Degrees with Co-op: A Triple Threat

Combine the theory of a degree program with the hands-on experience of a paid co-op placement.

Take the hands-on learning of a college, add the theoretical style of a university, mix it with real-life experience, and you have a college Bachelor's degree with a paid co-op placement.

"There are so many advantages to graduating with a degree with co-op," says David Hall, Manager of Cooperative Education at Algonquin College. "You could call it a triple threat. If you get a degree from Algonquin College you're going to get your theory and you're going to get your technical skills. Plus, you're going to get that chance to practise, hone, refine, professionalize, and really set yourself up for success to launch your career when you graduate."

Algonquin College offers a variety of Honours Bachelor's degrees with co-op, including Commerce, Interior Design, Public Safety, Building Science and, new this fall, Automation and Robotics. A Bachelor of Technology in Business Systems Development (Honours) and Bachelor of Technology in Digital Health (Honours) will be introduced next fall. Algonquin plans to add about 10 more degrees with co-op over the next few years.

Yuxiang Jiang graduated this past June from Algonquin College with an Honours Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. He did his co-op at the Westin Beijing Financial Street Hotel working as an HR Officer and Trainer.

"A program with co-op definitely gave me motivation to gain real-life experience before formally stepping into society," he says. Earlier this year, Jiang and two of his classmates placed second out of more than 500 competitors at an international student competition for hotel innovation. "The real-life experience in the program helped the three of us come up with such a great idea together," he says, adding, "I loved the class dynamic. The professors constantly created discussion opportunities so that every student could participate and get feedback."

Imagine what you might do with a triple threat co-op degree! Visit our website to learn more.