The Social Science Co-op Program (SSCP) aims to provide 4 – 16-month practical degree-related experience in a paid, employment setting. All students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program with an Honours Specialization, Specialization or Major in the Faculty of Social Science at Western University are eligible to enroll in the Social Science Co-op Program.

Students must also satisfy the eligibility requirements which are to: (i) be registered in full-time* academic studies at Western University (ii) be in good standing with their Department or program module as appropriate. International students are eligible to apply for the program.

Students interested in the Social Science Co-op Program should apply through Western Connect (http://connect.uwo.ca). Students apply to the program in the fall of each year to complete a 4-month work term. Students enrolled in a 20.0-credit degree program may apply in the fall term of their third year of study to complete between two to four consecutive 4-month work terms.

Students who meet the academic eligibility criteria will be required to attend preparatory workshops and meet other requirements included in Social Science 3996A/B/Y prior to their first work term. Students who are successful in securing a 4-month co-op will pay a fee and receive 0.5 credit for Social Science 3996A/B/Y upon successful completion of the first work term. Students who are unsuccessful in securing a co-op will be withdrawn from Social Science 3996A/B/Y without academic penalty and will not be liable for the co-op fee.

Students who secure a second 4-month co-op and meet the requirements of Social Science 3997A/B/Y will pay a fee and receive 0.5 credit for Social Science 3997A/B/Y upon successful completion of the second work term. Students who are not successful in securing a co-op will be withdrawn from Social Science 3997A/B/Y without academic penalty and will not be liable for the co-op fee.

Students who secure a third 4-month co-op will pay a fee and achieve the “Social Science Co-op Program” themed program upon successful completion of the third work term. Students can complete a maximum of four 4-month work terms and achieve a maximum of 1.0 credit.

Each four-month work term will be recorded on the Academic Transcript with a course notation:

Work term 1 – Social Science 3910A/B/Y
Work term 2 – Social Science 3920A/B/Y
Work term 3 – Social Science 3930A/B/Y
Work term 4 – Social Science 3940A/B/Y

A co-op fee will be charged for each 4-month work term.

Students who qualify to receive a continuing scholarship in the academic year in which they participate in the Social Science Co-op Program are permitted to defer receipt of the scholarship for one year.

Students may not take any academic courses during the co-op work term courses, unless granted special permission by the Associate Dean (Undergraduate), Faculty of Social Science. Only those students with a cumulative average of at least 75% should apply for special permission.

Participating students will continue to have access to the student health plan while on work term.

*Students registered with Accessible Education are considered full-time if enrolled in 40% of a full-time course load (i.e., 1.0 credit or more per term).

For additional information, please visit https://www.ssc.uwo.ca/undergraduate/InternshipsSocialScience/InternshipInformationStudents/index.html.