Applying Knowledge

Students at Ontario Tech University are encouraged to broaden their skill set and experience through practical learning related to research and the workplace. In the upper years, students have the opportunity to dig into the complexities of research through honours theses and find their career interests through practicums or internships.

Honours Thesis

Students enrolled in the Honours Thesis will complete a scholarly project on a well-defined psychological topic, to be determined in consultation with a thesis supervisor. The Honours Thesis includes attending a weekly class, where psychology thesis students will review aspects of the research process and submit written and oral accounts of their research project and its progress.

To be considered for the Honours Thesis I, students must apply during their sixth semester to begin Honours Thesis I in semester seven. In the Honours Thesis I, students will prepare a literature review and the preparation of a thesis proposal for the planned project. Regular student/supervisor meetings will also be scheduled.

To proceed to Honours Thesis II, a student must have successfully completed Honours Thesis I with a minimum B+ and prepare a written statement outlining the projected timelines for completion of the project. Honours Thesis II culminates with a written report and oral presentation of the project.

Eligible students will receive an email in their sixth term regarding the Honours Thesis program for the following academic year. Admission into the Honours Thesis is competitive, and only a limited number of applicants will be admitted. Consent is required from both the instructor and the dean.

To apply, students must be entering their fourth year of study and possess a minimum 3.7 cumulative GPA in general psychology or forensic psychology.

For more information on the honours thesis, please refer to the Academic Calendar for full course descriptions. Be sure to select the correct year of study (year you started) from the dropdown menu in the top-right corner.

Academic Calender

Experiential learning

Experiential learning is designed to offer students opportunities to apply what is learned in class into field practice. The opportunity to work within the field enables students to learn through doing and reflect on their experiences. By incorporating hands-on learning into your education, you can graduate with the confidence to apply acquired skills and knowledge to your future endeavours outside the classroom.

What is experiential learning?

Experiential learning is the bridge between theory and practice by allowing you to:

Engage directly in a real-world situation and gain concrete experience.
Put your new skills and knowledge into practice through active experimentation.
Reflect on your experience by observing your surroundings and how this experience relates to the real world.

As a student within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, you have access to numerous experiential learning opportunities that will take your educational experience to the next level. From placements to internships and everything in between, you can feel confident that you are entering the workforce career-ready.

Practicum: Fourth year students develop and refine their professional selves through a placement with an organization. The practicum prepares you for a leadership role within your field of study. This is an excellent learning tool that provides an opportunities to require skills and knowledge through first hand experience. With the many benefits, including:

A well-rounded education, enriched by practical application of classroom learning.
Opportunities to gain relevant employment skills and realistic expectations of the workforce.
Documented practical experience and workplace skills for a résumé.
Job search skills and a network of contacts upon graduation.
Opportunities to gain a broader understanding of career options.
Development of personal, professional, and academic goals.
Experience with self-directed learning.

Students interested in the practicum process will commence the pre-practicum process in the winter of your third year. During this process, students will acquire a vulnerable sector screening and be matched with a community organization based on the goals, interests, and learning outcomes identified in the verbal and written pre-placement interviews.

The practicum consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, in-class seminars, a set of academic assignments, and a major research paper and poster.

Internship: Students are also able to apply for an internship for their fourth year of studies; students must have maintained a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in their first three years of studies in order to be considered for an opportunity to engage in a work-integrated internship with organizations locally and globally. Benefits of an internship include:

Gain paid work experience and apply classroom concepts in a real-world setting.
Gain a broader understanding of career options and job requirements before graduation.
Develop effective job search skills and a network of contacts before entering the workforce.
Develop and enhance your personal and professional skills.

Internships take place as a 4th year elective and are offered in the summer following the third year. The internship is 280 hours of paid or unpaid work that aligns with their field of study, goals, interests, and skill sets. As well, students must be enrolled in the academic course SSCI-4103U with mandatory assignments.

For more information on experiential learning, visit the Academic Calendar. Be sure to select the correct year of study (year you started) from the dropdown menu in the top-right corner. Academic Calendar

Contact Dan Walters
Practicum and Internship Co-ordinator
Charles Hall, Room 310
905.721.8668 ext. 2981
dan.walters@ontariotechu.ca

Lisa Shannon
Practicum and Internship Co-ordinator
Charles Hall, Room 317
905.721.8668 ext. 2849
lisa.shannon@ontariotechu.ca