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.
Cooperative 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 integrating the student’s academic studies in a workplace setting. Internship are normally paid positions.
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.