FSSH Co-operative Education

*2025-2026 - UG - Major Program Modification (Create New Calendar Entry)

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(A) Proposal summary
Next
  • STEP 1 - Complete the proposal summary information
  • Home faculty*
    Choose your faculty from the list of available options.
  • Content type*
    Choose ‘program’, unless you are certain the content you are creating should be a shared core. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca if you require assistance.
  • Major Program Modification type*
  • Summary of proposed changes*

    Add Co‐operative education (Co‐op) option to the following FSSH programs:

    Communication and Digital Media Studies, Criminology and Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Studies and Political Science

    Students who complete the Co‐op requirements will have the Co‐op designation appear on the degree parchment.
    This means:

    • Students will be required to complete a Professional Skills course prior to participating in a co‐op placement.
    • Students who successfully complete at least 3 Co‐op work terms will qualify for the designation to appear on their degree.

    These are suggested changes to the structure and delivery of the program to improve student experience and satisfaction, as well as address Government of Canada requirement for our students to participate in co‐op/internship opportunities at government agencies. The proposed changes have been developed in such a way to wholly enrich the program.

     

    Provide a brief point by point summary of the changes included in this proposal.
  • Is there a change to total credit hours in the program?*
  • Is a new course associated with this proposal?*
    Select 'yes' only if you are adding a brand new course to the calendar copy in this proposal.

  • If applicable, list new course codes, course titles and include hyperlinks to course proposals in Curriculog in the 'new courses' field below. To hyperlink, open a new window and search for the new course proposal in Curriculog. Copy the url from your web browser, return to this form and select the hyper link icon. Paste the url into the url field and save.

  • New courses

    SSCI 2200W - Professional Skills

    SSCI 2201W - FSSH Co-op Work Term I

    SSCI 3201W - FSSH Co-op Work Term II

    SSCI 4201W - FSSH Co-op Work Term III

    SSCI 4202W - FSSH Co-op Work Term IV

    SSCI 4203W - FSSH Co-op Work Term V

  • Are you creating a new minor that is not associated with a standalone major?*
  • If you answered yes to the above question, please describe in detail the capacity available to deliver the minor.

    NA

  • Calendar start date*
    Choose when the change should first appear in the academic calendar (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • Registration start date*
    Specify the first active term (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • STEP 2 - Attach supporting documents, if applicable

  • Visit the files section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form to attach any supporting documentation.

  • Are you attaching any supporting documents*
(B) Program component information and calendar copy
Next
  • STEP 3 - Complete Section B
  • Title of new program component*
    FSSH Co-operative Education
    FSSH Co-operative Education
    This will be the title of the program or shared core in the calendar.
  • Program type*
    Select the corresponding program type from the list of options. If you feel an option is missing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Degree type*
    Select the corresponding degree type from the list of options. If you feel an option is missing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Description of new program component*

    All programs in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities incorporate experiential learning opportunities allowing students to build valuable work experience prior to graduation. These experiences may involve 4-to-16-month co-operative education positions (available in selected programs), 4-month internships, and flexible practicum placements of 100 hours within one term. All experiential learning programs include a required course to develop essential employability skills that will help you to navigate professional career paths in the non-profit, community, and corporate sectors, such as application and interview techniques, workplace culture, effective communication, and networking skills. 

    Students in the co-op program who successfully complete at least three work terms will graduate with the Co-operative Education designation on their degree parchments. The FSSH co-op education model has been designed to conform to the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL). For more information, please consult the FSSH Co-op section of this calendar or visit the FSSH Co-op website. 

     

    The description of the new program component will be included in the Academic Calendar.
  • Admission requirements*

    Full-time students apply to the co-op program directly from high school and must successfully complete their first year at Ontario Tech University in clear standing. They should meet the following criteria to apply for the Co-operative Education Program:

    • Have completed first year with a minimum cGPA of 2.7.
    • Be returning to full-time studies after completing the co-op work term.
    • No hold on their account with the university.
    • Be legally entitled to work in Canada

    Information on the application process and administrative fees are available from the Co-op office.

    FSSH students must successfully complete three (3) work terms to obtain the Co-op designation on their degree. Students who have not successfully completed three work terms by the end of their program will graduate without the co-op designation.

     

    An outline of the requirements for admission to the new program component, including additional requirements or procedures, and recognition of prior learning experience.
  • Program map*
    Use this section to build a program map for the academic calendar that shows courses and/or research components offered each academic year.
  • Program structure*

    Co-op students will follow a modified program map to accommodate work terms. Required courses remain the same, with the addition of a required co-op preparation course (SSCI 2200W – Professional Skills) in the second year of study (prior to the first work term).

    Describe any experiential or other applied learning opportunities that are part of the new program component.
  • Program learning outcomes*

    There are no changes to the current program learning outcomes.

