Augustana Co-operative Education

Students

• Apply classroom theory to real-world business challenges.
• Explore various careers, organizations and industries before committing to a full-time job.
• Gain paid work experience and develop crucial professional competencies before graduation.
• Build professional connections and networks with employer partners.

Employers

• Benefit from cost-effective staffing and project support by working with students at a top-4 Canadian university.
• Bring in fresh energy and new ideas with students who are immersed in the latest business theories, technologies and best practices.
• Build your talent pipeline through co-op internships by assessing a student’s skills, work ethic and organizational fit. 
• Establish a strong on-campus presence and enhance reputation as an organization that invests in the futures of young professionals.

Students

Students apply directly to co-op internships they are interested in, and employer partners interview and select the best candidate. During this process, our program staff can support students in identifying suitable co-op internships, reviewing resumés and preparing for interviews.

Students registered in the ACE program will complete a minimum of 12 months of work experience (made up of three 4-month co-op internships). Students have several options for scheduling co-op internships, provided that all are completed prior to the final study term. It will normally take students a minimum of four and a half years total to complete their degree and ACE program requirements. During co-op internships, students will have the same access to U of A resources as when they take courses.

Employers

Our program staff work with employer partners to identify co-op internship opportunities for students applying to the program. These co-op internships are then posted for approved students to review and apply for. Employer partners then hire their student of choice for their specified co-op internship.

Students

Augustana students are eligible for the ACE program if they:

• Are a continuing student in the Augustana Faculty bachelor of management program.
• Have completed between 24 and 75 units of course credit.
• Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.3. Admission is competitive and presentation of the minimum GPA may not be sufficient to qualify for participation.

Employers

Employers from any industry are able to participate in the ACE program as long as they can offer paid co-op internship opportunities related to management. These co-op internships can incorporate duties such as:

• Records and record system maintenance.
• Sales data and market research and analysis, including competitor benchmarking, to create projections and inform commerce and marketing tactics.
• Engaging and concise communications creation, including presentations, technical documents and social media campaigns.

Students

To complete the ACE program (in addition to the regular requirements for a bachelor of management degree), students must complete:

1. Augustana Co-operative Education Orientation Seminar (non-credit)
2. AUWXP 901: Augustana Work Experience I
3. AUWXP 902: Augustana Work Experience II
4. AUWXP 903: Augustana Work Experience III
5. Pre- and post-internship career education tasks per co-op internship

An additional optional AUWXP 904 co-op internship is available under special circumstances. Students should inquire with program staff for more details.

Employers

To participate in the ACE program, employers must:

• • Provide meaningful, paid co-op internships lasting four months (with a minimum of 420 work hours).
  • Meet with program staff to review job posting(s).
  • Participate in a mid-term site visit (in-person or virtually) with program staff and co-op internship student.
  • Provide a performance appraisal following a student’s co-op internship.

View funding and subsidy options

Students

Students will be admitted to the program based on a combination of grades and work experience. Students will be charged a one-time application fee of $50. Tuition for each work term will be around $2,100. Application open dates are listed below.

Employers

Program staff are currently identifying partner businesses and organizations to work with. Employers wishing to participate or learn more about what participating in the program would look like can contact us.