This section describes other study options that exist for graduate students outside of their own program of study. It includes information on the International Study Option, the University Teaching course, Animal Care Short course and other University courses.

Canadian Association For Graduate Studies (CAGS) - Canadian Graduate Student Research Mobility Agreement (CGSRMA)

The Canadian Graduate Student Research Mobility Agreement gives graduate students the opportunity to spend time at another Canadian university in order to complete or enhance their research. The intention is to promote graduate mobility within Canada in order to foster the exchange of ideas, specialized training, research collaboration, and interdisciplinarity.

Canadian Association For Graduate Studies (CAGS) - Canadian University Graduate Transfer Agreement

The Canadian Universities Graduate Transfer Agreement (CUGTA) is to provide students in good standing enrolled in a graduate degree or diploma program at a CAGS member university the opportunity to avail themselves of courses offered at another member institution (host) for transfer credit to the program at the program at the University of Guelph.

Cotutelle

Cotutelle Agreements at the University of Guelph

A cotutelle agreement entails a customized program of doctoral study developed jointly by two institutions for an individual student in which the requirements of each university's doctoral programs are upheld such that the student is awarded two degree documents. The objective of a cotutelle is to enrich the experience of doctoral students through research collaborations and exposure to a different culture.

Below are the principles that enable cotutelle agreements to be established at the University of Guelph.

1. The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) may enter into cotutelle agreements with international universities, on behalf of individual PhD students registered in an existing PhD program at the University of Guelph, in accordance with the provisions of this framework. OGPS is responsible for ensuring that individual cotutelle agreements conform to the University of Guelph’s internal doctoral degree requirements. Each cotutelle agreement must be approved by the Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies.
2. Cotutelle agreements are binding on the respective institutions on a reciprocal basis. Agreements must establish the manner in which the degrees are recognized in their respective countries.
3. PhD students carry out their research in both countries, under the direction of co-advisors who commit to act collaboratively and to their fullest capacity. The co-advisors must sign the agreement.
4. PhD students carry out their studies in alternating periods at the institutions involved, in a manner established in the agreement.
5. Details regarding the preparation for, and completion of, qualifying examination(s) are established in the agreement.
6. The language in which the thesis is to be written is established in the agreement. Where this language is not English, a substantive summary of the thesis in English must be included when the thesis is submitted for examination.
7. Composition of the thesis examination committee and naming of the committee’s chair is established in the agreement. Where appropriate, examination committees are formed on a balanced basis, with equal membership from each of the institutions involved as well as a member (or members) external to both institutions. The membership of an examination committee shall not exceed eight persons.
8. The thesis is examined at a single thesis defense. Cost sharing responsibilities related to the defense are established in the agreement.
9. After a successful thesis defense, each institution awards the candidate a doctoral degree in accordance with its own regulations for conferral of degrees. The official record of the degree(s) shall indicate the candidate’s specialization or discipline, the title of the thesis, and mention of the cotutelle.
10. The manner in which PhD students are to be registered and how they are to pay tuition fees is established in the agreement. The agreement also sets out the manner in which other applicable fees, including health insurance, are paid in each country.
11. Issues with respect to official deposits, listing, and distribution of theses, the management of joint research results from laboratories or research teams involved, as well as the publication and the derived uses of such results, are governed by specific rules and legislation in force in each of the respective universities and as established in the agreement.

Formal International Exchange

Graduate students wishing to participate in a formal international exchange program on the recommendation of their graduate unit must be nominated and formally approved for the exchange by the Centre for International Programs (CIP).

Students interested in applying for a formal international exchange must first attend a study abroad information session. The info sessions open each September and run through January. Applications are due the last Friday in January for programs in the following summer, fall, and winter semesters.

For more information, please see the Centre for International Programs website.

International Study Option

Formal recognition on the graduate transcript is accorded graduate students who successfully complete a period of study in another country as part of their program at Guelph. The study must be an integral part of the student's approved graduate studies. Credit will not be granted for international study commenced or completed prior to approval of the student's study plan by the Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies).

Admission

Admission to the international study option may be granted to any registered graduate student on the recommendation of the department. Application forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies.

Minimum and Maximum Durations

The minimum duration of study is six weeks abroad and the maximum duration is one year.

Advising

The student's international study is planned and progress kept under review by the department and the student's advisory committee.

Activities

Credit for the international study option is dependent on the completion of a study approved by the department. Details may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies. A written report on the study is required, a copy of which must be submitted to the Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies). Upon approval of the written report in the Office of Graduate Studies, UNIV*6500 International Study Option is added to the student's academic record with a grade notation of SAT (satisfactory). 