    If you do not have a recent version of your program’s learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

  • If you do not have a recent version of your program’s learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

(C) Detailed proposal information
Next
  • STEP 4 - Complete Section C
  • Introduction
  • Brief background on existing program*

    Co-operative Education is a new component to the programs in FSSH.  We currently only offer Practicum and Internship experiential learning opportunities for the students.

  • Rationale for the new component*

    The addition of a co-op option will expand the experiential learning opportunities in FSSH to include longer term, paid positions. These will be in addition to existing Practicum and Internship options. The program follows Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) guidelines. The Co-op model encompasses both school-based and work-based learning, offering various activities to bridge the gap between work and education. These activities include a pre-employment non-credit course, worksite visits conducted by the Co-operative Education, Experiential Learning and Career Development Office (CEELCD OFFICE) staff, work term reports, and performance evaluations—all designed to enhance students' ability to connect their work experiences with their academic learning.

    How will this change enhance the program and/or opportunities for students and graduates?
  • Fit with the mission, mandate, strategic plans of the University and broader array of program offerings*

    Other programs in the university already have a co-op option. This change allows us to have similar options for FSSH students. It fits with Ontario Tech’s mission to “We equip future leaders to solve complex problems.” It also fits with the university’s strategic mandate to build “[m]eaningful connections with our local and global communities” and to “help industry, community, government, and academic partners be more effective by bringing them together with students and researchers to uncover innovative solutions for their most pressing problems.”

    Description of how the proposed modifications fit into the broader array of program offerings, particularly those areas of teaching and research strengths, and complementary areas of study.
  • Resource requirements
  • Faculty members*

    There are no new additional faculty members required.

     

    List of core faculty associated with the program, including appointment status, home unit, areas of teaching and research interests, and any new faculty requirements and gaps they would be expected to fill.
  • Additional academic and non-academic human resources*

    A dedicated person for finding paid positions for FSSH students, providing the preparatory course, and working to ensure that co-op students are successful in their placements.

    Details of any administrative requirements, including support staff, adjunct and part-time faculty, supervision of experiential learning opportunities, and any other additional academic and non-academic human resources.
  • Physical resource requirements*

    There are no additional physical resource requirements.  We will be scheduling more classes during the Spring/Summer term so our classrooms will have an increased utilization.

    Details of any physical resource requirements, including library holdings, information technology support and student services, special equipment, and space requirements (classrooms, laboratory, graduate student work/study space, other).
  • Business plan
  • Statement of funding requirements*

    The addition of co-op requires the Faculty and Program to offer additional courses during the Spring/Summer terms. These courses will need to be in addition to the regularly scheduled courses offered during the Fall/Winter terms. This will require funds for sessional instructors and/or overload payments. This may also require funds for TA support.

    A summary statement of the funding required to support the modification, including projected enrolments, start-up and continuing costs, if applicable.
  • Statement of resource/funding availability*

    As part of the co-op program, staff support will be provided to facilitate the employer recruitment, student support and administrative functions through the university’s centralize EL office.  The university’s existing database (Orbis)  will provide students with access to the jobs portal and facilitate the tracking of students at no additional cost.  As the co-op program is an extension of the existing programs and is currently focused on undergraduate students exclusively, no additional costs with regards to Registrar’s Office, Grad Studies or the Library will be required. 

    Funding for additional courses during the Spring/Summer semester and/or resources provided by the CEELCD Hub will be dependent on enrolment in the Co-op option.  Resources will be allocated as required and in consultation with Dean, the Provost’s Office and the Executive Director of the CEELCD Hub.

    Statements attesting to the adequacy of resources to support the modification from Deans who may have faculty members involved in or are contributing resources, the Registrar or the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Chief Librarian and the Provost.
  • Transition and communication plan
  • Transition plan for both new and current students*

    This modification will not negatively impact current students. It will provide additional flexibility and choice for current students with the addition of more FSSH elective courses being offered in the Spring/Summer terms. Those students who enrolled in the 2024-25 academic year may have the opportunity to enroll in the co-op option. 

     

    Semester (e.g., Fall 2025) for the implementation of the proposed changes; include a plan for all current students in the program, by year level. If this change impacts students that are not new and/or 1st year students as of the start date, then a transition plan is required. Please remember to consider off-map students.
  • Communication plan for both new and current students*

    All members of the university are aware that Senior Leadership have requested that all programs have a co-op option. As details are worked out, the information will be communicated by email and via the Ontario Tech websites. 
     

