Trent University is launching new paid co-op streams in the Criminology B.A. and Communications B.A. programs, bringing the total number of growing co-op streams to 23, designed to meet the interests and demands of prospective students for hands-on career experience.

“The value of an arts degree—either from the Humanities or Social Sciences—has grown significantly in recent years as skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and human-centred decision making are increasingly being sought after in all different types of organizations and sectors,” says Dr. Mark Skinner, dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Trent University. “Now, with these additional new co-op streams, students will be able to gain first-hand experience in applying and refining these skills and knowledge and see how far their education can take them.”

Criminology at Trent is now one of the only Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Criminology degrees in Canada with a co-op stream. The Criminology co-op stream will be offered at Trent University’s campuses in Peterborough and Durham in the Greater Toronto Area, while the Communications program and co-op stream is offered exclusively at Trent’s Durham campus. The new co-op streams feature three paid work terms over the four-year degrees, earning students 12 months of income and experience by the time they graduate. 

Unique to Trent University, Careerspace—the University’s career planning, experiential learning and professional development hub—will coordinate work placement activity for these new co-op streams, as well as most of Trent’s 21 other co-op streams.

“Experiential learning and getting work experience while completing their degree is incredibly important to students as it helps them explore different sectors, roles, and skills, giving them a career advantage upon graduation,” said Kevin Whitmore, director of Careerspace at Trent. “What Careerspace brings to the co-op stream offerings at Trent is dedicated guidance for students to help them find placements that are the right fit and the right applied learning at the right point in their degree. This allows faculty and staff within the programs to focus on the students’ academic offerings in the program, but they can also act as career advisors.”

Careerspace will lead efforts to recruit employers who will offer co-op positions for the relevant program streams at Trent; support students with their own placement searches; and advise students through the employment process. Co-op students can also access valuable services through Careerspace, such as help with finding placements that align with their learning objectives, as well as support with resumes, cover letters and interviews.

The Criminology and Communications co-op streams are just two of several programs featuring new work-integrated learning and career preparation opportunities within the Humanities and Social Sciences at Trent.

Applications to all paid co-op streams for fall 2023 are now open. Learn more about Communications, Criminology, and all co-op streams at Trent.