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 experience their field or industry and learn what’s expected of them before graduating.

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 a choice between co-op or work integrated project:

To Qualify for Co-op:

  • Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher by the end of semester 1.
  • Receive a B+ on the cover letter and resume assignment in the co-op prep course.
  • Student must secure a position related to their academic program outcomes and meet minimum/maximum required hours:
    • Unpaid co-op, 240 hours max
    • Paid co-op, minimum 360 hours

To Apply for Co-op:

  • Students in programs T431, T175/T475, T402, T405, T440, and T465 are pre-registered for the Work Integrated Project (WIP) course in the third semester. Students who meet the qualifications for co-op will be registered manually by the Field Education Office. When web registration opens on Stu-View for the third semester, students must make a payment of $500.
  • Students are provided access to pre-approved job postings through GBCareers.
  • Students must also conduct a self-directed employment search in addition to the jobs available on GBCareers. The position must align to your academic program outcomes. If you are unsure a job posting is aligned to your program, follow the steps below:
    • Copy the job posting and highlight the sections where you believe it aligns to your program outcomes.
    • Email the above information to Field.EducationSCT@georgebrown.ca
  • If students choose to conduct a self-directed employment search, the posting must be approved by the Field Education Office before applying  
  • Note: Unapproved jobs that do not meet the academic program outcomes will not be qualified for co-op credit
  • If you decide to drop the co-op or WIP course, or postpone the third semester, you can drop the course via Stu-view or send an email to ComputerTechnology@georgebrown.ca

Important Dates:

  • Last week to leave a Work Integrated Project is at the end of Week 1 of the third semester.
  • Last week to request to be registered for co-op is Week 5 of the third semester.
  • For students registering for co-op between Week 2-5 of the third semester, the student must also maintain their work integrated project commitment, and consult their program coordinator for accommodations, otherwise face academic penalty.

Co-op Work Term Workflow:

Step 1: Attend your Work Term Preparation course in Semester 2 to ensure your resume and cover letter are up to industry standards.

Step 2: Apply for jobs through GBCareers or Self-Directed search.

Step 3: Once you have 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 4: The Field Education Office will manually register you into co-op if your position is approved.

Step 5: Students who are registered in the co-op course will be granted access to Brightspace. Students must complete the following items in Brightspace:

  1. Learning Agreement Forms must be completed by you and your employer and submitted within 2 weeks from your co-op start date.
  2. Unpaid co-op positions must submit the WSIB form, completed by you and the employer.
  3. Final Co-op Assignment must be completed and submitted on the Monday of Week 14 of your 3rd semester (co-op work term semester).

Terms & Conditions:

Students who participate in co-op work term search and co-op course must adhere to the Terms & Conditions outlined by the Field Education Office. Failure to follow the terms & conditions may result in denied access to GBCareers or academic penalty.

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