Disciplinary Credit
Applied Studies Disciplinary Credit Course
This Applied Studies course option offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit in a specific course discipline (ex. Art History, Neuroscience, Anthropology) by combining a research question and an academically relevant work experience (paid or volunteer). The course is assessed by a disciplinary expert and a WIL instructor. The work experience must offer significant learning at a level suitable for the awarding of university credit.
Applied Studies courses are designed in collaboration with a WIL Instructor and explore your interests and aptitudes, testing and reinforcing the theories and principles learned in the classroom while in a professional environment.
Disciplinary Credit Applied Studies are available in all disciplines at the 2000, 3000, or 4000-level (see exceptions). You and your Academic Supervisor will determine the level of your course based on your abilities and the proposed academic deliverables.
Faculty Information
- Arts & Science - all disciplines 2000-4000 (ex. BIOL 2980)
- Dhillon School of Business - all disciplines only available at the 3000 or 4000 level (ex. MGT 3980-4980)
- Education - are only available at the 4000 level (ex. EDUC 4980)
- Fine Arts - all disciplines 2000-4000 (ex. Art 3980)
- Health Science all disciplines 2000-4000 (ex. HLSC 4980)
You may take up to 5 Disciplinary Courses during your degree(s).
An Applied Studies course fee is the same as any other 3-credit course on campus.
To have a successful application you need the following:
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Second-year standing (a minimum 30.0 successful credit hours)
International Students need to talk with the Applied Studies Office about this opportunity.
Participating in research with humans or designing your own research project using human research data as part of your Applied Study?
You will require research ethics approval. Ask us how to start this process or connect with a research ethics facilitator.
Grading and Evaluation
Disciplinary Credit courses is a graded course. Success is dependent on completing the minimum required placement hours, submitting all required reports and deliverables, participating in a monitor visit, and receiving a successful employer evaluation.
Core Course Components (new for Summer 2023)
- Academic Deliverable(s) | 60% : Develop your Academic Plan with your Academic Supervisor
- Student Performance Evaluation and Monitor Visit | 20% : Evaluation submitted by your Work Placement Supervisor at the end of the semester and monitor visit with Work Placement Supervisor and Applied Studies Instructor
- Monthly Reflective Reports | 20% : Assigned and graded by your Applied Studies Instructor
Build Your Course
Meet an Applied Studies Instructor
An Applied Study Instructor is the primary instructor for all APST course options. We are excited to explore your ideas and design the best course for you.
Your Applied Studies Instructor is responsible for providing support to the partners in your course, will engage with you in setting learning objectives and in your reflective practice, and will evaluate your monthly reports, track your hours, participate in the monitor visit with your employer, and assess course outcomes.
Secure Work Placement
Your work placement (paid or volunteer) must be relevant to your field of study and provide you with a minimum of 120 hours of work (ex. 10 hrs/week for 12 weeks). We expect our employer partners to engage you with work that supports connectivity to your academic training, professional development, and skill-building.
We will ask your employer to participate in one monitor visit (in person or virtually) and to complete a Student Performance Evaluation form at the end of the semester.
Explore opportunities on the MyExperience Careers Job Board or the Applied Studies Job Board below.
Secure Academic Supervisor
It is your responsibility to secure a University of Lethbridge faculty member to serve as your Academic Supervisor. It is essential to seek out a subject matter expert: someone whose research agenda is related to the general thesis you will explore as part of your academic plan. Work with your Applied Studies Instructor to plan a proposal well in advance of the course registration deadline to develop a request. This will include an academic relevant theory and/or principle learned in the classroom that you want to connect to a professional environment. Good planning and organization are key to a successful request!
You and your Academic Supervisor will plan and scope your academic deliverables (worth 60%) and submit an Academic Plan after registration. These decisions will be reflected in the level of your course (2000, 3000, or 4000).
Check your Program Planning Guide
Review your Program Planning Guide to check availability for an Applied Studies course in your program plan.
Consider joining a Disciplinary Cohort!
Work and learn as part of a team! Apply to join a pre-designed Disciplinary Credit course.