Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Faculty of Health
Home » Get Experience

Get Experience

Turn classroom learning into meaningful experience.

Experiential education (EE) integrates hands-on experiences directly into courses, where students engage in practical work, then reflect on their learning to build essential skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. 

Quick Links

No Interruptions

No interruptions to your studies. Experiences are built into your coursework.

Skill Building

Develop professional skills for future career and academic goals. 

Engagement

Network with professionals in your field and give back to the community.

Year-Round

Participate in hands-on opportunities throughout the year.

Explore your options:

Choose from a wide range of opportunities integrated directly into your health courses.

Practicum / Internships

In the Community

Within the Classroom

Research

See the full list of EE Courses Offered

Practicum / Internships 

Gain hands-on experience through practicum placements at York’s partnering organizations—locally and globally—where you’ll apply your program knowledge in practical settings and professional environments. Some placements may provide stipends.
See the full list of Practicum Courses Offered.

Highlighted Courses:

Global Health Practicum

Course Codes: GH 4600, 4601, & 4602 
Term: Winter

Offered in the final year of the Specialized Honours Global Health program, the Global Health Practicum allows students to apply their learning in local and international settings working with partners on stream-focused projects.

With faculty support, students work in supervised placements focused on policy, research, education, and healthcare across sectors such as government, NGOs, and health agencies. 

Learn more about GH Practicum. 

Health Policy & Management Practicum 

Course Codes: HLST 4990 9.00
Term: Winter

Offered in the final year of the Specialized Honours in Health Policy, Management & Digital Health, this practicum allows students to work with community and sector partners on projects related to health policy, system management, and digital innovation, with an emphasis on prevention, equity, and social determinants of health.

Placement areas include health administration, digital solutions, and policy development across government, non-profits, healthcare institutions, and tech firms.

Learn more about Health Policy & Management Practicum

In the Community

Collaborate with the local community through various projects, outreach, and service-learning opportunities embedded into your coursework.
See the full list of Community EE Courses Offered.

Highlighted Courses:

Critical Thinking in Psychology 

Course Code: PSYC 4180 6.00 (Lesley Zannella's Section) 
Term: Winter  

This course develops students’ ability to think critically about psychological research and its application in everyday contexts. Through lectures, discussions, workshops, peer review sessions, and presentations, students build the skills to evaluate evidence, identify misinformation, and effectively communicate research findings. 

Working in groups, students will engage with community partners to address needs by producing both research-based and creative deliverables such as PSAs, infographics, or training materials.

Learn more about the Critical Thinking in Psychology Course

Adapted Physical Activity 

Course Code: KINE 3345 3.00
Term: Fall/Winter 

This course combines weekly lectures with physical activity sessions, providing both theoretical and hands-on learning. Students participate actively in practical sessions designed to develop skills for adapting physical activity to meet diverse needs. 

Students will engage with community partners through service-learning projects that address real community needs while supporting student learning outcomes. Community-focused experiential education is an integral part of the course.

Learn more about the Adapted Physical Activity Course

Within the Classroom

Transform your learning through case studies and interactive projects that bring practical applications into the classroom. 
See the full list of Classroom EE Courses Offered.

Highlighted Courses:

Integrated Physical Activity for Life

Program Type: Course-Based, Activity-Focused Curriculum 
Duration: Throughout Undergraduate Kinesiology Degree 

The Integrated Physical Activity for Life (IPAL) program is an activity-based series of courses designed to develop Kinesiology students into well-rounded ambassadors of physical activity. 

Focusing on a holistic, lifespan approach to health, IPAL equips students with the knowledge and skills to promote active, healthy lifestyles across diverse populations, through hands-on and theory-based learning.  

Learn more about IPAL 

World Health Assembly Simulation

Course Codes: GH 4220
Term: Winter

In this course, students develop and deliver a simulation of the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly (WHA). Through role-play, research, debate, and policy writing, students engage with pressing global health challenges and craft formal resolutions that are submitted to the WHO. 

The course builds skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and collaborative governance—key competencies for future leaders in global health. 

Learn more about the WHA Course

Research

Contribute to health research by participating in course-based projects involving data collection, analysis, and knowledge creation.

Advanced Community - Based Applied Research

Course Code: PSYCH 4175 6.00
Instructor: Michaela Hynie 
Term: Fall/Winter 

This course offers students the opportunity to engage in a collaborative research project with a community organization. Building on core research training, students learn how to design and conduct applied research that is directly informed by the needs and priorities of a community partner. 

Throughout the term, students gain experience translating real-world issues into researchable questions, operationalizing variables, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and writing reports. A key focus is on building respectful, reciprocal research partnerships and learning how to communicate findings in ways that are meaningful and useful to community stakeholders. 

The course strengthens both academic research skills and real-world application—preparing students to conduct ethical, socially responsive research that has direct community impact. 

Learn more about Based Applied Research

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! All opportunities are arranged through your course instructor or EE coordinator and are integrated as part of your course.

Yes, international students can participate in EE courses. However, you must obtain a Co-op Permit before beginning placements, as experiential learning activities (paid or unpaid) are considered "work" under Canadian immigration law.

