How Does ASIP Work?

 

The ASIP Structure

Students will typically be admitted to the ASIP stream of their program for the Fall term of their second year of study (Year 2). However, in exceptional circumstances, students (including transfer students) who enrolled in an eligible program in the Summer term after Year 2 can be admitted to the ASIP stream for the Fall term of Year 3. Acceptance into an ASIP stream in Year 3 is dependent on space and requires approval of the student’s academic unit and the Faculty of Arts & Science Experiential Learning & Outreach Support (ELOS) Office. Refer to the eligibility page for further details. Enrolment is limited and requires a supplemental application. 

The work experience component will consist of 12 to 20 months of paid, full-time work in the private, not-for-profit, and/or public sectors. To help students prepare for their work opportunities and maximize their learning while on their work terms, students will also complete mandatory professional development training. 

Students completing all mandatory professional development requirements and a minimum of 12 months of work experience will graduate from the ASIP stream of their program. This will be identified on their transcript with the notation “A&S Internship Program”. 

Professional Development Courses

Professional development training will consist of four half-credit, zero credit weight courses taken over four academic terms, starting in the Fall term of Year 2 or Year 3. Students will also have the option to participate in additional professional development training in Year 5 after their final work term. Students must successfully complete the following courses to graduate from the ASIP stream of their program.

Course Title Year 2 Entry Year 3 Entry
A&S Internship Program: Maximizing Your Experience PDC220H1 Fall Term, Year 2 PDC230H1 Fall Term, Year 3
A&S Internship Program: Essential Skills for ASIP Success PDC221H1 Winter Term, Year 2 PDC231H1 Winter Term, Year 3
A&S Internship Program: Professional Skill Development I PDC320H1 Fall Term, Year 3 PDC330H1 Fall Term, Year 3
A&S Internship Program: Professional Skill Development II PDC321H1 Winter Term, Year 3 PDC331H1 Winter Term, Year 3

 

Course Descriptions

The course will provide an opportunity for students to prepare for and maximize their learning and personal development through ASIP. Topics may include: self-assessment – skills, values, interests; building a career and co-op plan; skills articulation – how to identify, articulate and apply skills gained through courses and other life experiences; personal marketing documents; guided self-reflection on barriers to employment; resources and toolkits to support access for all; and co-op student panels. Students must successfully complete this course and receive a passing grade to gain access to the ASIP job board. 

This course does not carry credit weight and is evaluated as Credit/No Credit. No tuition fee is associated, however, ancillary fees will be assessed. Refer to the ASIP Fees & Financial Aid page for further details. 

The course will help students prepare for their first work term and optimize their chances of success in the first recruitment cycle. Topics may include: ASIP guidelines and requirements, resume and cover letter tailoring, professionalism essentials, job search essentials, interview preparation, workplace rights, health and well being while in ASIP, and accessibility and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) considerations.

This course does not carry credit weight and is evaluated as Credit/No Credit. No tuition fee is associated, however, ancillary fees will be assessed. Refer to the ASIP Fees & Financial Aid page for further details. 

Prerequisite: PDC220H1 or PDC230H1

The course will help students build transferable skills essential for success in the workplace and in the evolving world of work. The course will also support and help guide students through the next recruitment cycle. Skill development modules may include: effective communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, intercultural skills, teamwork and time management.   

This course does not carry credit weight and is evaluated as Credit/No Credit. No tuition fee is associated, however, ancillary fees will be assessed. Refer to the ASIP Fees & Financial Aid page for further details.

Prerequisite: PDC221H1 or PDC231H1

The course will help students build transferable skills essential for success in the workplace and in the evolving world of work. The course will also support and help guide students through the next recruitment cycle.  Skill development modules may include: professional responsibility, technical report writing, effective research skills, ethical decision-making, project management, and knowledge translation. 

This course does not carry credit weight and is evaluated as Credit/No Credit. No tuition fee is associated, however, ancillary fees will be assessed. Refer to the ASIP Fees & Financial Aid page for further details. 

Prerequisite: PDC320H1 or PDC330H

 

"My work term also strengthened my existing knowledge of my discipline, which is science heavy and rigorous work, and that made me feel purposeful and brought meaning to my time. I realized even more how much I loved pharmaceutics, and how I felt like my role here could make a difference down the line."

— Flavia Codreanu, Pharmaceutical Chemistry

 

Work Terms

Students who enter ASIP in Year 2 can complete one short (4-month) work term and one work term of 8, 12 or 16 months; or one long immersive work term with one employer to a maximum of 16 months. Students who enter in Year 3 can complete one short (4-month) work term and one work term of 8 or 12 months; or one long immersive work term with one employer to a maximum of 16 months. The following outlines the allowable work term sequences for students who enter ASIP in the Fall term of Year 2 and Year 3.

