Professional Practice Courses

Professional practice courses allow you to work under the guidance of a professional - such as through a practicum, internship, or externship - in order to gain experience and develop skills related to a field of study.

  • Internships exist in a wide variety of industries and settings. An internship may be paid, unpaid or partially paid (in the form of a stipend). Paid internships are common in professional business, technology and advertising fields. Non-profit organizations and think-tanks typically offer unpaid, volunteer positions. Internships may be part-time or full-time, and usually last 6–12 weeks, but can be shorter or longer, depending on the company or organization involved.
  • Externships: Like an apprenticeship or internship, an externship is typically a training program offered by educational institutions and private businesses that give students brief practical experiences in their field of study. At the University of Guelph our externships are typically short-term, unpaid “job shadowing” experiences. The purpose of the externship is to gain first-hand insight into a career or industry of interest.

Download a list of professional practice courses across various disciplines. 

More Information:

Experience Profiles

  • Andrew was a highly engaged student at the University of Guelph. He worked as student staff on campus in Athletics, Admissions and Student Experience. In addition to this, he was a student leader, engaging in the Board of Governors, Student Senate, the Central Students Association, College of Arts Student Union and other organizations.