    Please explain how the current students will be made aware of this change (e.g., Who will be responsible for notifying students? How? Is Academic Advising aware?). Please remember to consider off-map students.
  • Converting to online options
  • Does this proposal contain any intended conversion of progam components to online options? If yes, please complete the remaining items below.*
  • Adequacy of technological platform
    Describe the adequacy of the technological platform to be used for online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to the quality of education
    Describe how the quality of education will be maintained and/or changes when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program objectives
    Describe how the current program objectives will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program-level learning outcomes
    Describe how the current program-level outcomes will be maintained an/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency of support services and training for teaching staff
    Describe the support services and training for teaching staff that will be made available when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency and type of support for students in the new learning environment
    Describe the sufficiency and type of supports that will be available to students when moving to online delivery.
  • Other
  • Additional supporting information, if applicable
    Describe any additional information needed to support the proposal.
(D) Impact and consultation
Next
  • STEP 5 - Complete Section D

  • Consultation is central to governance at Ontario Tech. Faculties are required to consult with all areas impacted by this change, and the home faculty dean is responsible for all consultation decisions in this section of the form. Note that any false statements related to consultation may require re-submission of proposals.

  • Faculty Consultation
  • Will this change impact any other faculties? Some examples may include, but are not limited to, the scenarios listed below.*

  • Examples:

    • A course from another faculty is being added or removed from the program map.
    • Changes to joint and/or service programs (e.g., 'and Management' programs, targeted minors).
    • Changes to year of offering for courses from another faculty (e.g., moving a course from Year 1 to Year 2).

    Additional examples can be found in the Resources section of the CIQE website.

  • If you answered yes to the question above, please explain and outline the consultation process in detail. Attach relevant documents (emails, Faculty Council minutes, etc.) or include links to corresponding documents. *

    The changes MAY impact other Faculties in a positive way as additional courses will be available as electives during the Spring/Summer terms.

  • Student Consultation
  • How have current or prospective students been consulted about this change? (e.g., informal conversations, attendance at meetings, survey, indirectly through academic advising). Please provide details below. *

    We presume that the necessary consultations were done via Senior Administration.  FSSH has had information consultation with students in classes, with academic advising and at OUF and open houses.

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • What considerations have been made for equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization?*

    At the Faculty level, we will make every effort to support students in their co-op experience within the limits of what we control. FSSH courses often take into consideration social justice and DEIB considerations in their course content.

     

  • For more information and guidance on incorporating equity, diversity and inclusion principles in curricula, please visit the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging resource section of the CIQE website.

  • Indigenous Content and Consultation
  • Does this change include any Indigenous content?*

  • For more information on how Indigenous content is defined at Ontario Tech University and how to consult with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, please refer to the Protocol for Consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.

  • Has the IEAC been contacted?
  • If Yes, when?
  • What was the advice you received from the IEAC? And, how has it been included in your proposal? Please attach or provide links to documents that outline the consultation process and advice given.
  • Did the IEAC ask you to return the proposal to them for review?
    If Yes, have they completed their review?
  • Other Consultation
  • Have you consulted with the Office of the Registrar, Student Life, the Library and/or any other areas on campus that may be impacted? *
  • If yes, please explain and outline the consultation process in detail.*

    Consultations have been conducted with the Dean, Associate Dean (Undergraduate), Business Officer, and Undergraduate Program Directors in FSSH to gain input on the best way to map out the courses with the addition of co-op terms.

  • Does this change involve co-op?*
  • If yes, please acknowledge that you have consulted with Lindsay Coolidge, Director, External Relations and Partnerships by checking the box below.
(E) Routing
Next
  • STEP 6 - Enter routing information

  • Important note: it is imperative that you choose the correct routing path as it cannot be changed once a proposal has been launched. If you have made a routing error after launching the proposal, the proposal will be cancelled and a new proposal will be required. If you require assistance with routing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

    Please note that changes to joint or collaborative programs do require approval at Faculty Council of each faculty involved in the program. You do not need to include other faculties in the routing, however, consultation with other faculties should be noted and any required approval by other Faculty Councils (and date of approval) should be noted in the comments section as approval is logged on the home Faculty Council step.

  • Should this proposal be routed to the Program Approval step prior to Curriculum Committee?*
    If your curriculum committee is organized by program, or if program-level approval prior to curriculum committee is not required, select 'no'.
  • Faculty or program-level group*
    Choose your faculty or program-level group from the list of options. If your faculty has program-level committees, choose the corresponding program group from the list. Otherwise, choose the home faculty. You may choose more than one option, but please note that your proposal will go to the committees of all options selected. The proposal will not move on to the next step until all faculties have approved at their respective committees. Note: If you are making a change for a Bachelor of Engineering program in FESNS, you must select both the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from the list of options.
  • Is this change for a Bachelor of Engineering program or program which requires Engineering Curriculum Committee approval?*
  • Are there departments associated with your faculty?*
  • Is this change for the Sustainability Studies program?*
(F) End of proposal
Next
  • STEP 7 - Save and ensure all required fields are complete
  • STEP 8 - Validate and launch proposal
  • STEP 9 - Approve proposal

  • As the originator, you must approve the proposal to send it on to the next step. To approve, navigate to the decisions section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form.

(G) CIQE use only
Next
  • Program or shared core OID
  • Code

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