Workplace Learning and Social Change

​​​​​​​​​​​Lead Faculty

Ontario Institute f​or Studies in Education (OISE)

Participating Degree Programs

Adult Education and Community Development—MA, MEd, PhD
Industrial Relations and Human Resources—MIRHR, PhD
Rehabilitation Science—MSc, PhD
Social Justice Education—MA, MEd, PhD, EdD
Women and Gender Studies—MA

Overview

The Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change is particularly suited to students interested in developing their understanding of work and learning trends in Canada and inter​nationally, with a focus on the relationships between workplace learning and social change. The collaborative specialization has three intellectual objectives:

1. to situate workplace learning within broader social trends such as globalization, neoliberalism, and organizational restructuring;

2. to allow exploration of the connections between learning as an individual phenomenon and learning as a social/organizational and public policy phenomenon; and

3. to highlight the learning strategies that seek to foster social change through greater equality of power, inclusivity, participatory decision-making, and economic democracy.

Applicants to participating programs who are interested in participating in the collaborative specialization must apply to and be accepted by both the graduate unit and the collaborative specialization. For admission, applicants should submit a statement of interest to the collaborative specialization director.

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of the participating home graduate unit and the collaborative specialization, students receive the notation “Completed Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change” on their transcript and parchment.

Contact and Address

Web: www.oise.utoronto.ca/lhae/Collaborative_Specializations/Workplace_Learning_and_Social_Change

Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6
Canada

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must apply to and be admitted to both the collaborative specialization and a graduate degree program in one of the collaborating graduate units.

• Applicants must submit a statement of interest which includes:

  • ​​relevant personal and/or professional experiences and motivation in seeking training in workplace learning and social change (all applicants)

  • a brief outline of their proposed research project (thesis students)

  • indication of their preference of supervisor, if any (thesis students).

Specialization Requirements

• Individual student programs of study must meet the requirements of both the home graduate unit and the collaborative specialization. Normally, the selection of courses to satisfy the collaborative specialization requirements will not extend the program length.

• Course requirements are as follows:

  • ​​0.5 core full-course equivalent (FCE) (WPL 1131H Introduction to Workplace Learning and Social Change)

  • 0.5 elective FCE in the area of workplace learning and social change.

• In addition, students in a thesis-based MA program will be required to complete a thesis which incorporates issues of workplace learning and social change. A member of the collaborative specialization core faculty will serve as supervisor or committee member.

• Course-only MEd students will be required to complete an additional 0.5 elective FCE in the area of workplace learning and social change.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants should apply to the collaborating degree program that corresponds most closely to their general background and interests.

• Applicants must submit a statement of interest which includes:

  • ​​​relevant personal and/or professional experiences and motivation in seeking training in workplace learning and social change (all applicants)

  • a brief outline of their proposed research project

  • indication of their preference of supervisor, if any.

Specialization Requirements

Doctor of Education

Offered to students in the Social Justice Education program only.

• Individual student programs of study must meet the requirements of both the home graduate unit and the collaborative specialization. Normally, the selection of courses to satisfy the collaborative specialization requirements will not extend the program length.

• Course requirements are as follows:

  • ​​​0.5 core full-course equivalent (FCE) (WPL 3931H Advanced Studies in Workplace Learning and Social Change)

  • 0.5 elective FCE in the area of workplace learning and social change.

• In addition, students will be required to complete a thesis which incorporates issues of workplace learning and social change. A member of the collaborative specialization core faculty will serve as supervisor or committee member.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Individual student programs of study must meet the requirements of both the home graduate unit and the collaborative specialization. Normally, the selection of courses to satisfy the collaborative specialization requirements will not extend the program length.

• Course requirements are as follows:

  • ​​0.5 core full-course equivalent (FCE) (WPL 3931H Advanced Studies in Workplace Learning and Social Change)

  • 0.5 elective FCE in the area of workplace learning and social change.

• In addition, students will be required to complete a thesis which incorporates issues of workplace learning and social change. A member of the collaborative specialization core faculty will serve as supervisor or committee member.

Not all elective courses are offered each year. Visit the Workplace Learning and Social Change (WLSC) website for current course offerings.

Master's-Level Core Course

Master's-Level Electives

The list of electives is subject to change.

*Special topics courses: Only the special topics course titles listed can be counted toward the WLSC specialization requirements in the current year. Please confirm current year courses with the WLSC administrator.

Doctoral-Level Core Course

Doctoral-Level Electives

The list of electives is subject to change. Doctoral students can select an elective course from the list above or take one of the following to meet their elective requirement:

*Special topics courses: Only the special topics course titles listed can be counted toward the WLSC specialization requirements in the current year. Please confirm current year courses with the WLSC administrator.