What is Experiential Learning (EL)?

Experiential Learning (EL) is, broadly, learning through reflection on experience. 

Experiential Learning encompasses a variety of programming types that give students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop crucial skills, such as: work-integrated learning (WIL), co-op, internship, field experience, practicum, community engaged learning, study abroad, or (in some cases) co-curricular programming.

Find EL Opportunities

Many programs have EL built in, such as field experiences, labs, or project-based work. Here's how to find these classes:

  • Visit the Registration page in PAWS and select "Register for Classes"
  • Select "Browse classes"
  • Select the term
  • Select the subject(s) in which you are interested
  • Select "Advanced Search"
  • Under Attribute, select a specific type of experiential learning:
    • Research focus
    • Work/Entrepreneurship focus
    • Problem/project/design focus
    • Comm engaged/service focus
    • Creative practice focus
  • Select "Search"
  • The results are classes with an experiential learning component. Read the course description for more information.

Can’t find an opportunity? Meet with an Academic Advisor.

A number of colleges at the University of Saskatchewan offer practical learning experiences. These experiences may be optional or required, for-credit or non-credit, and can vary in length and commitment.

Arts and Science

Education

Edwards School of Business

Emmanuel and St. Chad

Engineering

Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

Law

Nursing

Pharmacy and Nutrition

Physical Therapy

Public Health

St. Thomas More

Level Up brings real projects from organizations into Universities. Get immersed in industry projects and get equipped with work-ready skills. LEVEL UP your resume by completing short-term, 60 hour projects over two to eight weeks from organizations and get paid $1,400 to do it! Show future employers you have the real skills they need.

CELP provides USask students with a structured project-based learning experience. These partnerships are driven by employer and community partner priorities that provide reciprocal benefits to both partners and students. Students can engage with employers in a 30-hour, impactful project where they will develop their core competencies. While completing these projects students have opportunities to reflect, share, act on their core competencies, and receive a bursary.

Contact program lead Tenneisha Nelson for more information and to be added to the mailing list on upcoming projects.

FUSION Skill Development Modules are interactive and engaging approximately 3 hours, self-study curriculum designed to wraparound and complement your existing experiential learning opportunity and help you enhance your skills across critical 21st century skill domains.

The Indigenous Student Internship Program is a unique opportunity designed for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students at the University of Saskatchewan to gain valuable work experience while exploring their career paths. Its goal is to support career development by helping students recognize their skills, reflect on their experiences, and grow professionally. Rooted in Indigenous Ways of Knowing, the program approaches western perspectives. By integrating these perspectives, students are empowered to navigate their careers with confidence and cultural pride.

A number of organizations coordinate experiential learning opportunities such as internships, exchanges and leaderhip programs all over the world and in a range of industries. If you are interested in interning with a certain employer, be sure to check out the careers/opportunities section of their website as many have internship experiences. Consider applying to volunteer positions in CareerLink, having a Study Abroad experience, and reviewing Additional Job Search Sites.

Please note, the University of Saskatchewan is not affiliated with any of the organizations noted above and offers this list simply to provide other options for students to explore, not as an endorsement. Programs vary considerably so be sure to research each thoroughly and inquire about such details as application fees, location, stipends/honorariums, requirements, accommodations, flights, health insurance, work visas, contract lengths, etc.

Types of EL

(Co-op alternating and co-op internship models): Co-op alternating 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 2 years in length and 25% of time for programs 2 years and shorter in length. 

Offers usually one discipline-specific, supervised, structured paid or unpaid, and for academic credit work experience or practice placement. Internships may occur in the middle of an academic program or after all academic coursework has been completed and prior to graduation. Internships can be of any length but are typically 12 to 16 months long.

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.

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.

Students are engaged in research that occurs primarily in workplaces, includes: consulting projects, design projects, community-based research projects.

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.

Intersperses one or two work terms (typically full-time) into an academic program, where work terms provide experience in a workplace setting related to the student’s field of study and/or career goals.