours Program *(see FAQ details below)
  1. Full-time refers to York University’s definitions.
    Click here     for a more detailed breakdown.
  2. At least 60% course load (at least 9 credits in each term) for undergraduate students.
  3. At least 40% course load (at least 6 credits in each term) for undergraduate students with a disability.
  1. CGPA of 5.0
  2. Have completed a minimum of 30 credits.
  1. Students must have a minimum of 9 credits remaining to complete their Honours Degree at the time of application.
  2. Transfer students must have completed at least one academic term at York University (minimum of 9 credits).
  3. Students must have completed a minimum of 45 credits before the start of the first work term.
  1. Honours, Full Time Status and Required Credits: Enrolled full-time in the Honours Program *(see FAQ details below)
  1. Full-time refers to York University’s definitions.
    Click here     for a more detailed breakdown.
  2. At least 60% course load (at least 9 credits in each term) for undergraduate students.
  3. At least 40% course load (at least 6 credits in each term) for undergraduate students with a disability.
  1. CGPA of 5.0
  2. Have completed a minimum of 30 credits.
  1. Students must have a minimum of 9 credits remaining to complete their Honours Degree at the time of application.
  2. Transfer students must have completed at least one academic term at York University (minimum of 9 credits).
  3. Students must have completed a minimum of 45 credits before the start of the first work term.

After Completion of Co-op

Expected to return to York University for a minimum of one semester of full-time study (normally at least 9 credits) after the completion of their final work term.

Expected to return to York University for a minimum of one semester of full-time study (normally at least 9 credits) after the completion of their final work term.

Expected to return to York University for a minimum of one semester of full-time study (normally at least 9 credits) after the completion of their final work term.

International Students

To legally work as a co-op student in Canada, international students must obtain a co-op work permit from the federal government.

After attending the mandatory Co-op Information Session, international students may apply to the Co-op Program. Your application will be assessed using the eligibility requirements outlined on this page. Upon meeting these requirements, international students will be granted ‘conditional approval’ for enrolment in the Co-op Program and will be issued a letter from our office that confirms your enrolment in the program. You may then use this letter to apply for the required co-op work permit. 

You should not submit an application for a co-op work permit until you have been accepted into the Co-op Program.

Securing a Co-op Position

Students are responsible for actively searching and applying to Co-op opportunities. Upon admission to the program, you will gain access to York University Co-op job board. Students are expected to apply to both York-affiliated postings and roles you find through your own independent job search efforts.

As a Co-op student, you will also work with your Co-op Coordinator to get support in your job search. Once you’ve secured a position, be sure to notify the Co-op team to ensure the employer and your work term can be formally recognized and processed.

FAQs

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan and prepare.

No. Obtaining a Co-op position is dependent on you and your application to the posted jobs. However, support will be provided to help you prepare for job applications and interviews, including resume building and interview skills. 

Fees & Registration

Fees are based on 2025-2026 rates and are subject to change.

Fee TypeCost Payment Timeline
CSSD 2061 1.00Regular tuition feesAt time of application to Co-op program (you must have completed, or be enrolled in CSSD 2061 1.00, and meet eligibility criteria). This fee pays for various Co-op supports and program administration.
Co-op program enrolment fee$200 (one-time)After securing a Co-op job, students will be automatically enrolled in their zero credit co-op work term course(s) for each 4-month work term. The zero credit work term course fees are the same for domestic and international students.
Co-op work term courses and professional development courses*$500 (0.00 credit) x 2 = $1,000 total 
*If applicable to your faculty, regular tuition fees apply for 2.0 credit course for COOP 2100 2.0 during first work period and COOP 3100 2.0 for second work period		For the 2.0 credit Professional Development courses, COOP 2100 and COOP 3100, regular tuition fees apply.

Application to the program is optional and enrolment in CSSD 2061 is open to all students as a way to help them gain career preparatory skills.

Completion of the minimum work terms as determined by your faculty will be reflected in a notation on the student’s official transcript.

No. Students must complete the minimum requirements for a Co-op experience, dependent on your faculty. You will, however, still benefit from the one term of experience, networking, and skill-building opportunities. You will still be able to complete your degree requirements. 

