The University of Waterloo is a member of the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE). In 1979 CAFCE established the Accreditation Council to regulate post-secondary Co-operative Education programs in Canada and to accredit those programs which meet specific criteria. The purpose of the accreditation process is to ensure the quality of the Co-operative Education program. Accredited programs must meet the following criteria:

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