Laurier co-op programs earn national accreditation

April 14, 2020

Wilfrid Laurier University has received accreditation for 13 of its co-operative education programs from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada.

CEWIL Canada’s accreditation indicates significant achievements in co-op programming as the needs of students, employers and institutions change. The organization recognized Laurier for meeting and exceeding standards of quality through innovative initiatives and leadership in Canadian co-operative education.

“The accreditation council is pleased to congratulate Wilfrid Laurier University on the recent accreditation of its co-operative education programs,” says Scott Davis, chair of CEWIL Canada’s accreditation council. “As a long-standing member of CEWIL Canada, Laurier has provided extensive volunteer leadership and support in co-operative education and continues to be recognized for providing quality and innovative co-op programming for the benefit of both its co-op students and employer partners.”

Laurier received accreditation for co-op programs within the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, including the Bachelor of Business Technology Management, Bachelor of Business Administration, Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Master of Arts in Business Economics, Master of Finance, Master of Business Administration and four double-degree programs, two with the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science at Laurier and two with the University of Waterloo.

The organization also granted accreditation to the Faculty of Science’s Professional Experience Program, as well as first-time accreditation to two newer programs: Laurier’s Master of Arts in Applied Computing and Master of Arts in Communication Studies.

“Laurier is recognized as a leader in co-operative education because of strong academic programs, talented students, valuable partnerships with employers, dedicated staff who offer personal service and the university’s commitment to work-integrated learning,” says Karen McCargar, director of co-operative education and workplace partnerships at Laurier.

The accreditation process, which includes a rigorous assessment of a co-op program’s structural and quality components, is conducted by co-operative education professionals from three separate Canadian post-secondary institutions. Accreditation is granted for a period of six years.

More than 2,700 students are enrolled in co-op programs at Laurier. Learn more about the students, programs and education model that make co-op at Laurier stand out.