A Co-op Coordinator will be able to assist you in advocating for your needs in a workplace setting. Co-op is not an academic course. The employer and student would need to manage any accommodations that are required by the student in the context of an employee-employer setting. One aspect of a Co-op experience that may be supported by an academic accommodation would be the final submission to the university of the self-assessment of the Co-op experience, and employer feedback etc., where deadlines could be extended as needed. It is highly recommended that eligible students register with the Student Accessibility Services.  For more information: SAS Guide to Navigating Placements with Disabilities. 

No. It is an expectation that Co-op students prioritize their industry learning experience while on a work term and work full-time based on their employer’s regular business hours.  Students will not be given time off in a job to complete coursework. However, Co-op students are able to take a maximum of one course per term, up to 3.0 credits per semester with permission from the Co-op Office. The course should not interfere with regular business hours of Monday to Friday, 8 am – 5 pm; whether you are working in a hybrid, remote or in person capacity. The course must be fully online, during weekends or after your work hours. Please contact the Co-op team to learn more about how to request permission. 

Yes. Student’s enrolment in the zero-credit Co-op work term course(s) will maintain their active student status and be able to access all regularly available resources. 

You may apply for OSAP during your Co-op work terms to help with living expenses. Funding amounts depend on your income and resources (including parental or spousal, if applicable). When students receive a Co-op job offer, they are enrolled in the 0.00 credit work term course (e.g. COOP 2109/COOP 3109) for each term. Enrolment in the course is considered full-time course load of OSAP purposes.

Before applying, keep in mind:

  • Co-op earnings must be reported as study period income. 
  • OSAP usage will count toward your OSAP lifetime limit 

If you’ve previously received OSAP, you may be eligible for Continuation of Interest-Free Stats (CIFS). Contact Registrarial Services if you have questions about applying while on a Co-op work term. 

If you receive a failing grade in a Co-op course, please connect with a Co-op Coordinator as soon as possible to discuss your options and determine whether the grade can be addressed or rectified.

Yes. However, international students will need to apply for a Co-op Work Permit. Co-op Coordinators will assist you in this process to ensure you are ready to enter your work term.

Potentially. Depending on the length of work terms you complete, Co-op will extend your academic studies if you take a Co-op during an academic term.

Yes. This will be generally described in the preparatory course or during Co-op Information Sessions. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their skill level and jobs that will align with those skills. Additional support will be provided upon admission to the program as students are encouraged to discuss their job search goals and plans with their Co-op Coordinator. Students will also be granted access to the York University Co-op job board.

Our co-op program has been designed to provide multiple pathways and flexibility to achieve your desired co-op employment goals. More sequences will be discussed in co-op information sessions and individual consultations, but the three examples below showcase just a fraction of the combinations you might choose as a co-op student to increase your employment length and opportunities for learning.

Note ** = as applicable per faculty

Sample Sequence 1: CSSD example

Year

Fall (Sept-Dec)

Winter (Jan-Apr)

Summer (May-Aug)

1

Study

Study

Off

2

Study

CSSD 2061 1.0


Study/Job Search

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

3

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

Study/Job Search

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

4

Study

Study

Off

5

Study

Study/Graduate

Graduate

Sample Sequence 2: all other programs

Year

Fall (Sept-Dec)

Winter (Jan-Apr)

Summer (May-Aug)

1

Study

Study

Off

2

Study

Complete Co-op prep modules offered by Co-op Program


Study

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

3

Study

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

4

Study

Study

Off (option to work)

5

Study

Study

Graduate

Sample Sequence 3: all other programs

Year

Fall (Sept-Dec)

Winter (Jan-Apr)

Summer (May-Aug)

1

Study

Study

Off

2

Study

Complete Co-op prep modules offered by Co-op Program


Study

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

3

Study

Study

Work (enrolled in work term + PD courses**)

4

Study

Study

Graduate

*Note: there must be at least one term of full-time studies after the last work term.

Contact Us

Keele Campus

Co-op & Career Centre

1020 Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building & Virtual

askcoop@yorku.ca

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Markham Campus

Co-op & Career Centre - Markham

MK 3040, 1 University Blvd, Markham

hiremarkham@yorku.ca

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Co-op Program is administered and supported through a centralized office at York. If you have more questions about this optional Co-op experience, please contact at askcoop@yorku.ca.