How Does ASIP Work?

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.

Year 2 Entry

If you enter ASIP during your second year of study, you will take the four professional development courses over two academic years – two courses in Year 2 and two courses in Year 3.

Timing Course
Year 2 Fall Term PDC220H1 - A&S Internship Program: Maximizing Your Experience
Winter Term PDC221H1 - A&S Internship Program: Essential Skills for ASIP Success
Year 3 Fall Term PDC320H1 - A&S Internship Program: Professional Skill Development I
Winter Term PDC321H1 - A&S Internship Program: Professional Skill Development II

 

Year 3 Entry

If you enter ASIP during your third year of study, you will take all four professional development courses in Year 3 – two in the Fall term and two in the Winter term.

Timing Course
Fall Term
 		 PDC230H1 - A&S Internship Program: Maximizing Your Experience
PDC330H1 - A&S Internship Program: Professional Skill Development I
Winter Term PDC231H1 - A&S Internship Program: Essential Skills for ASIP Success
PDC331H1- A&S Internship Program: Professional Skill Development II

 

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 PDC330H1

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

Work Term Course Prerequisite
INT200H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term PDC221H1 
INT300H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term PDC321H1
INT400H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT300H1
INT450H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT400H1
INT470H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT450H1

 

Year 3 Entry Work Term Courses

Work Term Course Prerequisite
INT301H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term PDC231H1, PDC331H1
INT401H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT301H1
INT451H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT401H1
INT471H1: A&S Internship Program: Professional Work Term INT451H1

 

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

Questions? Visit the ASIP Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the Experiential Learning and Outreach Support (ELOS) team at asip@utoronto.ca.