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Faculty of Environmental Studies (ES) - BES Placement Opportunities

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The placement course is offered during the summer session (May-August) and is open to third year BES students who meet the eligibility requirements outlined below.

Placement Course Description:

The Environmental Studies placement (hereinafter “placement”) is an experiential education course designed to provide Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) students or Community Arts Practice Certificate students with the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a workplace environment. Through these placement opportunities, students will gain confidence in field-related knowledge, general employability skills, and valuable work experience. When pre-course requirements are fulfilled, eligible students will enrol for either three or six credits depending on the number of hours approved for the placement. While the placement course will be offered during the summer term each year, there are specific requirements outlined below that must be completed before enrolling in the course.

To be eligible for the program, students must:

  • Be enrolled as a full time student in their 3rd year of study in the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies Program or students who have declared community arts practice certificate (CAP) as their sub-program;
  • Have successfully completed between 60-90 credits (or will complete 60 credits by April of their third year), including ES/ENVS 3122 3.00 for CAP students;
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a B;
  • Have completed the mandatory workshops (see below); and
  • Must have a pre-approved placement secured

Notes:

Students are advised to utilize the following York University sponsored resources, in addition to individual efforts, to help them locate possible placements:

Students who pursue approved placements may receive 3 or 6 credits towards their degree upon the successful completion of the placement. Approved placements require a minimum of 120 hours of work and are generally 8-12 weeks in duration (3 credits) or a minimum of 240 hours of work over 8-12 weeks (6 credits). Course/tuition fees will be subject to student’s fee status and as approved by York University. Placements will be carried out during the summer semester from May to August.

This course also relies on mandatory workshops which will be offered by the career centre (provided in-house for BES students) which will be announced in the winter term.

In order to receive academic credit, students must enroll and register on-line for the course, using the York Enrolment System, go out on a pre-approved placement and fulfil the deliverables of the course. Students will be graded on a pass/fail which will be recorded on the student’s transcript; so, the grade will not be included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.

Students are able and encouraged to participate in paid placements. However, financial compensation is not guaranteed by York University and students should be aware that the majority of placements providers do not provide financial compensation. Students are also responsible for any incurred costs associated with the placement (e.g. licensing, travel) or any additional requirements (e.g. vaccinations). The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has information on “unpaid trainees” which is relevant.