MSVU has a co-op component in the following programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Public Relations, and Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management. Business administration and public relations students are available each semester for co-op work terms (January – April, May – August and September – December). Tourism students complete summer work terms only (May – August or May – mid October).

MSVU also has an internship component in the following programs: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Public Relations. Interns are available in the summer (May – August) for paid work terms.

MSVU co-op and internship students are ambitious professionals who are eager to contribute to your team. Hiring a student gives you the chance to shape careers and provide valuable mentorship to new talent. It also creates a pipeline for future employment opportunities in your organization.

As an employer partner, you play an integral role in the student’s education. Your feedback, guidance and mentorship are key to the success of the work term. Your role as an employer will be to assist the student in establishing a personal learning plan for the work term, to participate in the midterm work site visit with a university representative, to provide guidance on the student’s work term project, and to evaluate the student’s progress at the end of the work term.

Review the Important Dates to ensure you don’t miss any upcoming deadlines.

Each position must meet the following requirements in order to post with us:

  1. The position must guarantee a minimum of 13 consecutive weeks of work
  2. The position must be a minimum of 35 hours per week
  3. The position must be paid

Mount Saint Vincent University is committed to the delivery of high quality academic programming. MSVU demonstrates this commitment by adopting the recruiting ethics and the accreditation standards of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL). The responsibilities of each of the partners (the student, the employer, and MSVU) are described below.

It is the student’s responsibility to:

  • Abide by the co-op & internship policies and procedures of the institution.
  • Ensure that employers are provided with accurate and appropriate information regarding their qualifications and interests.
  • Proceed with a co-op or internship position once a job offer has been accepted.
  • Honour their acceptance of a work term as a contractual agreement with the employer.
  • Not provide information to employers about other students or employers.
  • Fully participate in the evaluation process (setting a personal learning plan, participating in the work site visit, reviewing the employer evaluation form and completing the work term report/project).

It is the employer’s responsibility to:

  • Oversee a recruitment process that respects the diverse range of cultural backgrounds, experiences, and socioeconomic contexts of students. Additionally, facilitate a hiring process that is flexible for students who may require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) resources are available at msvu.ca/co-op.
  • Respect MSVU’s schedules regarding co-op & internship position postings, interview arrangements and the direct offer process.
  • Provide accurate job posting information including salary, location and dates of employment.
  • Provide reasonable notice of candidates to be interviewed and of interview cancellations.
  • Allow all co-op & internship position offers to be made through the Co-op & WIL Centre, and not discuss offers with candidates before, during or following an interview.
  • Not seek a candidate’s assessment of other candidates.
  • Honour all job offers and not renege accepted offers or rescind offers of employment.
  • Confirm all co-op and internship position offers in writing.
  • Not translate a co-op or internship assignment into a full-time position, encouraging a student to settle for less education.
  • To fully participate in the evaluation process (setting a personal learning plan with the student, participating in the work site visit and completing the employer evaluation form).
  • Provide mentorship and foster a supportive learning environment for the student by; offering guidance, providing regular feedback, creating an environment where students can gain hands-on experience, providing access to resources and training opportunities, defining clear learning outcomes and expectations, and cultivating a positive and inclusive culture.

It is MSVU’s responsibility to:

  • Inform students, employers, and other interested parties of the policies and procedures.
  • Provide equal services to all students and employers.
  • Accommodate employers’ reasonable requests for posting positions and interview requests.
  • Promote MSVU’s co-op and internship programs to employers, including average salaries and strategies to attract student applicants.
  • Provide support to students and employers during the recruitment, hiring, and work term stages of co-op and internships.
  • Foster opportunities for student reflection in accordance with CEWIL accreditation standards.

Hiring a MSVU co-op or internship student is easy! To post a co-op or internship position, log in to our work-integrated learning portal, Career Connects. Career Connects allows you to submit job postings, review applications, arrange interviews and submit rankings following interviews. You can view the Career Connects Employer User Guide on our Employer Resources page.

