Experiential Learning at The Centre For Arts, Design & Information Technology

Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning is an umbrella term used to cover all opportunities available to students to take part in sector-specific learning experiences. These opportunities can take place in a variety of settings including workplaces, simulation facilities, labs, shops, and studios in both educational, workplace and practice environments. This is a chance for students to build meaningful experience in their field or industry. 

The Centre for Arts, Design & Information Technology has options for you depending on your program of study.  

School Of Computer Technology

At the School of Computer Technology, the following programs have an experiential learning component which includes the option of either Co-op Work Placement or Work-Integrated Project (WIP):

All students must register for the Work-Integrated Project (WIP) course in Semester 3 through Stu-View. Students who secure an academic aligned Co-op position will then be transferred to Co-op Work Placement once the work term is processed by the Field Education Office. 

International Students

International students are responsible for entering Semester 3 with a valid Co-op work permit. For the latest information on Co-op Work Permits for international students, please contact Mariana Razzak (Mariana.Razzak@georgebrown.ca) in the international department.

Co-op Job Search

All students are expected to conduct a self-directed search for industry-relevant Co-op roles. Students should consider the following mandatory requirements before conducting a self-directed search:

  • All Co-op positions should align with learning outcomes of the program. *
  • Students are expected to work a minimum of 360 hours to a maximum 600 hours within a 15-week period during Semester 3. 
  • All Co-op positions must be paid.

Jobs that do not align with the academic program outcomes will not be able to qualify for co-op credit. Positions may be flagged by the Field Education Office for further review.  Unsure a job posting is aligned to your academic program? Email the job description to tyanne.fluke@georgebrown.ca.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, by the end of Semester 1, will have access to industry-relevant, pre-approved co-op jobs on GBCareers in Semester 2*. These roles are collected from the School of Computer Technology’s industry partners and are updated throughout Semester 2. Please note: Co-op opportunities are often shared with other post-secondary institutions and/or public job sites. Similar roles may be found as part of your self-directed search.

*Students who are qualified to access the program aligned Co-op opportunities on GBCareers must accept the Terms & Conditions on the platform to access and apply for roles. If you have any questions or require any more information, please contact Cara Kaye at cara.kaye@georgebrown.ca.

Co-op Process

Step 1 – Registration

Log into Stu-View to register for the Work-Integrated Project course for Semester 3. To register, a one-time course fee of $500 will be charged. Students will be manually transferred into the Co-op course once position is approved by the Field Education Office.

Registration opens in Semester 2; please visit the Important Dates page for the most current information.

Step 2 – Co-op Offer Approval

Send PDF of job description and job offer to cara.kaye@georgebrown.ca.  Once paperwork is received and approved, students will receive a link to a web form. All required fields must be completed on this web form prior to submission.

After submitting the web form, you will receive an email notification that you are officially part of the Co-op course.

Approval Notes

Job Descriptions must provide detail on your duties and responsibilities. URLs/links will not be accepted.

Job Offers should contain an acknowledgement that you will be working with the organization for a specific timeframe. This document should also contain your employer’s contact information.

Send one PDF if the Job Description and Job Offer are in the same document.

Step 3 – Co-op Confirmation

Students with approved Co-ops will receive the George Brown College School of Computer Technology Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Handbook. Once in Semester 3, these students will be given access to their Co-op Brightspace Course in Semester 3.

Co-op Work Term Timelines

Week 1: Last week to leave a Work-Integrated Project for a Co-op Work Placement. 

If students receive a Co-op offer between Weeks 2–5, they may be required to maintain their Work-Integrated Project commitment in addition to completing their Co-op Work Placement*. Students should consult their program coordinator before accepting a position after Week 1.

Week 5: Last week to request to be registered for a Co-op Work Placement.

Students who wish to defer to the following semester should contact computertechnology@georgebrown.ca.

Week 13: The Final Co-op Assignment must be completed and submitted by Week 13 of Semester 3.

This assignment is found on the course Brightspace.

Alternatives to Co-op

Work-Integrated Project

Students who cannot secure a Co-op role will remain enrolled in the Work-Integrated Project course in Semester 3. Students are encouraged to contact their program coordinator for more information on the Work-Integrated Project course and in industry-relevant assignments prepared for the course.
 

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

If you have previous, relevant work experience, you can apply for Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) 

Note: You are still required to complete the WIP course since it may take some time to have your PLAR application approved. If approved, the Co-op course will appear on your academic transcript for Semester 3. For more information, including PLAR application deadlines, please visit the PLAR website.

School Of Design

At the School of Design, the following programs have a mandatory field placement:

The following programs have an optional field placement:

Field Placement Workflow

Please refer to the School of Design Field Education Workflow page to look up your program of study to see the steps to follow to successfully secure and register for a field placement.

Important Dates

  • Start/end dates for work terms — work terms typically begin on the first day of the semester and finish on the last day. Paid work terms may finish before the end of the semester. Refer to the college’s Important Dates webpage for specific dates for your academic term.
  • The last week to request to be registered for the Field Placement course is Week 5 of the semester in which your work term takes place.

PLAR Eligibility

Prior learning assessment & recognition (PLAR) is a process that gives you the opportunity to obtain academic credit for your field placement, internship, or co-op course. The prior experience must be aligned to your academic program/learning outcomes listed on the official program page. Students must complete the minimum required hours prior to applying to PLAR. Hours by program requirements are as follows:

  • 120 hours minimum; Graphic Design (G102), Interaction Design (G113), Game-Art (G119), and Design Management (G401)
  • 360 hours minimum; Web Development – Front-End Design (G418)
  • 420 hours minimum; Brand Design (G304), and Digital Experience Design (G301)

Learn more about PLAR and how to apply.

Summer Workshop

The School of Design offers a free workshop to help you develop your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. This workshop is hosted annually in August to provide students who plan to participate in Field Education the opportunity to get ahead with developing your application package. Participation is highly encouraged as employers may start their co-op/internship recruitment for the Winter semester (January – April) as early as September. Information regarding the workshop will be emailed to all students at the School of Design in June/July of each year.

School Of Fashion & Jewellery

At the School of Fashion & Jewellery, the following programs have a mandatory field placement:

The following programs have an optional field placement:

To Qualify for Optional Field Placement:

  • Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher 
  • Student must secure a position related to their academic program outcomes 

To Apply for Field Placement Positions: 

  • Students are provided access to pre-approved job postings through Outcome.
  • If students choose to conduct a self-directed employment search, the posting must be approved by the Field Education Office before applying
    • Contact: Michelle Walc, Field Education Officer, mwalc@georgebrown.ca
    • Note: Unapproved jobs that do not meet the academic program outcomes will not be qualified for field education credit.
  • Students registered for Field Placement are required to follow the Experiential Learning Student Conduct Guide. 

Land acknowledgement

George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.


Learn more about our land acknowledgment