The only allowable work term sequencing for a 20-month work term is as follows:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

If completing 16 months of work experience, you'll have several work-study sequencing options.

Option 1: 

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term not secured; option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 2:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term not secured; option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 3:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 4:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Option to take courses Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

If completing 12 months of work experience, you'll have several work-study sequencing options.

Option 1:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term not secured; option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Option to take courses Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 2:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term not secured; option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Work Term 1 Option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 3:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term not secured; option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 4:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Academic Term Option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

 

Option 5:

Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer
Academic Term Academic Term Work Term 1 Academic Term Academic Term Option to take courses Work Term 2 Work Term 2 Option to take courses Academic Term Academic Term Graduation

  

Work Term Course Codes

For students who enter ASIP in Year 2, the work term in the summer between Year 2 and 3 is designated INT200H1, while work terms secured following Year 3 have INT300H1, INT400H1, INT450H1 and INT470H1 codes. Students will move through these work terms in sequence, with INT200H1 being optional and not a requirement for participation in INT300H1. 

For students who enter ASIP in Year 3, the first work term will be either summer or fall between Year 3 and 4, starting with INT301H1 and followed by INT401H1, INT451H1, and INT471H1 (optional).

These work term codes allow for some flexibility in a student’s journey and the types of employment opportunities available across different sectors. Work terms will be graded as Credit/No credit (CR/NCR). Refer to the ASIP Fees & Financial Aid page for details on Work Term ancillary fees. 

Year 2 Entry Work Term Courses

Year 2 Entry     Year 3 Entry
INT200H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT301H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term
INT300H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT401H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term
INT400H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT451H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term
INT450H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT471H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term
INT470H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term N/A

 

Resources for Students

Over the course of ASIP, students will be supported in their professional and personal development and job search with:  

  • Dedicated co-op job board
  • Networking events with relevant industry contacts and alumni   
  • Career exploration and skills, values and interest assessments   
  • Workplace readiness training   
  • Professional skills development   
  • Resume books sent to industry contacts   
  • Learning assessment, reflective assignments, oral and poster presentations during and after work terms   
  • One-on-one meetings with ASIP staff
  • Mock interview sessions   
  • Industry information sessions   
  • Tool kits and resources to support students facing barriers to employability   
  • ASIP community-building events    

 

"I was surprised by the extent to which practical scenarios can deviate from theoretical frameworks. While academic settings provide structured environments for learning, the workplace is rife with nuances and complexities that demand flexibility in approach."

— Yuxin Dong, IRHR

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Work Terms

Each work term must meet the following requirements1:  

  • 4-month term: 420 hours and/or 12 weeks minimum of full-time2, paid experience  

  • 8-month term: 980 hours and/or 28 weeks minimum of full-time, paid experience  

  • 12-month term: 1540 hours and/or 44 weeks minimum of full-time, paid experience  

  • 16-month term: 2100 hours and/or 60 weeks minimum of full-time, paid experience 

1Students with accessibility or accommodation needs may be granted reduced hours and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  

2Full-time = a minimum of 35 hours/week.   

The expectation is that students will be paid based on sector and industry standards for the duration of their work terms, assessed according to the location of each student’s employment and the student’s level of expertise. 
Students may work almost anywhere! In the private, not-for-profit, and/or public sectors, including on a U of T campus and with U of T partner networks (i.e., University Health Networks). Students may pursue opportunities throughout Ontario, across Canada, or in international locations. 
The location of jobs is industry dependent. Students will not be required to relocate for work, but students willing to move and open to job opportunities in numerous geographical areas will increase their chances of securing a work term. 
Yes, students are encouraged to complete work terms outside of Canada. International work terms take significant advance planning, however, to secure appropriate work visas, accommodation, etc. Interested students should connect with their ASIP Coordinator early to discuss next steps.

Yes, students are welcome to complete a work term that falls outside of the formal work term schedules provided that it works with their academic sequencing. Approval from the academic unit may be required.  

