Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change
Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change Overview
The Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change (WLSC) is designed for students interested in developing their understandings of work and learning trends in Canada and internationally, with a focus on the relationships between workplace learning and social change.
WLSC has three intellectual objectives:
- To situate workplace learning within broader social trends such as globalization, neo-liberalism, and organizational restructuring.
- To allow exploration of the connections between learning as an individual phenomenon and learning as a social/organizational and public policy phenomenon.
- To highlight the learning strategies that seek to foster social change through greater equality of power, inclusivity, participatory decision-making, and economic democracy.
Faculty associated with WLSC have expertise in issues related to workplace learning amongst immigrant workers, foreign trained professionals, marginalized workers, as well as workers embedded within progressive organizational structures. They also contribute expertise in the areas of social policy, organizational development, technological change, industrial relations, labour market analysis and school-to-work transitions.
Participating Degree Programs
The Collaborative Specialization in WLSC is open to students enrolled in the following programs:
| Program | Department | Eligible Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Education & Community Development | Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education | MA, MEd, PhD |
| Industrial Relations & Human Resources | Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources | MIRHR, PhD |
| Rehabilitation Science | Rehabilitation Sciences Institute | MSc, PhD |
| Social Justice Education | Department of Social Justice Education | MA, MEd, EdD, PhD |
| Women & Gender Studies | Women & Gender Studies Institute | MA |
Centre for Learning, Social Economy & Work (CLSEW)
WLSC has a close relationship with the Centre for Learning, Social Economy & Work (CLSEW). Established in 2014, CLSEW merges two research centres – the Centre for the Study of Education and Work and the Social Economy Centre.
Students are encouraged to participate in their Speaker Series events, workshops, and other activities.
Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to and be admitted to both the collaborative specialization and a graduate degree program in one of the collaborating departments. The WLSC collaborative specialization encourages diversity in academic disciplines and life experiences.
In their application to the home program, applicants must indicate that they are also applying to the Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change. Applicants should indicate to referees that their letters of support will be used in application for both the collaborative specialization and the home program.
Qualified applicants to the Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change should demonstrate well-developed, scholarly awareness of the field of workplace learning and social change in their application materials.
In addition to corresponding to all home department requirements, the application should include a statement of interest which includes:
- Relevant personal and/or professional experiences, a career plan, motivation in seeking advanced training in Workplace Learning and Social Change.
- An indication of specific courses of interest.
- For thesis students, a brief outline of their proposed research project.
- For thesis students, indication of their preference of supervisor.
Students who are already enrolled in the Department of Social Justice Education or the Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education will be allowed to apply to the collaborative specialization after they have been admitted.
Students should submit the add-collaborative form and a half-page statement explaining their interest to the program administrator via e-mail (oise.wlsc@utoronto.ca).
Additional Program Information
Please refer to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) website for the Collaborative Specialization in Workplace Learning and Social Change Course List.
| Department | Participating Faculty |
|---|---|
| Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources |
|
| Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education (Program in Adult Education and Community Development) |
|
| Rehabilitation Sciences |
|
| Department of Social Justice Education |
|
| Women and Gender Studies Institute |
|
During their graduate studies, students will be registered in the home department and the Collaborative Specialization and will follow a program of study acceptable to both.
The Director of the collaborative specialization will review students' progress to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the collaborative specialization. If a student changes their thesis topic or the focus of their studies mid-way through their degree and no longer wishes to pursue the area of work and learning, they will be required to withdraw from the collaborative specialization.
Requirements for Master's Students
- All students complete the core course, Introduction to Workplace Learning and Social Change (WPL1131H).
- MA students must complete one elective half-course from the master's-level course list.
- MEd students must complete two elective half-courses.
- MEd students enrolled prior to September 2017 are only required to complete one-elective half-course.
- Thesis students will develop a topic of relevance to the focus of the collaborative specialization.
Requirements for Doctoral Students
- Complete the core course, Advanced Studies in Workplace Learning & Social Change (WPL3931H).
- Complete one elective half-course from the masters OR doctoral-level electives course list.
- For the thesis, develop a topic of relevance to the focus of the collaborative specialization.
WLSC Graduation Form
- Students who have completed their collaborative specialization requirements are required to fill out the WLSC Graduation Form.
- Email the complete WLSC graduation form to oise.wlsc@utoronto.ca for review.
- We will acquire the necessary signatures before sending it to the Registrar's Office.
Specialization Director
Professor Marcelo Vieta
Email: marcelo.vieta@utoronto.ca
Program Administrator
oise.wlsc@utoronto.ca
Ready to join one of the world’s top universities?
Take the next step in your academic journey and start your application to graduate studies at OISE.