Animal Care Short Course

All graduate students who utilize vertebrate animals in their research and/or who will be Graduate Teaching Assistants in a course involving vertebrate animals must demonstrate that they are familiar with animal welfare issues and adequately trained in animal care and use through completion of UNIV*6600. The overall objective is to introduce aspects of laboratory animal science, animal welfare and animal care, not to provide definitive answers. Specific objectives of the course are as follows:

1. to familiarize course participants with existing regulations and guidelines to explain the need for them;
2. to demonstrate the need for understanding animal care and welfare both for protecting the user and the animal from potentially harmful zoonoses and to help improve the quality of research and teaching; and
3. to put into perspective the moral and ethical obligations to the animal so the user can weigh objectively the costs to animals against benefits gained from their use.

Formal recognition on the graduate transcript is accorded to graduate students who successfully complete UNIV*6600 Animal Care Short Course. This course is offered by the Animal Care Services through the Animal User Training Program of the University of Guelph.

Admission

The Animal Care Short Course is mandatory for all graduate students who will utilize vertebrate animals in their research and/or who will be teaching assistants in any course involving vertebrate animals. Students must take this course as early as possible in their program and prior to the commencement of work with live animals. Students wishing further information on this course should contact the Training Director, Animal Care Services, or training@uoguelph.ca.

Format

The course is offered as computer-based online self-study modules covering topics relevant to animal care.

Credit

Following completion of a short online quiz for each training module, Animal Care Services will forward a list of the successful participants to the Office of Graduate Studies. The course will be entered on the students' official record, with a grade notation of SAT (satisfactory).

Registration

Please register online through Animal Care Services training program webpage at https://www.uoguelph.ca/research/for-researchers/ethics-and-regulatory-compliance/animals/animal-user-training/. Choose option Core online modules. For inquires about the course, please contact Dr. Anna Bolinder, Animal Care Services (abolinde@uoguelph.ca or x53110).

Letter of Permission

Students Studying at Universities Outside Ontario

Students who are completing graduate programs at universities outside Ontario and who wish to complete some course work at the University of Guelph may apply for admission to a non-degree program on a Letter of Permission.

Students who wish to be admitted to a non-degree program on Letter of Permission must complete and submit the University of Guelph “Application for Admission to Graduate Studies” form (available from the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) along with a letter from the Dean of Graduate Studies/ Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies) or equivalent of the student's home university. This letter must outline precisely what course work the student is expected to complete while at Guelph, and how the work completed at the University of Guelph will be applied and credited to the student's program of study at the home university. No further admission documentation is required.

Students admitted on a Letter of Permission will be registered as “Special” status students in the non-degree program. It is the student’s responsibility to request that the University of Guelph transcripts be submitted to the home university. See the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for more information.

University of Guelph Graduate Students

Graduate students who wish to study at another institution outside of Ontario and have credits transferred to the University of Guelph must receive permission in advance by completing the Letter of Permission request form. Students are required to maintain their University of Guelph registration while taking a course on Letter of Permission. Students are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for admission to the host university and for any fees payable. For more information, please see the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Ontario Visiting Graduate Student 

The Ontario Visiting Graduate Student (OVGS) Program allows a graduate student of an Ontario university (Home University) to take graduate courses at another Ontario University (Host University) while remaining enrolled at their own university. The plan allows the student to bypass the usual application for admission procedures and transfer of credit processes. The student enrols and pays fees to their Home University and is classed as an "Ontario Visiting Graduate Student" at the Host University where they pay no fees.

For more information, University of Guelph graduate students should reference the Office of Graduate Studies website. Students studying at other universities in Ontario should contact the graduate studies office at their Home University.

 Work Experience

Overview 

Work Experience (WEX) provides an opportunity for all students in a WEX approved program to receive preparation and support to participate in one work experience in a vocational setting during their degree program. The WEX option provides students with meaningful work experience during their studies.  

The Work Experience term is typically paid and full-time lasting a minimum of 10 weeks and completing at least 350 hours. Students who find unpaid/underpaid opportunities through a personal network job search and/or require reduced/flexible hours can request approval through the Experiential Learning Hub (EL Hub). The EL Hub only provides suitable paid WEX roles on Experience Guelph and supports students through the application, interview and offer process.  

The WEX employment process is competitive, and while the EL Hub makes every effort to assist students in gaining employment, there is no guarantee that every student will become employed through the employment process. 

For more information about WEX, visit: https://www.uoguelph.ca/experiential-learning/current-students/wex/ 

Eligibility and Admissions 

To receive WEX certification, students must complete and pass the WEX Preparation and WEX Employment Process non-credit courses sequentially, as the pre-requisites for the Work Experience term. Students must meet the minimum academic requirements as listed by their degree program, and maintain satisfactory progress, to participate in the WEX program. Students must abide by the Agreement for Student Involvement in WEX reviewed during the Work Experience Preparation course. 

