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Experiential learning is a hands-on approach that allows for deeper understanding of concepts through action and reflection. Going a step further, work-integrated learning (WIL) connects students with employer, industry and community partners so they can apply their learning in a workplace or practice setting.
Mount Royal University offers a broad selection of work-integrated learning opportunities. Some MRU programs have a required WIL component while others offer optional experiences to enhance your degree.
Quick facts
More than
of MRU degrees have a practicum placement or co-op option
MRU works with close to
providing WIL opportunities in a wide range of fields
On average, MRU students provide more than
of community service per year
of graduating students reported participating in a work-integrated learning experience 1
1 Mount Royal University 2020/21 Annual Report
Faculty of Arts
Bachelor of Arts — Criminal Justice
Required
Capstone practicum
- 280 hours of placement with justice-related agency over one term
- Practicums are traditionally unpaid work experiences
Bachelor of Arts — Policy Studies
Required
Internship
- Semester-long (450 hours minimum) work term
- Internship course requires professor-directed assignments in addition to work commitment, worth 15 credits
Bachelor of Interior Design
Required
Internship
- Semester-long (450 hours minimum) paid work term
- Course is pass/fail based on completion of required internship hours
Faculty of Business and Communication Studies
Bachelor of Business Administration (all majors)
Accounting
Finance
General Management
Human Resources
International Business
Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Optional
Co-operative Education
- Complete up to three four-month paid work terms
- Receive designation on parchment and transcript for completing three work terms
Bachelor of Communication (all degrees)
Broadcast Media Studies
Information Design
Journalism and Digital Media
Public Relations
Required
Work experience
- Semester-long supervised work experience (minimum of 12 full-time workweeks)
- Non-credit
Optional
Add a second work experience
Faculty of Health, Community and Education
Bachelor of Child Studies (all majors)
Child and Youth Care Counsellor
Early Learning and Child Care
Required
Practicum
- Four practicum courses throughout degree
Final capstone courses (two total)
- Include combination of internship, community-based research project or innovative community initiative
Bachelor of Education — Elementary
Required
Practicum
- Two practicum courses throughout degree
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Athletic Therapy
Required
Clinical practicum
- Seven practicum courses throughout degree
- Minimum of 750 practical hours
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership
Required
Practicum
- Minimum 160-hour practicum work with approved organization in related industry
Field work
- 10 day expedition
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Physical Literacy
Required
Practicum
- Minimum 160-hour practicum work with approved organization in related industry
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Sport and Recreation Management
Required
Practicum
- Minimum 160-hour practicum work with approved organization in related industry
Bachelor of Midwifery
Required
Clinical practicum
- Minimum 160-hour practicum work with approved organization in related industry
Bachelor of Nursing
Required
Clinical practicum
- 10 clinical practice courses throughout degree
Social Work Diploma
Required
Practicum
- Two practicum courses throughout diploma
Optional
Field school
- Must qualify, typically during Spring semester
Faculty of Science and Technology
Bachelor of Computer Information Systems
Required
Work experience
- Minimum one non-credit work term, can add an optional second term
Optional
Co-operative Education
- Complete up to three four-month paid work terms
- Receive designation on parchment and transcript for completing three work terms
Bachelor of Science – Computer Science
Optional
Co-operative Education
- Complete up to three four-month paid work terms
- Receive designation on parchment for completing three work terms
Bachelor of Science – Data Science
Required
Work experience
- Semester-long work term
Stories of WIL
Ethan Ward
Bachelor of Communication — Journalism and Digital Media
On behalf of the Canadian Parks Council, MRU student Ethan Ward researched the impacts of the pandemic on the performance and operations of Canadian parks.
Chloe Gabriele & Taylor Dube-Mather
Bachelor of Arts — Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice alumni Chloe Gabriele and Taylor Dube-Mather share a unique educational experience: working in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Anna Kennedy
Bachelor of Business Administration — Marketing
Anna Kennedy, a marketing channel strategist for WestJet, first started working for the airline company through MRU’s co-operative education program.
International field schools
Take your classroom learning abroad! Participate in active learning in the field while connecting with local people, organizations and businesses. Field schools usually run in the spring semester and can range in length from four to six weeks.
Previous field schools have taken MRU students to international destinations including Norway, Peru, Sri Lanka, India, China, Dominica, Ghana and Hawaii.
Discover international field schoolsMRU institutes and community partnership programs
Map the System
Map the System is an opportunity for MRU student changemakers to showcase their research, systems mapping and presentation skills on a global stage. The competition is hosted by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford.
Catamount Fellowship
The Catamount Fellowship is a cohort-based learning experience committed to building a more just and sustainable future. Students collaborate across sectors to engage multiple stakeholders while exploring the root causes of community-identified ecological, social, economic and cultural issues.
LaunchPad Lab
LaunchPad Lab is an eight-week entrepreneurial incubator meant for students who want to create a business, but aren't quite sure where to start. With help from expert mentors and interactive exercises, take your idea to the next level and join a community of innovators and entrepreneurs.
connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs
The connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs program teaches critical skills for understanding social issues through an economic lens. Work in small groups with other students and experienced community members to ideate solutions and receive actionable insight on how to move forward as a changemaker.
Undergraduate research
At Mount Royal, we believe research should be part of the classroom experience. Getting involved in research at the undergraduate level is a great way to explore your interests, connect with faculty members, and prepare you for future academic and workplace pursuits.
Research opportunities at MRU include becoming a research assistant, taking directed reading courses, enrolling in an honours program and registering for advanced-level coursework. All students are invited to share their research at the annual Research and Scholarship Days.
Get involved with researchCommunity Service Learning
Community Service Learning (CSL) blends classroom education with community engagement. The focus of CSL is to provide concrete service to community agencies while developing student skills, self-awareness, professional capabilities and a sense of commitment to society.
Mount Royal offers a CSL citation for students who complete three courses (a minimum of nine credits) that employ community engagement. CSL designated courses are offered across disciplines and are available in every faculty.
Learn about CSL
Bachelor of Social Work
Required
Practicum
Optional
Field school