Co-operative Education

How would you like to…  

• work in various locations across Canada in various health-related roles?  
• earn money while completing your BASc in Health?  
• build your resume with 12-16 months of employment in addition to your degree?  
• discover who you are, effective job search strategies, and professional skills that build your career?  

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, the BASc Health Co-op Education program is the right fit for you.  

St. Francis Xavier University was excited to launch the BASc Health Co-op Education Program in September 2017. StFX has offered a Co-op Education in selected programs since 2003. We have taken and translated our expertise to this new program.  

Co-op is an educational program in which you alternate semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time paid employment in positions related to your academic and/or career interests. As with the BASc in Health program, BAScH co-op students will be able to explore health from multiple disciplinary work experiences.    

The Co-op Process  

First, meet with your Co-op Coordinator who reviews the program requirements, helps you to develop your academic co-op plan, and identifies various positions/organizations that best match your skills and career interests.  

Second, complete our professional development courses. Through dynamic and engaged teaching, Co-op staff review course curriculum that helps co-op students be more successful in the program and in professional settings. 

Third, complete a minimum of 12-16 months of work experience.  

Your work term sequencing options:   

• 4 months plus 8 months  
• 8 months plus 4 months  
• 12 months consecutive with a single employer  

While on work term, the Co-op staff engages with students and their supervisors to promote a purposeful learning work experience. Through reflective assignments, students gain more meaning about who they are as a student and as a professional.  

Finally, co-op students complete our COOP 405 (3 credit) course that runs in September or January. Students complete a formal debrief with their co-op peers, group presentations, and a paper.  

Learn More