Things to Consider

Additional Courses

Students may not take any academic courses during the internship work term, unless granted special permission by the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies), Faculty of Social Science. Only those students with a cumulative average of at least 78% should apply for special permission.

Please email the Social Science Experiential Learning Coordinator at socscintern@uwo.ca with your request including the course code and session type, outline of your time-management plan, and rationale for taking the course prior to your return to campus. All requests will be reviewed and submitted to the Associate Dean (Undergraduate) for consideration.

A maximum of 0.5 additional course credits per 4-month work-term will be considered.

Fall / Winter Short-term Internships

If you are interested in completing an internship in Fall or Winter, please note that you are not permitted to take additional course work without special permission (see above). Thus, completing a Fall or Winter internship work term will likely impact your graduation timeline, and you will be required to drop your courses by the term add/drop date.

We strongly recommend that you meet with a Department Academic Advisor to discuss your degree plan (e.g. expected graduation date, course availability, etc.), and, if applicable, consult with the Financial Aid regarding impact to your OSAP status.

All students considering Fall or Winter internships must have completed >10.0 credits by the start of their placement, and must have completed >5.0 credits at the time of application.

Students pursuing short-term Fall internships will be charged USC health & dental fees in September as usual unless they opt out. Opting out of USC health coverage requires proof of alternative coverage.

Fourth-year interns

Completing the 0.5 internship credit in the summer term of your fourth year may have an impact on your graduation date. Your PAS/FAI grade will be processed in September and we will submit in time for fall adjudication.

Internship enrollment does not override intent to graduate status. Students who have submitted their intent to graduate who then decide to pursue an internship must submit a graduation cancellation form to contact@uwo.ca, and apply to graduate in the term following the completion of their work term.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Eligibility:

Many employers fund student placements partially or fully through the aid of the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), and to qualify for this funding, employers require proof of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) eligibility from their interns.

Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada defines Work-Integrated Learning as “a form of curricular experiential learning that formally integrates a student’s academic studies with quality experiences within a workplace or practice setting”, and CEWIL further states that “WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student.”

In the event that students secure employment that is funded through the Student Work Placement Program, they will only be able to receive proof of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) eligibility if they are formally enrolled in the Social Science Internship Program and agree to execute on all of its deliverables. Enrollment is contingent upon program eligibility criteria and the timely submission of the internship application (be it through Western Connect or Direct Match). Students who do not satisfy program requirements, or who do not submit their application by the applicable deadline will not be enrolled.

If you accept an employment offer (especially one with “internship” or “co-op” in the role description or title) it may be SWPP funded. If the role depends on this governmental aid, you will need to enroll in the Social Science Internship Program to ensure that your employer can hire you and properly renumerate you for your work.

OSAP Eligibility

If you are enrolled in the internship course (0.5 academic credit) and other coursework (maximum 0.5 additional course credit while out on full-time internship), please contact finaid@uwo.ca to be connected with a Financial Aid Officer to review funding eligibility.

*Must be OSAP-eligible; visit OSAP for eligibility requirements.

Out-of-province students should contact their provincial lender for funding inquiries.

SHORT-TERM INTERNSHIP (4 MONTH)