To ensure the quality of Graduate Certificates in WIL, all new proposed certificates and any significant changes to existing certificates are subject to quality assurance review (QAR). The Centre for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is responsible for the oversight and quality assurance of Graduate Certificates in WIL. The Centre for WIL ensures that certificates offered under this framework meet the standards of academic and experiential excellence and are consistent with requirements outlined in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC) and the AAA WIL Quality Framework (McRae, Pretti, & Church (2018).
The Centre for WIL provides guidance and support to academic units on key WIL components at all certificate stages - development, implementation and ongoing improvement to academic units in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of graduate certificates in WIL.
Scope
The graduate certificate in WIL QAR approves the design and curriculum of graduate certificates in WIL that formally recognize students’ engagement in structured WIL experiences at the University of Waterloo. Final approval may also be contingent on review of an implementation plan.
This QAR applies to:
- New certificates that integrate WIL experiences into academic programming
- Substantial revisions to existing graduate certificates of WIL that alter students’ learning outcomes, WIL experiences, certificate curriculum, or modes of delivery
- The cyclical review and renewal of Graduate Certificates of WIL to ensure continued alignment with academic and institutional priorities
The QAR ensures that Graduate Certificates in WIL contribute to students’ academic, personal and professional development while advancing the University's commitment to high-quality, work-integrated education.
Quality assurance review stages
The quality assurance review process for a new graduate certificate in WIL includes several key steps:
The QAR begins with the submission of a certificate proposal to the Centre for WIL.
An initial consultation will be conducted to review and verify the proposal’s alignment to the Graduate Certificate in WIL requirements and quality elements of WIL. Iterative consultations may occur following the Centre for WIL’s review of proposals for WIL to revise and confirm certificate structure and requirements.
Final recommendations are made to programs with approval or conditional approvals granted for program proposals meeting quality WIL standards and certificate requirements. Conditional approvals will be revisited when an implementation plan is received. If the plan aligns with the conditionally approved proposal, final approval will be granted.
QAR criteria
To maintain the integrity and potential for impact of the Graduate Certificate in WIL, all proposals must meet key quality assurance standards. These criteria ensure that each certificate is academically rigorous, aligned with program outcomes, and delivers meaningful, well-supported quality work-integrated learning for students.
Certificates will be evaluated based on the incorporation and quality of these key components of WIL:
Duration
Overall duration
Students must engage in a minimum of 150 hours of structured WIL-related activities (including preparation, engagement and reflection phases) that provide substantial exposure to real-world professional contexts.
WIL experience duration
The WIL experience(s) itself must account for the majority of the 150 hours, ensuring that the experience is the principal component of the certificate.
Curriculum
Career curriculum
Structured programming must be embedded to support students’ career development skills, identity formation and ability to build on the WIL experience in future career planning and job search activities.
Professional skills curriculum
Pre-experience training in professional skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem solving, etc.) tailored to the program field must be incorporated for student development and must align with opportunities for skills application and evaluation during the WIL experience.
Curriculum integration
The WIL experience must be meaningfully integrated into the academic program, explicitly aligned with program-level learning outcomes and supported through curriculum mapping and assessment structures.
Accountability
Quality of WIL experience
Quality WIL experiences are based on the AAA WIL Quality Framework, promote meaningful student growth, align with program and degree-level outcomes and are suitably assessed for performance and engagement and integrate stakeholder feedback and supervision.
Stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder (e.g., employers, community partners) engagement with students is determined by the type of WIL experience and includes supervision, feedback and the provision of professional development opportunities. Preparation, engagement and adjournment processes must be structured and documented.
Risk management
Safety, insurance and risk mitigation mechanisms must be identified and implemented based on the type of WIL. Protocols or other mechanisms must be in place appropriate to the type, location and remuneration of the experiences.
Lasting impact
Reflection on practice
Students must engage in structured reflection before, during and after the WIL experience, connecting academic learning with practical experience. Reflection activities must promote critical thinking, self-assessment and lifelong learning skills.
Sustainability
The WIL certificate must be operationalized with sustainable financial and human resource planning, ensuring the ongoing delivery and administrative support of the certificate without reliance on ad hoc resources.