Program Overview

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PhD Co-op Program Overview

The UBC Arts Co-op Program offers PhD Co-op options for students in various programs, including English, French, Gender, Race, and Social Justice (GRSJ), Germanic Studies, Hispanic and Italian Studies, History, and Philosophy. Through Co-op, PhD students can build valuable skills and experience that will extend and enrich their career options in both academic and alternative workplaces.

Eligibility

PhD students entering their second and third year are most likely to have time in their academic schedule for co-op work terms. However, if a student thinks they will have two years of study available in which to schedule three four-month work terms, they are welcome to apply. PhD students who have achieved candidacy or can reasonably expect to do so by Spring of the next year can apply in the Fall to join. SSHRC-holders and international students are both eligible to apply.

Overview of a Co-op Journey

The Co-op journey consists of several steps:

1. Initial Meeting: The student reaches out to the Manager, Graduate Work-Integrated Learning Programs, Arts to set up an initial meeting to discuss Co-op and their interest in joining.
2. Application: The student requests and fills out an application to join the program. All applicants who meet the criteria for joining Co-op will be invited to participate in a 45-minute conversation with the Manager and a faculty member of their department.
3. Training and Coaching: All new Co-op students receive one-on-one training and coaching to develop their resume, cover letter, interview, and networking skills.
4. Job Search: The student begins their search for Co-op positions, looking for jobs both on internal Co-op job boards and through outreach into their or other networks.
5. Co-op Work Term: The student starts their first co-op work term, after which they can alternate between research and dissertation semesters and their two additional co-op work terms.

Terms and Conditions

Please note that if a student is admitted into the Arts Co-op Program, they will be asked to sign and submit a Terms & Conditions document, which outlines the Program's guidelines.

How PhD Co-op Works

Co-operative education is a curricular program that allows students to develop career skills for work outside the traditional academic career path. Students will have access to various resources to help support their job search and build career skills.

Length and Number of Work Terms

PhD Co-op students are required to complete three four-month work terms. This will add one additional year to the length of their PhD unless they can write their dissertation while on their work terms. UBC Graduate Studies has agreed that the length of degree requirements will not be affected by their co-op work terms.

Mandatory Co-op Training

The Arts Co-op Program coordinates six hours of pre-employment training for all new PhD Co-op students, some of which is scheduled synchronously, with accommodations for their availability.

Departmental Support

Each PhD Co-op Program is jointly run by the Arts Co-op Office and the respective academic department. In each department, the PhD Co-op option is co-run by a designated faculty member.

Co-op Fees

PhD Co-op students will have to cover three types of fees:

• Co-op Administrative and Workshop Fee: A one-time fee of $282.75 (the standard amount set by UBC Senate for all UBC Co-op programs).
• Co-op Course Fees: A fee of $871.75 per course, which will be paid three times, one for each work term.
• Tuition: While on their co-op work term, students must pay their regular tuition and student fees.

Co-op Wages

Previous PhD co-op students have been paid $20-30 per hour. Wages vary depending on the sector, and are based on current labour market realities and are up to the employer to determine.

Employers and Roles

Co-op employers gear their offers specifically to short-term projects. In the past, PhD students have completed their work terms in the following fields:

• Communications/public relations
• Academic administration
• Governmental and NGO research positions
• Training management
• Project management

International Students

International students must meet the same eligibility requirements as other PhD Co-op candidates to enter the program. However, once accepted, international students must apply for a special co-op work visa from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This will entitle them to work in Canada for their three co-op terms. There is no cost to apply for this visa.