New employers can create a Career Connects account by following these steps:

  1. Go to Career Connects
  2. Click on “Login Now”
  3. Click on “Employer”
  4. Click on “Click Here to Register”
  5. Fill in the online registration form

If you are a returning employer, please login to Career Connects using your email address. If you forget your password, learn how to reset it on page 3 of the Career Connects Employer User Guide.

We’re often asked by employers how they can enhance their job postings. With over 45 years of co-op under our belt, we’ve taken note of the types of jobs students gravitate toward. If you’re posting a co-op or internship position, here are a few key tips to help your role stand out:

  • Use clear, resume-boosting titles (e.g. “Marketing Assistant” instead of “Co-op Student”)
  • Specify location details, including whether the role is remote or hybrid
  • Include salary or a salary range — this is a top priority for students
  • Highlight growth opportunities, mentorship, and workplace culture
  • Keep qualifications realistic and accessible

Review this article for more detailed tips on creating an attractive co-op or internship job posting.

The primary cost to the employer is the student’s wage. The chart below provides you with a good indication of the salary employers pay students in each program.

Business Administration

Average Salary for 2025: $19.50

Work Term 1
Salary Range: $16.25 – $25.00
Average Salary: $19.50

Work Term 2
Salary Range: $18.00 – $20.00
Average Salary: $19.00

Work Term 3
Salary Range: $18.00 – $21.75
Average Salary: $20.00

Public Relations

Average Salary for 2025: $21.00

Work Term 1
Salary Range: $16.00 – $28.50
Average Salary: $21.00

Work Term 2
Salary Range: $17.00 – $27.00
Average Salary: $20.75

Work Term 3
Salary Range: $20.00 – $27.75
Average Salary: $21.75

Tourism & Hospitality Management

Average Salary for 2025: $16.75

Work Term 1
Salary Range: $15.75 – $21.75
Average Salary: $16.75

Work Term 2
Salary Range: $16.25 – $18.50
Average Salary: $17.00

Work Term 3
Salary Range: $17.00 – $20.00
Average Salary: $18.00

Arts & Science Internship

Average Salary for 2025: $21.50

Salary Range: $19.00 – $24.75

Other costs to you, may include:

  • Benefits (vacation pay, EI, CPP, and Workers’ Compensation contributions)
  • Overhead (allocation of a desk, chair, computer, etc.)
  • Supervisory time
  • Travel costs, if you wish to reimburse the student for the costs of relocating
  • Performance bonuses

Salaries are based on positions filled for the winter, summer and fall 2025 work terms.

Co-operative Education Incentive (Nova Scotia employers only)

Funding is available for Nova Scotia employers through Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration’s Co-operative Education Incentive (CEI) program. This funding program is available for all three co-op work terms (fall, winter and summer). Visit the CEI funding program website, www.novascotia.ca/programs/co-op-education-incentive, for more information. This funding opportunity is only open to employers hiring a co-operative education student. Employers who hire an internship student should seek alternate funding options listed below.

Student Summer Skills Incentive (Nova Scotia employers only)

The Nova Scotia government’s Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL) funding program is available in the summer term only. The program provides not-for-profit organizations registered as a charity or active society with Registry of Joint Stock Companies a wage subsidy. Visit the SKILL website, novascotia.ca/programs/student-summer-skills-incentive/ for more information. Employers who receive this funding may hire a co-op or internship student.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

The Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) gives post-secondary students paid work experience related to their field of study. A list of SWPP partners are posted on the CEWIL Canada website, www.cewilcanada.ca (refer to “Resources” and then “Employers & Community Partners”). A wage subsidy is available to eligible employers.

BioTalent Canada
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)
Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA)
Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)
Cultural Human Resource Council (CHRC)
Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)
Environment Careers Organization Canada (ECO Canada)
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC)
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)
Magnet
Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)
TECHNATION (formerly ITAC)
Tourism HR Canada
Trucking Human Resources Canada
Venture for Canada

*It is important to review the guidelines when hiring a student once you receive funding.

