Experiential Learning Requirements

Experiential Learning “supports students in gaining hands-on learning that helps them transition to employment”^[1]. Experiential Learning can take the form of co-operative education, degree work placement, clinical/field placement, fieldwork/simulation labs, capstone/applied research projects, and service learning.

There are many experiential learning elements in this program. Each course in this
program has some experiential component and for some courses (in the second
semester, once the fundamentals have been covered in the fall) it is a dominant
learning mode. The winter semester field placement is a required course for students in
the Museum and Cultural Management Program. In the fall Professional Practice course
students determine their individual work learning goals and research potential
placements within a museum or cultural organization (or elsewhere, if appropriate) that
provides the student with a practical learning experience. This enables you to relate
classroom theory to the practical world with the addition of a vocation specific dimension
to your career preparation. Field placement enables the student to better understand
the dynamics of the industry by augmenting classroom discussions of industry practices
and provides a competitive advantage in the job market by means of sector related work
experience.
Based on the principles of public safety, Centennial College has suspended clinical and
onsite unpaid field placements. Field and clinical placements, and all or part of unpaid
internships may be moved to teaching at a distance where feasible. In programs where
placements or unpaid internships cannot not be facilitated through alternative/distance
models, students will be allowed to complete these components at a later date.
Students are not required to complete the work experience component of their program
while public health directives are in place and students may complete placement
requirements at a later date. However, students may opt to complete their placement
requirements at sites currently deemed as essential workplaces (that are willing to
accept the student) either onsite, following appropriate health and safety protocols, or
remotely. Students who voluntarily accept such placements will be asked to read and
sign a Student Informed Consent form in order ensure that they understand their rights
and the potential health and safety risks. Similarly, employers and/or placement hosts
will be required to complete an Employer/Placement Health and Safety Site Checklist.

The status of clinical/field placements and co-op work terms will be subject to public health directives and the reopening plan. Students may complete their placement requirements at sites that are permitted to open, either onsite, following appropriate health and safety protocols, or remotely. Students will be asked to read and sign a Student Informed Consent form in order to ensure that they understand their rights and the potential health and safety risks. Similarly, employers and/or placement hosts will be required to complete an Employer/Placement Health and Safety Site Checklist.

If workplaces are not permitted to open, placements and work terms may be completed remotely where feasible. In programs where placements or unpaid internships can not be facilitated through alternative/distance models, students will be allowed to complete these components at a later date.