Business Co-op Education 

Gain experience, earn money and test drive your career with NAIT’s Business Co-ops

NAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Business Administration (BA) Co-operative Education (Co-op) program allow students to apply their classroom knowledge to real workplaces and get a head start on a rewarding career. Students will gain valuable work experience and graduate with the Co-operative Education designation by alternating periods of study with full-time, paid work experiences.   

“I have gained valuable, hands-on industry experience that strengthened my job prospects and allowed me to graduate with a career in my field.”

Monique Flavell 
BBA graduate

Why choose a BBA Co-op?

group icon

Network with employers
Students meet many employers and expand their professional networks.

money icon

Higher salaries  
Starting salaries for graduating Co-op students are an average of 5-10% higher than non-Co-op students. 

line graph icon

Higher employment rates
Nearly half of students received permanent offers of employment by Co-op employers.

open book icon

Apply classroom learning
Students can apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

idea icon

Gain experience
Students can explore future careers before they graduate.

piggy bank icon

Earn money while studying 
Students earn an average of $13,500 for a 4-month work term.


Examples of positions students can expect to experience during their Co-op include:​

  • Business development intern
  • Marketing specialist
  • Social media specialist
  • Accounting intern
  • Audit intern
  • Tax intern
  • Human Resource intern 
  • Recruitment specialist
  • Finance intern
  • Investment banking intern

Who can apply?

All students in the BBA degree program are eligible for the Co-op option and can complete their first work term after their second year of study. All BA diploma students are eligible for the Co-op option and can complete their first work term when they complete a minimum of 30 credits.

NAIT does not have GPA requirements for Co-op programs. NAIT’s employment partners prefer to interview and select candidates on factors beyond good marks.  

Transfer students with a diploma can enrol after completing 9 credits of study.

International students can find the latest Co-op requirements under International Co-op Work Placement.

How it works

The BBA and BA Co-op program is highly flexible. The work term can be completed based on students’ needs and when co-op opportunities arise. 

BBA work terms must be full-time and take place over 4, 8, or 12-month terms for a total of 12 months. The BA work term takes place over 4 months. The JRSSB Co-op office actively works with industry partners to find work placements, but students are responsible for securing a position relevant to their field of study. Find out more information at Work Integrated Learning.    

Tuition for a four-month co-op work term is equivalent to the tuition for one three-credit course in the BBA and BA programs. The BBA program includes three co-op work terms, totaling 12 months of work experience, while the BA program includes one four-month co-op work term.

How to apply

To enrol in the BBA or BA Co-op program or to learn more, reach out to the Business Information Centre. 

Contact Business Information Centre (BIC)

Shopping Cart Quick View
Open Shopping Cart