Work-based learning is the practice and application of classroom knowledge in a real-world setting or simulated environment under the supervision of an experienced professional. Some courses may also incorporate industry-based projects and simulations.
Program Required Work-Based Learning
These are work-based learning experiences that are embedded within a program's curriculum and are a required element for program completion and graduation. Through these experiences, students earn college credit, gain valuable work experience and develop their employability skills.
Apprenticeship Training
- Programs are registered by the state
- Students must apply and be accepted
- These opportunities are managed by the organizations offering them
- Students are paid; employers get tax breaks
- Examples: Carpenters, Heavy Equipment Operating
- Engineers, IBEW, Iron Workers, Plumbers, Sheet Metal
- Workers, Stationary Operating Engineers, PA Early Education
Clinical
- Health care-related
- Provides preemployment experience in the field
- Typically a defined number of days/hours/weeks
- Normally required by the program
- Requirements outlined by the department and clinical site
Practicum
- Provides preemployment experience in the field
- May be paid or unpaid (must be unpaid for ECD)
- Course description must list the minimum number of hours required
- Departments identify and manage practicum sites
- Examples: Court Reporting, Criminal Justice, Dietetics, Early Education, ASL-English Interpreting, Social Work
Cooperative Education
- Hands-on experience, applied knowledge
- Usually full-time, paid positions
- Offered with variable credit based on hours
- May or may not be required for a given program
- Specific criteria apply
- Coordinated by the discipline departments or Workforce and Job Readiness
Capstone
- The culminating course in a program
- A work-based learning component may be included
- May offer students the opportunity to analyze real-world problems facing companies and to present their solutions at the end of the semester
- Part of program requirements
Other Opportunities
- Application of coursework to projects by students
- Topics/problems identified by organizational partners
- Science, engineering, health care, logistics, IS/data, environmental
- Can be incorporated into other courses
- May be a capstone course
Optional Work-Based Learning
These work-based learning experiences are optional. Students may earn college credit while gaining valuable work experience.
Internship
- Supervised, structured learning in a professional setting, paid or unpaid
- Typically requires a specific number of hours within a defined time frame
- Routine feedback from an experienced supervisor
- Microinternship: a short-term (weeks-long) experience related to a specific job or task
- Credit may be awarded within Allied
- Health programs
Externship
- Short-term shadowing experience
- Helps students make connections with professionals
- Paid or unpaid
- Credit may be awarded within
- Allied Health programs
Contact
For information regarding program-specific opportunities, please contact your department
head or program coordinator.
For information regarding internships and externships, please contact Career Services
& Job Readiness at careerservices@ccac.edu or 724.325.6771