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: 

All students must register for the Work-Integrated Project 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. 

Co-op Job Search

All students are expected to conduct a self-directed co-op search based on the following criteria:  

  • All co-op positions must align to the academic program outcomes*  
  • Positions must meet minimum/maximum required hours: 
    • Unpaid co-op, 240 hours max 
    • Paid co-op, minimum 360 hours to a maximum 600 hours within a 15-week period during Semester 3 

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher by the end of Semester 1,  during the second semester, will have access to pre-approved co-op jobs on GBCareers.

*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 Field.EducationSCT@georgebrown.ca.  

International Students

International students are responsible for entering the co-op placement with a valid co-op work permit for the duration of their 15-week, curriculum-based work term.  

It is important to note that the co-op work permit is no longer valid after the final day of Semester 3. Please contact Mariana Razzak (Mariana.Razzak@georgebrown.ca), International Student Advisor, to discuss employment opportunities that extend beyond Semester 3. 

Co-op Process

Step 1: Attend an Experiential Learning presentation that will be hosted in Semester 1 during scheduled class time. The Field Education Office will provide presentation dates and times via email. 

Step 2: Attend the Career Planning and Portfolio Development course in Semester 2 to ensure application materials (such as cover letters and resumes) are up to industry standards. 

Step 3: Apply for jobs through a self-directed search and/or GBCareers.

Step 4: Once a student has secured a co-op position, complete the following steps: 

  1. Submit this form: SCT Confirmed Co-op Placement Details.
  2. Email Field.EducationSCT@georgebrown.ca a copy of your offer letter and the job description.

Step 5: Students will gain access to their co-op course and must complete and submit the following items on Brightspace:

  1. Learning Agreement Forms, signed by the student and their employer.
  2. Unpaid co-op positions must also submit the workplace insurance (WSIB) forms, completed by the student and their employer.
  3. Final Co-op Assignment must be completed and submitted by Week 13 of Semester 3.

To defer the Co-op or Work-Integrated Project course, please contact ComputerTechnology@georgebrown.ca 

Semester 3 Registration Timeline 

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

If students receive a co-op offer after Week 1, 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. 

Terms & Conditions:

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 information in an alternative format, contact the Field Education Office at Field.EducationSCT@georgebrown.ca

School Of Design

At the School of Design, 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 3.3 or higher by the end of semester 4 for diploma programs, and semester 2 for post graduate programs. 
  • Other qualifications may apply dependant on the program of study, refer to program pages linked above for more details. 
  • 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 GBCareers/Outcome.
  • Students should also conduct a self-directed employment search; the posting must be approved by the Field Education Office before applying.
    • Contact: Theresa Kienitz, Field Education Coordinator, tkienitz@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 and Terms and Conditions. 

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.

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.

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)
  • 350 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