Co-operative Education

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
COOP 2400
Descriptive
Co-operative Education
Department
Co-operative Education
Faculty
Business Development
Credits
9.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
12 – 16 weeks
Max Class Size
N/A
Contact Hours

Co-op: Minimum 420 hours/semester.

Method(s) Of Instruction
Co-op
Learning Activities

Independent learning through a program related Work Term with support given by a Faculty Advisor workplace supervisor.

Course Description
This Co-operative (Co-op) Education course is taken in the semester immediately following COOP 2300. It enables students to expand their transferable job skills and their program-related knowledge and skills by building upon their previous Co-op work experience and their academic studies. With the support of a Faculty Advisor, students set learning objectives for the work experience and complete a Work Term report, project or presentation. As this is the third or fourth Work Term, students are encouraged to seek greater responsibility and/or more challenging tasks and projects than they had or were involved in during the previous Work Terms. This course intends to enhance the student's career success upon graduation from their chosen program. A student in an approved four-year program who successfully completes COOP 1100 plus COOP 2300 and this course, COOP 2400 is eligible for a Co-operative Education designation on their credential.
Course Content

1. Career Skills Training and Career Management:

1.1 Edit targeted letters of applications including; cover letters and resumes to College and industry standards;
1.2 Re-evaluate previous learning objectives;
1.3 Review supervisor’s first and/or second Work Term evaluation and focus on areas of improvement; and
1.4 Research potential long-term opportunities, once graduated, with employer.

2. Goal Setting:

2.1 Set specific, measurable and realistic Work Term goals for learning objectives;
2.2 Re-evaluate as situation requires;
2.3 Analyze success through self-assessment which is communicated to the Faculty Advisor verbally and in writing; and
2.3 Outline growth and development from previous Work Term(s) which is communicated to the Faculty Advisor verbally and in writing.

3. Employability Skills:

3.1 Communicate effectively with coworkers, employer clients/customers, supervisors, and College Co-op/Career Centre staff;
3.2 Work effectively as a team member, including resolving conflict;
3.3 Apply critical/creative thinking in decision making and problem solving;
3.4 Embrace learning opportunities;
3.5 Represent self and the College professionally and ethically;
3.6 Develop personal management skills related to time, organization, and stress; and
3.7 Accept constructive criticism as a vehicle to learning.

4. Program Specific Skills:

4.1 Apply learned academic knowledge and skills in the work environment.

5. Work Term Report, Project or Presentation:

5.1 Choose a topic related to student's specific program and Work Term or defined by the employer. Examples include; formal written report, formal presentation, handbook, procedures manual, research paper, and users' manual;
5.2 Prepare project to industry and College standards; and
5.3 Format to satisfy needs of employer and/or Faculty Advisor.

 

 

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the successful student should be able to:

  1. Apply career management employment search skills to obtain a Work Term in related field of study;
  2. Set, re-evaluate, and achieve realistic, measurable learning objectives;
  3. Adapt transferable employability skills effectively;
  4. Follow program specific skills effectively;
  5. Prepare a Work Term report, project, or presentation to meet College and employer standards.

 

Means of Assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Students will be assigned a grade of MASTERY when ALL of the following are achieved:

1. Career skills training documentation and job interview result in a second or third Work Term;
2. Work Term learning objectives are defined and fulfilled;
3. Work Term report, project or presentation is completed based on given criteria;
4. Employer's evaluation is satisfactory based on given criteria; and
5. Faculty Advisor's evaluation is satisfactory based on given criteria.

Textbook Materials

N/A

Prerequisites

COOP 2300 and Co-op Coordinator permission, and a cumulative grade point average of 2.33, or permission of the Dean.

The program of study must be the same throughout the Co-op term(s).