Typically, public relations and business administration students complete their first co-op following two years of study. They complete their second and third work terms in the typical sequence provided below.

Given the nature of the industry, tourism & hospitality management students complete all three co-ops in the summer. Given this, you can expect a range of first to third year students applying to your summer co-op positions.

Bachelor of Arts and Science and Master of Public Relations internship students typically complete one work term in the summer following their third year of study.

Here is typical sequencing for students entering into the public relations, business administration, and tourism & hospitality management co-op programs:

Public Relations and Business Administration

Tourism & Hospitality Management

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Logo As a large hospitality employer in Halifax, partnerships for talent in the market like the MSVU Co-op & WIL Centre is critical to our success in filling our talent needs annually. The MSVU Co-op & WIL Centre has developed a strong reputation with our property for their commitment to providing high quality, organized, professional and timely support. Their Career Connects Portal is easy to use and communication with the Co-op & WIL Team is professional and timely. Given MSVU’s annual co-op posting timeline (organized for early January) we often interview and hire MSVU students first for co-op roles.
Director of Human Resources, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront

 

Halifax Partnership LogoHalifax Partnership has hired MSVU public relations co-op students for over 15 years. Students bring fresh thinking and ideas, new skills, and incredible energy to our organization. It’s also an excellent way to attract and retain talent and support young professionals who want to start and grow their careers in our city. I would highly encourage other employers to hire through the MSVU co-op program. It’s a win-win experience.
Director of Marketing Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Halifax Partnership

 

Canadian Forces Base Crest Logo “Mount Saint Vincent University co-op students are invaluable members of our team at Canadian Forces Base Halifax Public Affairs. They bring energy, ideas and modern approaches to our business each and every day while adding critical capacity to our team. Their adaptability, motivation and respectful demeanor are all qualities that contribute to a positive and productive work environment. Above all, we learn from our students as much as they learn from us while building professional relationships that last well beyond the conclusion of each work term.”
Senior Base Public Affairs Officer, Canadian Forces Base Halifax

 

Association of Psychologists Nova Scotia Logo “Our Association has benefitted hugely from the MSVU Co-op Program. It allows us to access students who have expertise in public relations, which fills a knowledge gap in our permanent staff. Co-op students have recent, specialized knowledge to which we do not have ready access. Our experience has been that Co-op students are enthusiastic about their career choice and want to share their knowledge.  Our contribution to this partnership is to provide a window into the “real world” applications of public relations in a not-for-profit environment. Co-op students are eager to learn about our organization and the profession we represent. The sharing of expertise between our staff and volunteers and Co-op students enriches both sides of he equation.”
Executive Director, Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia

 

Master Promotions Ltd. Logo “Master Promotions Ltd. has had great success with the MSVU co-op program. Having recruited from both the Bachelor of Public Relations and Bachelor of Business Administration – we have found quality students. These students come prepared and ready to put their classroom skills to work in an office environment. They are keen, professional, and eager to absorb as much as they can over their 4-month work term. With Master we have the opportunity to see them perform in an office setting, and also at our events, which truly gives different perspectives for them to foster work experience. I am happy that all our hires have been incredible both in a professional office environment as well as on a busy event situation. The students come with a skillset for software – so when you throw them into programs like Hootsuite, WordPress, social media, Constant Contact or others – they pick it up quickly and thrive. We have turned co-op terms into part-time employment and then full time employment after graduation. You are getting bright students who are eager to put their skills to work! I would recommend for anyone to hire a MSVU co-op student!”
Senior Manager, Marketing and Operations, Master Promotions Ltd. 

 

Government of Canada Logo“MSVU co-op students get a chance to bring their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the team, and to work on a very wide variety of tasks. They also get an invaluable opportunity to see how government works, which will help them in their careers – whether they end up in working in public, private or non-profit organizations.”
Manager, Atlantic Area Communications, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

For more information on hiring a MSVU co-op or internship student, contact co-opjobs@msvu.ca.