Registration, Fees and Grades 

WEX Course Requirements 

To complete the Work Experience program option and receive WEX certification, students must complete the following courses:  

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
WEX*6100	Work Experience Preparation	0.00
WEX*6110	Work Experience Employment Process	0.00
WEX*6000	Work Experience	0.00

Each program will outline the typical semesters when students are encouraged to enrol in the WEX courses. Students should speak to their graduate program coordinator for information related to scheduling the WEX courses within their programs of study.  

WEX Fees 

Students pay a WEX fee each time they enrol in a WEX course. WEX fees are billed to the student’s financial account and are non-refundable. 

Work Experience and Concurrent Course Enrolment 

Students wishing to register in one or more academic courses during their Work Experience term should discuss first with their graduate program coordinator, and would need to submit a Course Add Form obtaining all required departmental approvals to do so. If approved, regular tuition and fees for the semester will apply. 

Work Experience Course Requirements 

Students in the Work Experience course create learning outcomes related to their employment experience. At the end of the Work Experience, students must submit an academic Work Experience Report. Work Experience Reports must be submitted to the WEX faculty advisor assigned by their academic program according to the deadline indicated on the WEX Important Dates website. The WEX faculty advisor is responsible for grading the WEX work report. Students will also receive a WEX Work Performance Evaluation (WEX WPE) grade from their employer. Students must obtain a passing Work Experience Report grade from the faculty advisor and a passing WEX WPE grade from the employer to complete the Work Experience and meet WEX Certification requirements. A grade of ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ will appear on the student's Academic Record for the Work Experience. 

A student who does not submit a Work Experience Report will not receive credit for the Work Experience. An unsatisfactory grade will appear on the student’s Academic Record, and the student will not be eligible to receive WEX Certification. 

Unsatisfactory/Failed WEX Course(s) 

Because graduate students cannot graduate with an unresolved failed grade on their record, those who receive a failing grade in a WEX course must follow the WEX Appeals Process, as the standard graduate procedures for resolving failed grades do not apply. If an appeal is unsuccessful, the student may petition the Admissions & Progress Committee (A&P), which meets monthly through the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, requesting a late drop of the WEX course. If approved, the WEX course grade will be changed to Withdrawn: No Penalty (WNP) and in cases where no other courses are listed in the semester, UNIV*7500 will be added to ensure continuity of registration for the semester.  

WEX Appeals  

Visit this website for more information about WEX appeals. 

Work Experience Preparation Course Appeals  

If a student does not complete the Work Experience Preparation course or does not receive a passing (‘satisfactory’) grade, an appeal may be submitted to the Experiential Learning Hub Appeals Committee using the WEX Appeals Form. The form can be obtained from the EL Hub. The student must appeal the decision no later than the fifteenth-class day after notification. The decision of the Experiential Learning Hub Appeals Committee is final. 

Work Experience Employment Process Course Appeals 

If a student does not complete the Work Experience Employment Process course or does not receive a passing (‘satisfactory’) grade, an appeal may be submitted to the Experiential Learning Hub Appeals Committee using the WEX Appeals Form. The form can be obtained from the EL Hub. The student must appeal the decision no later than the fifteenth-class day after notification. The decision of the Experiential Learning Hub Appeals Committee is final. 

Work Experience Appeals 

A student who fails the Work Experience course for the following reasons has the option to appeal to the Experiential Learning Hub Appeals Committee no later than the fifteenth-class day after notification of any of the following:

1. The student is dismissed from the Work Experience;
2. The student receives a grade of ‘unsatisfactory’ on the WEX WPE graded by the employer; or 
3. The student leaves the employer without approval from the EL Hub after acceptance of or during the Work Experience term.  

The decision of the Experiential Learning Hub Appeals Committee is final. 

Work Experience Report Appeals 

If the student wishes to appeal an unsatisfactory grade resulting from a Work Experience Report not submitted, the appeal must be submitted to the Department Chair/School Director of their Academic Program according to the regulations outlined in Section II of the Graduate Academic Calendar under Grade Reassessment.   

Release of Academic Information 

Students grant permission to the Office of Registrarial Services to release to the Experiential Learning Hub (EL Hub) their University of Guelph transcript and any transcript from other post-secondary institutions that may be part of the academic record held by the Office of Registrarial Services. Students also grant permission to the EL Hub to release their resumes, cover letters and any transcripts released by the Office of Registrarial Services to prospective employers to whom the students are applying. Students also grant permission for employment information to be released for use in statistical analysis at the University of Guelph.