Work integrated learning
At Loyalist, we believe in the power of community and first-hand experiences. That’s why we seek out opportunities for our students to gain hands-on learning with amazing employers.
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What is work integrated learning?
Work integrated learning (WIL) is a form of curricular experiential education that formally integrates a student’s academic studies with quality experiences. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of student learning objectives and outcomes related to employability, agency, knowledge and skill mobility and lifelong learning.
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WIL is a win-win for students and employers
For students
WIL provides opportunities to get the inside scoop on their future career from professionals in their field while making invaluable experiences that will prepare them for the workforce.
For employers
WIL students bring new ideas and fresh perspectives into your workplace while providing you with access to a qualified, motivated talent pool of students who may be a good fit to fill future long-term positions (find your next superstar!). WIL students can offer help where your business needs it most as they can work on a wide range of assignments, from specific projects to general support.
We offer a variety of WIL opportunities across our programs:
Students are engaged in research that occurs primarily in workplaces, includes: consulting projects, design projects, community-based research projects.
Involves work experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional (e.g. preceptor) in any discipline that requires practice-based work experience for professional licensure or certification. Practica are generally unpaid and, as the work is done in a supervised setting, typically students do not have their own workload/caseload.
Co-op consists of alternating academic terms and paid work terms. Co-op internship consists of several co-op work terms back-to-back. In both models, work terms provide experience in a workplace setting related to the student’s field of study. The number of required work terms varies by program; however, the time spent in work terms must be at least 30% of the time spent in academic study for programs over two years in length and 25% of time for programs two years and shorter in length.
Provides students with an intensive part-time/short-term intensive hands-on practical experience in a setting relevant to their subject of study. Field placements may not require supervision of a registered or licensed professional and the completed work experience hours are not required for professional certification. Field placements account for work-integrated educational experiences not encompassed by other forms, such as co-op, clinic, practicum, and internship.
Community Service Learning (CSL) integrates meaningful community service with classroom instruction and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. In practice, students work in partnership with a community-based organization to apply their disciplinary knowledge to a challenge identified by the community.
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Contact us
For more information about WIL at Loyalist College, contact:
Erin Clow – Director, Work Integrated Learning
Email: eclow@loyalistcollege.com
Tel: 613-969-1913, ext. 2362
Are you an industry partner looking to connect about WIL?
Please reach out to our Industry Partnership Office at ipo@loyalistcollege.com.