The Waterloo Catholic District School Board offers the University Cooperative Education Program (UCEP) in partnership with St. Jerome’s University, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

This program provides students who have achieved high academic success to experience university life before leaving secondary school. In this program, students can earn a university credit, one or two Grade 12 secondary school credits (taught by secondary school teachers at the university), and two Co-op credits.

Learn more about the program here.

UCEP enables students to:

• experience a transitional program from secondary school to university
• explore an area of study in a university environment and plan future educational paths
• establish a wealth of knowledge beneficial for future academic endeavours (post-secondary studies, university applications, scholarships)
• enhance personal growth and life skills (time management, communication, teamwork and employability skills)

Students are responsible for their own transportation to the university campus, tuition and text book costs.

UCEP students are considered part-time university students and therefore have all of the same privileges and responsibilities. To be successful in this program, students need to be independent and self-motivated.

Cooperative Education

Students are placed with a supervisor or professor at one of the universities. They assist in a project and research work in an area of interest to them. (2 credits)

Grade 12 Courses

Students take one or two Grade 12 courses, taught by WCDSB teachers, at the university campus. Courses offered are dependent on student enrollment and may include: Math, English, Religion

University Course

In consultation with UCEP staff, students apply for part-time study at university for a .5 credit course. Acceptance by the university registrar is based on the student’s grade average and completed pre-requisite courses. Students are responsible for tuition costs and related expenses.