A Co-operative Education Program is one that formally integrates a student's academic studies with work experience. The usual plan is for the student to alternate periods of experience in career-related fields according to the following criteria:

• Each work situation is approved by the Co-operative Education institution as a suitable learning situation
• The Co-operative Education student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing
• The Co-operative Education student receives remuneration for the work performed
• The Co-operative Education student's progress on the job is monitored by the Co-operative Education institution
• The Co-operative Education student's performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the student's employer
• The time spent in periods of work experience must be at least thirty percent of the time spent in academic study