Why do I need a Co-op Permit for EE?
Your study permit has limited capacity for practicum work. IRCC issues Co-op Permits to give international students the legal right to participate in field work/studies outside the classroom, even when it's a degree requirement. This permit ensures compliance with immigration regulations and protects both you and York University.

Eligibility for Co-op Permit:
You can apply if you meet all these conditions:

  • You have a valid study permit
  • Work experience is required to complete your study program
  • Your school provides a letter confirming all students in your program need work placements for their degree
  • Your placement totals 50% or less of your study program

Benefits of obtaining a Co-op Permit:

  • No application fee
  • Ensures proper work authorization (even for unpaid roles)
  • Avoids future immigration complications
  • Allows you to work up to 24 hours/week using your study permit while the Co-op permit processes (currently ~6 months)
  • Helps maintain work eligibility if enrollment drops below 9 credits (crucial for post-grad work permit eligibility)
  • Allows removal of healthcare work restrictions after medical exam

Next Steps:

  1. Consult with York's immigration advisors for questions: iadvisor@yorku.ca
  2. Contact EE Coordinators for guidance on obtaining letters of support for permit applications
  3. Apply early - permits can take up to 6 months to process

Remember, start this process as soon as you're considering EE courses to ensure your permit is ready before placement begins.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: The government uses "Co-op" when referring to all experiential learning permits, regardless of whether your placement is paid, unpaid, or called "EE" rather than "Co-op."

No. York does not charge additional registration fees for EE courses. However, students are responsible for costs related to placement preparation as required by Ontario law and placement partners. 

Mandatory costs include: 

  • Verified by Synergy Gateway fees: $30-$60 (paid directly to Synergy, varies by placement requirements) 
  • Vulnerable sector screening fees (varies by police jurisdiction – paid to your local police authority) 
  • Health requirements such as doctor's notes, blood work, immunizations, and x-rays (costs vary based on student need and health provider) 
  • Additional review fees if documentation is not submitted correctly or by deadlines 

⚠️ IMPORTANT: These costs are required by Ontario government regulations and placement organizations—not by York University. Students pay these fees directly to the respective service providers. 

⚠️ Students preferring Co-op must pay additional registration fees. See Health Co-operative Education Page for details.

What is "Verified by Synergy Gateway"? 
Verified by Synergy Gateway is a secure digital platform used by York and educational institutions across Ontario to collect, verify, and manage student placement documentation. You'll upload required documents (health records, background checks, certifications) through this system, which validates your compliance with placement site requirements. 

Why are these requirements necessary? 
Ontario law and placement organizations mandate specific health and safety standards to protect students, colleagues, and vulnerable populations in healthcare and educational settings. York University is committed to ensuring all students meet these professional practice standards before beginning placements. 

You should not expect to receive financial payment for your participation in EE courses. You will receive credits for your degree. Some partnerships and employers may provide honoraria or stipends as per their organizational policy on supporting students with their studies through "internship programming".

Consult with EE Coordinators for advice and guidance.

Yes, all EE opportunities are tied to specific courses and are graded as part of your academic coursework.

Not at all. These experiences are built directly into your existing courses, so there’s no delay to your graduation.

Yes. You can participate in both Co-op and EE courses. However, if you are participating in Co-op, you should be prepared to pause your academic coursework for at least 8 months in order to gain real-world experience.

Please see Co-op page for more details.

Absolutely! You can take multiple courses with experiential components at the same time. This will depend on when courses are scheduled.

Settings vary depending on the course and program, including community organizations, research labs, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and health agencies.

EE courses are offered year-round, in the Fall, Winter, and Summer terms. Check with your school/department for EE courses on offer.

Start early! Students should begin the preparation process 3-4 months before their placement requirements are due. International students should start even earlier as permits can take up to 6 months to process. Before beginning your EE experience, you'll need to complete several steps depending on your placement site and course requirements. 

All students must:

  • Complete required online modules based on your placement type (e.g., PHIPA training for healthcare settings, professional conduct standards etc.) 
  • Upload and verify Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC) through Synergy Gateway

International students must also: 

  • Consult with immigration advisors as they may be required to have a Co-op Permit in addition to Study Permits
  • Contact EE Coordinators for guidance on obtaining letters of support for permit applications 

Depending on your placement site, you may also need to:

  • Track and submit immunization records (required for clinical and school settings)
  • Attend interviews with placement supervisors 
  • Complete orientation or site-specific training sessions 

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Begin your preparation 3-4 months before requirements are due. Students who fail to upload required documents by the deadline or submit incorrect documentation cannot enter their placement. Students must book another review for an additional fee and will not be permitted to begin until cleared on all requirements. Missing placement start dates may affect the student's ability to complete the course. 

Plan ahead for these time-sensitive requirements: 

  • Criminal record checks: Can take up to a few weeks to complete
  • Immigration permits (international students): Co-op Permits can take up to 6 months to process 
  • Immunizations (if required): Can take weeks or months depending on your current immunization status 

Remember, these requirements are mandated by Ontario law and placement organizations to protect students, colleagues, and vulnerable populations in healthcare and educational settings. 

Contact Us

Email us at eeHealth@yorku.ca or fill out the EE Contact Form for any further questions.

Contact the Faculty of Health's Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) for academic advice.