1. Introduction - Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
Work-Integrated learning (WIL) integrates a student’s academic studies in a workplace/practice setting. WIL includes a partnership between an academic program, a host organization, and a student. Work-Integrated Learning may include:
Capstone Projects: These senior culminating experiences require students to draw upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities developed through their degree program. Capstones often engage external organizations or industry partners.
Consulting Projects: Student groups engage with a community or industry partner to identify and analyze issues or opportunities within the organization and develop a solution or strategy for moving forward.
Co-operative Education: Students complete fulltime, work terms with an employer partner, integrating their academic studies with work experience. Students typically alternate between academic terms and work terms. Co-operative education positions are normally paid positions.
Internships: Students participate in a discipline‐specific, supervised, and structured work term(s) integrating the student’s academic studies in a workplace setting. Internships are normally paid positions. The University offers a variety of internship opportunities for students:
Formalized internship placement programs where students complete a required internship component in addition to the regular requirements for their degree. These are recognized on the parchment.
Course‐based internship opportunities that are required within a degree program.
Course‐based internship opportunities that are optional or extra to degree.
Professional/Clinical Practice/Field Experience/Practica: Students work under the supervision of a professional in the field in a placement that integrates the student’s academic studies in a workplace/practice setting. In some cases, these placements are required for professional certification.
Projects/Placements Community-Engaged Learning (PPCEL): PPCEL courses involve projects or placements designed in partnership with community organizations to address a community-identified need. In addition to helping students develop disciplinary knowledge and skills, PPCEL courses help students develop a sense of civic consciousness and contribute to the public good.
Safety Considerations: The safety and security of students participating in an experiential learning placement (including Co‐operative Education/Internship placements) is a high priority for both the university as well as the placement organisation. Students should receive training from both parties on health and safety protocols in the workplace that are relevant to them. If students find themselves in what they perceive to be an unsafe environment of any kind, including in which they experience inappropriate and/or unethical behaviour or treatment, they should inform their university contact and their industry or community supervisor immediately for advice and support with resolution of the situation.