How EL Credits Work

Guided jointly by a work supervisor and SASAH’s Experiential Learning (EL) Specialist, students undertake an internship or community-engaged-learning (CEL) opportunity in their field of choice in the non-profit, public, or private sector.  

Students complete the EL course by participating in: 

  • 1 Internship – 1.0 credit 
  • or 1 CEL – 1.0 credit 
  • or a combination of two such credits worth 0.5 each 

Students have several options for finding EL opportunities, including  

  • applying for an internship with one of SASAH’s partners or an organization through Western Connect or another employment website, or a personal network,
  • applying for a CEL with a non-profit partner on their own or, in fourth year, through Student Experience.  

Student-found internships and CELs must be proposed and approved before the term in which they are to occur.  

SASAH students can find more information on the EL requirement in SASAH’s EL site in OWL or contact Dr. Barbara Bruce at bbruce2@uwo.ca.

EL Course Assignments

The EL curriculum emphasizes the need for students to reflect on and teach others about their experiences.  

Students write reflection papers as their opportunities are ongoing and complete a summative report and self-assessment when it concludes. When students complete their 1.0-credit or second 0.5-credit internships, they create a final video or written reflection which is posted on this website.

The assignments are designed to encourage students to: 

  • to analyze and evaluate their experiences,  
  • to learn about themselves and about types of careers that may be open to them,
  • to think about their strengths and skills and how they applied them, 
  • and to consider if they would want to pursue a career related to their experience. 

Getting the EL Credit

In their fourth or fifth year, students will enroll in one 1.0-credit or two 0.5-credit EL courses. There are six EL course numbers to give students options that fit their individual experiences and course load.

Students enroll in:

  • 4490F and 4491F if they’ve undertaken two experiences and will finish their EL requirement in the fall.
  • 4494W if they’ve undertaken one experience and will finish their EL requirement in the fall.
  • 4492G and 4493G if they’ve undertaken two experiences and will finish their EL requirement in the winter.
  • 4494X if they’ve undertaken one experience and will finish their EL requirement in the winter.

Before the registration period for their fourth-year courses, SASAH’s EL Specialist advises students on the course(s) in which they should enroll.

Regardless of when a student has undertaken their EL, the work hours count as the EL course hours. If a student has completed their EL hours before their fourth year, they don’t have any further hours to work for the requirement except for the time they put into creating their final presentation and report, so the 4490x course(s) will be free time in their schedule.

If they have not completed their EL hours, the 4490x course(s) builds time for their EL work into their schedule.

SASAH 3380Y

As part of our support for students as they prepare to enter the working world, SASAH’s required third-year online course introduces students to the skills and tools required to engage successfully in EL and helps them develop the skills and tools they need to present themselves professionally. 

Career Education

We strongly recommend that students utilize the services offered by Western’s Career Education:

  • Attend workshops that cover such topics as personal branding, resumes and cover letters, networking, and interviewing.
  • Meet with a career coach.
  • Prepare for interviews.
  • Attend information sessions and hirewesternu fairs.