There are a wide range of opportunities available and students can apply to the positions that best meet their career goals. Students are not limited to the opportunities on the U of T Co-Op job board and are encouraged to seek interesting job opportunities independently as well.
Students are permitted and encouraged to search for opportunities outside of the U ofT Co-Op job board. Experiences developed through a student’s personal connections will be expected to follow the allowable work term sequences and meet the ASIP work term requirements. Self-generated jobs must be approved by ASIP staff.
No. Securing a work term is a competitive process and employers make the decisions on student selection. Students must be prepared to commit significant time to their job search. The more positions you apply for, and the more flexible you are with the type of work, the higher your likelihood of securing a position. The ASIP team will make every effort to prepare you for the job search and recruitment process to maximize your chance of success, but ultimately students are responsible for securing an opportunity. 
Students who are unsuccessful in securing a work term during the summer between Year 2 and Year 3 will be able to remain in the program and compete for work terms in the year between Year 3 and Year 5. These students may choose to take additional courses to accelerate their time to graduation, or work in jobs that would not otherwise be eligible for ASIP (i.e. part-time and/or unpaid). Students who don’t secure a work term in the year between Year 3 and Year 5 will return to full time studies and exit the ASIP stream of their program.
As per Cooperative Education & Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada accreditation recommendations, students may not enrol in full-time academic study during a work term, such that they may focus on their responsibilities and experiences in the workplace and gain the highest value from the work term. Students will be permitted to take a maximum of one 0.5 credit course at the University of Toronto, or another institution through a Letter of Permission, during each 4-month work period, with the approval of their employer and the ASIP office.
Students will be required to submit, at a minimum, a learning plan at the start of each work term opportunity, reflective reports at regular intervals during the work period, a work term evaluation, and a final work term assignment (which may have different formats depending on the student’s program). Employers will also be asked to submit a final evaluation of the student’s progress and performance. Students must receive a satisfactory on all components to get course credit, a final mark of CR.  Students who do not complete the final project, or who quit or have been terminated from their work term position, will receive an NCR. 
Completion of the INT courses (the work terms) is required for students to be eligible to graduate from the ASIP stream of their program, but the courses carry zero academic weight and do not count towards the 20 credits required for graduation.

The ASIP team will regularly connect with employers across a wide variety of sectors and industries to develop work term opportunities. Job opportunities will be posted on the U of T Co-Op job board. Students are also strongly encouraged to search for positions independently to increase their chances of success.  

Once accepted into the ASIP stream, the ASIP office will provide participating international students with a letter stating that the intended employment through the ASIP stream is an essential part of their program. This letter is required for your co-op or intern work permit application. It is each student’s responsibility to apply for their co-op or intern work permit as soon as possible after receiving acceptance into the ASIP stream. The processing time to receive the work permit can take in excess of 180 days and students will not be able to begin their first work term without their co-op or intern work permit. The Immigration Advisors at the Centre for International Experience are available to advise students on their work permit applications.  

No. Work-study students work part-time (an average of 8 hours/week), on campus while studying full time. ASIP work terms will be full-time (at least 35 hours/week) immersive opportunities, and students must complete a minimum of 420 hours or 12 weeks of work per 4-month term. Students are also limited to the number of academic courses they can take while participating in an ASIP work term (a maximum of one 0.5 credit course per term and only with prior approval from their employer and the ASIP office).

Student Status

Yes, students participating in a work term will be considered full-time.

Please note that ASIP work terms and any associated ancillary fees do not contribute to T2202 tuition and enrolment certificates. For these certificates, whether you are a full-time or a part-time student will be based on any academic courses in which you are enrolled in the Winter term, Summer session and Fall term of the relevant calendar year.

Yes, you must maintain full-time status for Fall/Winter sessions to remain enrolled in the ASIP stream of your program. Students with part-time status may remain enrolled in the ASIP stream of their program if they have received accommodation from the University.

A student enrolled in 3.0 credits or more in the Fall/Winter Session is considered full-time. Students completing a work term in the fall or winter session must enroll in at least 1.5 FCE in the other semester in order to maintain full-time status across the fall-winter.

Students must stay in good academic standing or on probation to remain in the ASIP stream. Further details can be found in the Academic Calendar. 

Students must be enrolled in an eligible program to participate in the ASIP stream and may submit a request to change their ASIP program stream once admitted to the program. Students who transfer to a program not included on the list of eligible programs must exit the ASIP stream.

Students may elect to withdraw from the ASIP stream of their program at any time and return to the non-ASIP stream with no academic penalty. Professional Development courses and work terms completed up until that point will be reported on the student’s transcript. Any ASIP fees already incurred are non-reimbursable (the full fee refund schedule is available on the Office of Student Accounts website).

Yes, a student may be removed from the ASIP stream at any time for reasons of professional or academic misconduct, or as a result of receiving an NCR on either the professional development or work term courses.

Professional Development Courses

No. The Professional Development courses are graded as CR/NCR and do not count toward your CGPA.

Completion of the four Professional Development courses (PDC220H1/PDC221H1/PDC320H1/PDC321H1) is required for students to be eligible to graduate from the ASIP stream of their program, but the courses carry zero academic weight and do not count towards the 20 credits required for graduation.

No. The CR/NCR grading scheme for the Professional Development courses does not contribute to the 2.0 credit limit for you to select the CR/NCR option for courses.

The Professional Development courses must be taken in addition to your other academic requirements. The Professional Development courses are designed to be supportive and not to hinder students’ academic progress. In terms of time commitment, there will be 1.5-2 hours of course content per week. Students will also need to put significant effort into applying to jobs, interviewing for positions, attending networking events, etc., and the courses will help support students through that process.