Co-op with the School of Business & Department of Economics
Co-op is an opportunity for students to gain work-integrated experiential learning that will help them get a head start on a career. Co-ops assist students in achieving a competitive edge while generating experience within a wide range of sectors. They give students a chance to obtain practical experience on the job, develop or enhance technical skills, explore career options, network with a variety of individuals and organizations, learn from mentors and tutors, enhance communication and presentation skills, and develop technical writing skills.
We offer 4 co-op programs: Business Co-op, Business - Accounting Co-op, Economics Co-op, and Accounting & Economics Co-op. The Business Co-op program includes opportunities to add a specialization (except for Accounting, as this is a separate co-op program).
Co-ops are a mix of 8 academic course terms and 3 paid work terms, which alternate in a set schedule for each co-op degree program. During co-op study terms that occur in the summer, students will take courses from the beginning of May to the end of July. There are no courses offered during the month of August.
Most students apply for a co-op program while in high school. There are a limited number of spaces available for students to transfer into a co-op program during their first year of studies at Trent. Full details, application instructions and deadlines for transferring in can be found here.
Testimonial
Co-op Human Resources/Labour Relations Student, General Motors
"As a Business Administration student specializing in Human Resources, utilizing Trent’s Co-op resources has been valuable for my career development. During my Winter/Summer 2025 Co-op, I secured a position at General Motors as an HR/LR student, where I have gained hands-on experience in managing employees and HR processes. This opportunity has boosted my confidence, connected my studies to real-world applications, and reinforced my decision to pursue a career in HR after graduation."
— Liza Pavlik, 2nd year Business Co-op student
Read more testimonials on the Careerspace Co-op website.
Progression Through Co-op
Work Term Details
- Students must complete three non-credit co-op work terms as part of the program.
- Relocation may be required for work terms. Opportunities are typically available within Ontario or elsewhere in Canada.
- After each work term, students are required to submit a report that includes the employer’s performance evaluation.
- While students do not pay tuition during work terms, they are responsible for non-refundable co-op fees, as well as ancillary fees and levies.
- The School of Business makes every effort to help students find suitable co-op employers, but work term placements are not guaranteed.
- The hiring process is competitive and influenced by factors such as market conditions and academic performance.
- Students secure co-op positions through successful participation in the interview process.
- Co-op students may find positions through School of Business job postings and/or their own job search efforts.
- Students must follow the work term schedule, and may not complete their program on a work term.
Continuation in the Program
- To remain in co-op students must successfully complete the required work term preparation course COOP 2000H with a minimum grade of 70%.
- Students must maintain a minimum 75% cumulative average on their Trent courses in the 8 study terms.
- Students must receive satisfactory evaluations during each of their work terms.
- Students who deviate from the normal co-op schedule may require additional time to complete their degrees, as all courses are not offered in every term.
- Co-op students cannot take a course at Trent or on Letter of Permission while on a work term.
- Students who are unable to obtain a suitable co-op employer in an upcoming work term are expected to continue with their academic program on a full-time basis.
- A missed work term can be made up.
- Students may not complete their co-op degree requirements on a work term. They must return to studies following each work term.
- Withdrawal from the co-op program will not normally be approved while a student is on a work term.
- In the event that a co-op student is unable to complete three work terms yet otherwise fulfil all degree requirements, the student will be awarded an Honours degree.
2025-2026 Work Term Schedules & Course Selection
Co-op students will receive full course plans and many other resources from their Co-op Coordinator. The first year course selection is available for each program below. Course titles and descriptions can be found here.
Business Co-op
Schedule Bachelor of Business Administration – Business Co-op
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | Study Term 3 |
| Year 2 | Study Term 4 | Work Term 1 | Study Term 5 |
| Year 3 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 |
| Year 4 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 |
- It is preferred that work term 2 and work term 3 are with the same employer.
Course Selection - First Year
Please connect with schoolofbusinesscoops@trentu.ca for additional recommendations by specialization.
Business Co-op - Peterborough Campus
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 | STUDY 3 |
| ADMN 1000H | ADMN 2010H | ADMN 2220H | |
| ADMN 1221H | ADMN 2230H | ADMN 2100H | |
| ECON 1010H or 1020H | ECON 1010H or 1020H | UNIV ELECTIVE | |
| UNIV ELECTIVE | COOP 2000H | UNIV ELECTIVE | |
| UNIV ELECTIVE | UNIV ELECTIVE | Indigenous Course Requirement |
Business Co-op - Durham Campus
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 | STUDY 3 |
| ADMN 1000H | ADMN 2010H | ADMN 2220H | |
| ADMN 1221H | ADMN 2230H | ADMN 2100H | |
| ECON 1010H | ECON 1020H | UNIV ELECTIVE | |
| UNIV ELECTIVE | COOP 2000H | UNIV ELECTIVE | |
| UNIV ELECTIVE | UNIV ELECTIVE | Indigenous Course Requirement |
Business - Accounting Co-op
Schedule Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting Co-op
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | Off |
| Year 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 | Study Term 5 |
| Year 3 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | Study Term 7 | Work Term 3 | Study Term 8 |
- It is preferred that work term 1 and work term 2 are with the same employer.
Course Selection - First Year
Business - Accounting Co-op - Peterborough Campus
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 | NO COURSES |
| ADMN 1000H | ADMN 2010H | ||
| ADMN 1221H | ADMN 2230H | ||
| ECON 1010H or 1020H | ECON 1010H or 1020H | ||
| COIS 1010H | ECON 1250H or ADMN 2600H | ||
| UNIV ELECTIVE | UNIV ELECTIVE |
Business - Accounting Co-op - Durham Campus
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 | NO COURSES |
| ADMN 1000H | ADMN 2010H | ||
| ADMN 1221H | ADMN 2230H | ||
| ECON 1010H | ECON 1020H | ||
| COIS 1010H | ECON 1250H or ADMN 2600H | ||
| UNIV ELECTIVE | UNIV ELECTIVE |
Economics Co-op
Schedule Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science – Economics Co-op
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | Study term 3 |
| Year 2 | Study Term 4 | Study Term 5 | Work term 1 |
| Year 3 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 |
| Year 4 | Study Term 7 | Study term 8 |
- It is preferred that work term 2 and work term 3 are with the same employer.
Course Selection - First Year
Economics Co-op - Peterborough Campus Only
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 | STUDY 3 |
| ECON 1010H or 1020H | ECON 1010H or 1020H | ECON 2200H | |
| ELECTIVE | ECON 1250H | ELECTIVE | |
| ELECTIVE | COOP 2000H | ELECTIVE | |
| ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE | |
| ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE | Indigenous Course Requirement |
Economics Co-op students will also take COOP 4000H in their final year.
Accounting & Economics Co-op
Schedule Bachelor of Arts – Accounting & Economics Co-op
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | Off |
| Year 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 | Study Term 5 |
| Year 3 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | Study Term 7 | Work Term 3 | Study Term 8 |
- It is preferred that work term 1 and work term 2 are with the same employer.
Course Selection - First Year
Accounting & Economics Co-op - Peterborough Campus Only
| FALL | WINTER | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | STUDY 1 | STUDY 2 | NO COURSES |
| ADMN 1221H | ADMN 2221H | ||
| COIS 1010H | COIS 1620H | ||
| ECON 1010H | ECON 1250H | ||
| ECON 1020H | ECON 2200H | ||
| ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
Contact
Hannah Neff, CCDP
Internship & Co-op Liaison
schoolofbusinesscoops@trentu.ca
