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Co-Op Program

DeGroote now offers a new co-op model designed for increased flexibility and access to work opportunities.  Students are available for four, eight, twelve or sixteen-month work terms beginning in May, 2027

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Introducing BCom/IBH with Co-op

For more than 30 years, DeGroote has been a leader in work-integrated learning. Building upon decades of successful co-op and internship experiences, DeGroote has reimagined the co-op offerings for our undergraduate programs, to enhance the experience for all students.  

Beginning September 2026, we will be introducing the BCom/IBH with Co-op program, reflecting a new, flexible co-op model designed to benefit both our students and employers and enhance the work-integrated learning experience. The co-op program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in full-time career-oriented work experiences. Students complete three required work terms for a total of twelve months of work experience. Students may elect to participate in an optional fourth work term, culminating to sixteen months of work experience.   

What is a Co-op work term? 

 Each work term consists of a minimum of twelve weeks of full-time paid employment. These opportunities are development in collaboration with and approved by the Career & Professional Development team to ensure all opportunities are aligned with the academic curriculum. Students are enrolled in full-time academic terms prior and post each work term. Students are enrolled in a co-op course while completing their work terms and remain registered as a full-time student during each work term.   

 2025-2026 stats: 

 $47,910 average salary for 12-months of work term experience 

Industry breakdown: 

  • 28% Financial Services  
  • 24% Manufacturing 
  • 14% Professional Services – Accounting  
  • 7% Technology  
  • 7% Energy & Natural Resources  
  • 6% CPG & Retail  
  • 14% Others 

DeGroote has and will continue to develop strong relationships with employers for the co-op program. Some of our employer partners include: 

  • ArcelorMittal Dofasco
  • Bank of America
  • Brookfield Properties
  • Brownlow Partners Chartered Professional Accountants
  • Celestica
  • CIBC Mellon
  • Conagra Brands
  • EY
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Fujifilm Canada Inc.
  • G.S. Dunn Ltd.
  • Hydro One
  • Jaguar Land Rover Canada
  • KPMG Canada
  • Laurentian Bank
  • Maple Leaf Foods
  • Martinrea International
  • New Balance
  • Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada
  • OMERS
  • Ontario Financing Authority
  • RBC
  • SB Partners
  • SC Johnson
  • SOTI
  • Subaru Canada
  • Taylor Leibow LLP
  • TD
  • TFI International Inc.
  • TransUnion
  • Volvo Group
  • Wells Fargo

Access the BCom with Co-op

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Getting started

 Applications for admission into the BCom with Co-op will be accepted at the end of the first year of study. Only full-time BCom students in good academic standing at DeGroote are eligible to apply. 

The co-op application process is competitive and requires students to complete the following items: 

  1. Resume  
  2. Essay Questions  
  3. Virtual Interview  

Admission decisions are based on academic achievement, experiences, written submissions, and interview performance. 

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A Co‑op Experience Designed for Learning, Not Just Work

Helping you prepare 

  • Co-op course: Co-op students enroll in the Co-op and Career Development Course (Commerce 2CO0) during their first semester in the BCom with Co-op program. The course is designed to provide co-op students with the skills necessary to succeed in the competitive co-op recruitment cycle while fostering a continuous learning approach to career development and exploration.
  • Personalized career coaching: Co-op students have unlimited access to connect one-on-one with their Relationship Manager throughout the entire co-op journey. These coaching appointments are particularly important as students engage in co-op search to ensure a continuous improvement loop.

Finding employment 

  • Robust co-op job board: The career team is committed to sourcing quality co-op work term opportunities for access by all co-op students.
  • Building your network: To support strong co-op outcomes, the career team hosts various co-op networking events throughout the year as well as supports peer-to-peer and student-to-alumni connections.
  • Tools to search on your own: Looking for something very specific to your goals? The career team will support you with the tools necessary for researching, identifying and converting potential co-op roles.

On work term 

  • Professional development workshops: Co-op students participate in various workshops geared to support students with the school-to-work transition.
  • Continued access to coaching : Shifting from co-op search, Relationship Managers  will work with you while on work term to support your success in the workplace.
  • Maximizing learning: Our co-op program maximizes student learning through structured deliverables including goal setting, self-evaluation, employer feedback and reflection.
  • Continued access to coaching: Shifting from co-op search, Relationship Managers  will work with you while on work term to support your success in the workplace.

These are just a few of the ways that our career and professional development team support your co-op journey while getting your degree.

Hear from our students

Hear directly from students who have participated in work integrated learning opportunities at DeGroote.

“I am particularly proud of the Learning Management System initiative that I independently researched, proposed, and ultimately led to support the training and development of over 50 TeleFundraisers. In collaboration with my manager, I identified a critical gap in Fundraisers’ understanding of the charities they represented and the donor communities they engaged with. Through this process, I recognized the effectiveness and scalability of learning Management Systems, even for medium-sized organizations such as CAUSEWORX.”
“My internship as a Project and Strategy Associate at CAUSEWORX Inc., a non-profit fundraising and consulting organization, was a formative experience that allowed me to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting while creating value for both my employer and the DeGroote and McMaster communities.”
“My time at Canadian Tire Bank was defined by a shift in mindset and the company’s commitment to my learning. I learned that being an intern is not about waiting for instructions; it is about proactively seeking gaps and filling them with value. From rebuilding an onboarding program to building bridges for my fellow students, I strove to add incremental value to every opportunity and interaction I had. I am returning to McMaster not just as a student with a resume line, but as a professional ready to apply a higher standard of excellence to my academic and extracurricular endeavors.”
“On the Customer Acquisition team, I spearheaded the inaugural ‘Double Welcome Bonus’ campaign for Western Canada, leveraging the Petro-Canada partnership to drive cross-banner engagement. This initiative generated a 10,000-application increase over 2024 and injected over $43,000 in loyalty rewards back into the ecosystem.”

Need Help?

See below for help navigating the Co-op application process and some frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more information about the internship program? Visit our Co-op Program FAQ. 

Internship FAQ

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Need a question answered? Contact our Career and Professional Development Team.

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The DSB Student Services team is your first line of support during your time at DeGroote. We’re here to talk to you about anything. Contact us and a member of our team will respond.

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