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Students

The first and foremost beneficiary of EL is the student. Students are eager to have real-world experience integrating their academic learning with practical experience.

Students at Toronto Metropolitan University have multiple opportunities across campus to partake in EL. Whether these opportunities are embedded into program requirements, optional accredited undertakings, entrepreneurial endeavours or pursued through one of the 10 Zones (opens in new window) , EL plays a vital role in all aspects of the student experience. We’ve put a list together of EL opportunities happening inside and outside the classroom at Toronto Metropolitan.

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Student Benefits of Experiential Learning

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Opportunity to integrate theory and practice

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Develop skills, competencies and values that will support you in your career and life

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Obtain increased academic and career clarity

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Foster and nurture professional networks and connections

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Create real-world impact through academic content

Types of Experiential Learning

As a leader in EL, Toronto Metropolitan continuously innovates and expands upon the types of EL opportunities available to students. Below are just a few examples of what we have to offer. To find out more about the EL opportunities available to you, please visit your faculty and program websites for more detailed information. You can sometimes find this information in the course descriptions or course syllabus. If you’re interested in immersing yourself in EL opportunities outside of your program or faculty, Toronto Metropolitan offers plenty of EL-based resources available to students across campus.

Case Studies

Case studies provide opportunities for students to apply their learning to real-world scenarios by working through complex, ambiguous real-world problems. Students use course concepts and theories to find solutions while considering potential risks and opportunities associated with various outcomes.

Capstone

Capstone courses and projects allow students to apply the skills and knowledge acquired from all program courses and unite topics to solve a problem. Capstone projects can be research or community-based, depending on the program of study.

Community-Based Learning

Community-based learning allows students to link theory and practice as they participate in community-engaged activities and projects to address community needs.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative education is a method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience.

Co-operative Internship

Co-operative internships link academic programs with intentional work experience. Students are able to gain firsthand experience in the industry while working, being trained and inspired by industry professionals for eight consecutive months.

Entrepreneurial

Entrepreneurial experiential learning allows students to apply their degree coursework to real-world startups, causes, companies, projects or ventures. Students can utilize mentorship, resources, and space, to engage in the early-stage development of business start-ups or to address real-world needs for academic credit. 

Equity-Centered Learning

Equity-centred experiential learning includes activities within diverse communities that improve outcomes of social, environmental and community wellbeing. These opportunities promote a systemic justice lens, decenter Western and Eurocentric ways of being and knowing, develop critical self-reflection and/or explore personal narratives through an understanding of how power, privilege, bias and discrimination operate.

External Project

External projects have students apply course concepts while working with external partners and organizations to find solutions and create recommendations for real-life issues faced by external partners. External partners are encouraged to provide students feedback as a meaningful solution is created.

Field Studies

Field studies are experiences that may be directed or mediated by an instructor and include a variety of time-sensitive tasks that require varying levels of student participation outside of the classroom. Field studies can include fieldwork, experiences, trips and site visits that allow students to be immersed in while applying and gaining deeper understanding of course concepts.

Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services

Provides specialized services for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students on campus to develop a mutually productive relationship between Toronto Metropolitan University and the Indigenous Community.

International Learning

International learning refers to opportunities taking place outside of Canada. At TMU, Global Learning manages and supports global learning programming for students, coordinates international experiences, and forms partnerships to advance community engagement, innovation and global awareness.

Internships

Internships allow students to apply and expand their knowledge and skills in a work-related, professional environment. Linking an academic program with work experience, students engage in work during the academic study year in a program-related field. Internships are typically unpaid and require a certain amount of hours for completion. Opportunities may be full or part-time.

Lab Work

Lab work provides students with hands-on application of course concepts, tools and techniques in a controlled setting. Labs are not limited to science-related fields and are typically conducted during the academic school year.

Land-Based Learning

Land-based learning typically occurs in a localized context, exposing students to indigenous and community based narratives and experiences. These programs may be Indigenous-led or work to meaningfully incorporate Indigenous knowledges under the guidance of Indigenous Knowledge Holders and Elders, with whom the students may engage with.

Simulations

Live actor simulations offer students the opportunity to engage with academic content through content-specific scenarios. Simulations are designed to emulate “real-life” situations where students can interact with an actor and employ interpersonal skills appropriate for the situation. Immediate feedback from the simulator allows each participant to reflect on their interpersonal abilities. Through simulations, students can internalize knowledge and skills that they can subsequently apply to their professional careers. 

Practicum/Placement

Practicum/Placements allow students to apply theories and techniques learned within a classroom to a supervised practice-related environment. All work experience is under the supervision of a registered or licensed professional. Students are often unpaid but receive academic credit as experience is often required for professional licensing or accreditation.

Research Projects

Research projects are considered experiential learning when they constitute a major course component, involve a process of substantial discovery, and offer opportunity for the synthesis or application of information to solve a particular problem innovatively and originally.  Students can work on projects developed through collaboration with community partners or organizations to identify, analyze, and solve issues or opportunities. They can be done individually or in a team setting.

Student Research

Toronto Metropolitan University offers world-class training to students through EL and research opportunities. The OVPRI is committed to building student capacity imparting the skills necessary to become the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

Studio

Studio based experiential learning offers students the ability to develop technical skills while applying course concepts in a controlled setting. Studio courses are not limited to design or Arts related fields.

TMU Zones

Toronto Metropolitan’s Zones provide students with the opportunity to cultivate, organize and manage a startup business, social enterprise, or innovative concept from development through to implementation.

 

Faculty Specific Resources

Toronto Metropolitan faculties offer students specific additional resources. Below are some of the ways your faculty can assist you. Please visit your faculty or program website for a specific overview of what is available to you.

Faculty of Arts
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The Student Experience Centre helps Arts students engage with their faculty and community, make connections and accomplish their goals. They offer personal and career counselling, leadership training, community involvement opportunities, student funding, links to campus-wide services and more.

Faculty of Community Services
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FCS Students have the opportunity to develop practical knowledge and skills through classroom learning, internships, field placements, co-op, simulations, online activities and other EL opportunities.

Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
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Second-year FEAS students are encouraged to explore and develop their potential while creating professional goals and developing crucial communication and interpersonal skills through the FEAS NEXT program.

Faculty of Law
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The Law Practice Program (LPP) conducted in partnership with LAS is an approved pathway to lawyer licensing in Ontario that offers simulated, virtual training with a hands-on work term.

Faculty of Science
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Science students have the opportunity to participate in co-op placements, global exchanges and research assistantships, among other outreach and event opportunities.

Ted Rogers School of Management
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TRSM Students have access to co-op opportunities, international exchanges and career-related support through The Business Career Hub.

The Creative School
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Students at the Creative School have access to EL opportunities through hands-on learning experiences, unique industry partnerships, global opportunities, or industry experience and networking partnerships.

Don't see your EL opportunity or resource here? Reach out to us at experiential@torontomu.ca and we will add it!

FAQs

There may be fees related to experiential learning (co-ops, internships, placements/practicums, etc.) which will be shared with students before the start of the opportunity. Students are encouraged to review program details and course syllabus to understand financial requirements. Funding and bursaries may be available to support offset the cost of experiential learning expenses. Students are encouraged to connect with their program departments to find out more information about accessing funding. 

Duration and time commitments will differ depending on the type of experiential learning opportunity. Students can check with their experiential learning opportunity providers or program departments for additional information.

Students enrolled in courses with experiential learning components will receive academic credit according to the course outline. 

Students are encouraged to connect with their program departments and EL opportunity providers regarding specific accommodation needs to ensure full participation. 

Have additional questions? Contact us at experiential@torontomu.ca, and we would be happy to direct you.