Students

Admission requirements:

1. Students must be registered as a full-time student in either:
   • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
     • Accounting
     • Finance
     • General Management
     • Human Resources
     • International Business
     • Marketing
     • Social Innovation
     • Supply Chain
   • Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
2. Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher upon application
3. Completed fewer than 90 course credits (generally, students apply in their first or second year)

Students are encouraged to apply during their first or second year. 

Apply early through My Career Hub. Log into MyCareerHub (using your MyMRU username and password) and click on ‘Work Experience’ in the navigation menu to access the list of Co-op programs accepting applications.

Once you have applied, you can view your status online and will receive an email within 10 business days with notification of official admission status.

How many Co-op programs can I apply for?

Our system only allows students to apply for one Co-op program.  If you change your mind and would like to choose a different Co-op program, changes can only be made if space is available in the other Co-op program..

Is it possible to be conditionally accepted to the Co-op program?

Yes - there are two reasons why a student can be conditionally accepted to the Co-op program:

• Your Bachelor of Business Administration status is pending (requires proof of BBA admission); 
• Your Bachelor of Science - Computer Science status is pending (requires proof of admission);
• You are in your first semester of studies and do not yet have proof of your 2.5 or above GPA status

Before your status can be changed from ‘conditionally accepted’ to ‘admission accepted’, you will need to provide additional documentation to Career Services

What browser should I use when I submit a Co-op application?

We encourage you to use Google Chrome as your browser when submitting a Co-op application.

How do I access my Program Audit Worksheet?

Students are required to submit a copy of their program audit worksheet with their Co-op application.  The program audit worksheet is reviewed by a Career Services team member to ensure that the student meets the admission requirements. 

To access a copy of your program audit worksheet:

• Log into the MyMRU portal 
• Click on the My Program tab
• Look for the mruGradU8 box towards the bottom of the page and click on the link to log into mruGradU8 to access your program audit worksheet
• To save your program audit worksheet, click on the printer icon at the top of the document and change the destination to "save as pdf".

Note: your program audit worksheet is not your unofficial transcript

I recently transferred to Mount Royal University and my Program Audit Worksheet says that my GPA is 0.0.  What document should I submit with my Co-op application?

Transfer credit course work is not included in the calculation of your GPA at Mount Royal University.  If you are applying for the Co-op program, please submit the following as a single PDF document: 1) copy of your program audit worksheet and 2) a screenshot of your GPA and course credits completed at the post-secondary school that you transferred from.  

I’m an international student, what else do I need to do if I’m accepted to the Co-op program?

Once accepted to the Co-op program, an international student will receive an email from the International Education department, immigration@mtroyal.ca. The email will contain important information on applying for work permit from the Federal Government. If you have any questions, please email immigration@mtroyal.ca.

I have completed more than 90 course credits and don’t qualify for the Co-op program.  Are there any other options for me?

If you are too far along in your program and don't meet the admission requirements for the Co-op program, we encourage you to meet with a coordinator to discuss how you can gain valuable experience outside of the Co-op program. To book an appointment, log into MyCareerHub using your MyMRU login credentials. 

Once accepted into the Co-op program:

• You will receive an acceptance email 
• You will need to register and pay tuition fee for the Orientation to Co-operative Education (COOP 0001) course

All Co-op students pay tuition fees for each stage of the Co-op program. The Orientation to Co-operative Education course and the three Co-op work terms are all non-credit courses with fees that need to be paid prior to the start of the course.  For every work term a student secures, they will be registered in a Co-op course that will allow them to maintain full-time student status with the University.

Consult the MRU Tuition and Fee Schedule for more information.

This course will help you with a successful work term, and increase your skills for all of your future work searches. The course includes:

• Identify your strengths - self assessment
• Build professional profile - cover letter, resume, portfolio, online presence
• Increase your confidence in presentation - interview coaching and conduct a mock interview with an industry professional
• Job search - how to develop and execute a successful job search
• Connections with industry - we bring industry professionals into the classroom to learn about the world of work through employer panels, networking sessions, mock interviews
• Business etiquette -  how to navigate the workplace

You are supported throughout your work term by a Work Experience Coordinator. This coordinator is there to help you with any questions or support you as you navigate through your work term. 

Examples include: Work Term Check-In Meeting - half way through your work term your coordinator will check in with you, and Huddles - connect with other Co-op students and share your experiences.

• Each successfully completed work term will be awarded an Experiential Pass (EP) grade. 
• Each work term consists of 450 hours, completed in one semester.  
• You can complete up to three work terms. Completing three four-month work terms will earn you a Co-operative education designation on your degree parchment

Can I end the Co-op program on a work term?

All Co-op students must end the Co-op program with an academic semester.

Am I considered a full-time student when I am completing a Co-op work term?

Students completing a Co-op work term are considered a full-time student by the Office of the Registrar.

Am I eligible for the student health benefit plan during a Co-op work term?

Students are not eligible for the student health benefit plan during a Co-op work term. A Co-op work term is a non-credit course and the Student health benefit plan is only available to full-time students registered in 9 or more credits per semester.

Am I eligible for the UPass during a Co-op work term?

Students are not eligible for the UPass during a Co-op work term. A Co-op work term is a non-credit course and the UPass is only available to full-time students registered in 9 or more credits per semester (i.e. fall and winter semesters).

How will being a part of the Co-op program affect my student loan or awards/scholarships?

Students are eligible to apply for student loans for their work terms. Please contact Financial Aid if you are going to complete a work term in the Spring/Summer semesters because there is a different way for students to apply for funding due to different course dates.

For questions about student loans, please contact financialaid@mtroyal.ca. For questions about awards/scholarships, please contact awards@mtroyal.ca.

Students who graduate with Co-op work experience:

• Have higher employment rates
• Get careers related to their education
• Earn more than other graduates

Here's what students from different programs had to say about their Co-op experience:

"I was able to develop new skills that have helped me succeed in my studies, and also made me more confident in achieving my goals and success."

- Nate Penas, BCIS student

"The Co-op program at MRU has been a very educating and fun experience! I managed to get a Co-op as a first year student and it has gotten me even more passionate about my degree!"

- Gunit Gill, ACCT student

"I highly recommend Co-op because it gives you a great chance to gain experience allowing you to stand out among peers upon graduation."

- Shana Riley-Elliott, HR student

"I would recommend Co-op to any student looking to get meaningful and practical work experience. Everyone’s experience will be different but most employers are thrilled to hire students and are more than happy to take things slow in order to train students on their systems and processes."

- Michael Criddle, ACCT student

"The Co-op program has positively impacted not only my career but my education. The knowledge and work experience I've gained is monumental and could not be replicated, even in the classroom. I would recommend Co-op to any student looking to get a step-ahead."

- Ryan Siegle, FNCE student