SPECIAL STUDIES
Catherine Magowan
Records Administrator
416-977-6000, Ext. 498
Special Studies offer third- and fourth-year students the opportunity to earn credits outside of the scheduled OCAD University curriculum for the fall (D2), winter (D3) and summer semesters.
There are two types of Special Studies: Field Study and Self-Directed Study.
To be eligible to register for Special Studies, students must have an overall average of 70 percent. All Special Studies applications must be accompanied by a one-page (500 word) typed proposal demonstrating how the Special Study will advance the applicant's overall course of study at OCAD U.
Year three students with 10.0 or more completed program credits may take a maximum of 0.5 credit in Special Studies.
Year four students with 15.0 or more completed program credits may take a maximum of 1.0 credit in Special Studies.
Deadline dates of application:
July 22, 2011 for 2011 fall semester
November 11, 2011 for 2012 winter semester
April 2, 2012 for 2012 summer semester
Submit completed applications to the Office of the Registrar, located at 115 McCaul St., Level 2.
Field Study
Field Studies provide students with opportunities to gain experience in the professional worlds of art and design that will complement their studies. On-site work is performed under the guidance of the field study sponsor, and the field study credit is supervised and evaluated by an OCAD U teaching faculty*.
The Field Study policy specifically prohibits students from receiving any wage or salary from their Sponsor for the duration of the Field Study. Further, the policy specifies that students may not participate in a Field Study assignment with a current or former employer. For more detailed Sponsor Information (PDF).
Application Process
1) Completed Sponsor Profile Form (PDF)
2) Completed Student Field Study Application Form (PDF)
3) Project Proposal [500-word essay]
The project must receive overall approval by the Chair of the student's program.
Sponsor Profile Form
The Sponsor Profile form must be completed by the individual who will be supervising the student at the field study placement. Before signing the student's field study application, the supervising teaching faculty must review and approve this form.
Student Field Study Application Form
The Field Study application form must be signed by the field study sponsor to indicate a willingness to participate in this educational experience and to verify that qualified personnel will supervise the student and that the number of contact hours is equivalent to the credit value of the project. Completed proposals must be approved in writing by the supervising teaching faculty†. Fourth-year students must indicate on the form whether they would like the course to be assigned a 0.5 credit or a 1.0 credit value.
Project Proposal
The student must also submit a comprehensive proposal (minimum 500 words) of his or her field study project that is initialed by the supervising teaching faculty. The project proposal should:
a) Describe the purpose in participating in the Field Study program.
b) Describe in detail the type of work the project involves.
c) Outline the number of contact hours the sponsor has agreed upon and include details of the work schedule.
d) Discuss the benefits the project will add to the student's studies, including how the experience will further career objectives.
e) Provide a business profile of the Sponsor, including their general contribution to the professional practice of art or design.
Supervision & Evaluation
That the student is responsible for providing the Sponsor and supervising teaching faculty with all necessary forms and documentation.
The Field Study Sponsor is required to submit mid-point and final assessments to the supervising teaching faculty using the Sponsor Assessment Form (PDF).
The supervising teaching faculty is to meet with the student to monitor progress of the project. This is accomplished by reviewing the mid-point assessment and evaluating final assessments and documentation to assign a final grade using the Student & Teaching Faculty Final Assessment Form (PDF).
The final grade assigned by the supervising teaching faculty reflects an evaluation of the final written assessments of both the sponsor and the student, the student’s updated resumé, a 500-word essay, and any other supporting documentation such as journals, reports, photos, videos, sketchbooks and research papers.
Deadline:
Field Study assessments must be approved by supervising teaching faculty by the following dates:
Mid-Point
Summer semester: June 24, 2011
Fall semester: October 28, 2011
Winter semester: February 24, 2012
Final
Summer semester: July 29, 2011
Fall semester: December 9, 2011
Winter semester: April 13, 2012
Self-Directed Study
Self-Directed Studies provide students with the opportunity to undertake studies of significance to their educational objectives, where otherwise not available through the regular university curriculum. Self-Directed Studies are supervised and evaluated by OCAD U's teaching faculty*.
Application Process
1) Completed Self-Directed Study Application Form (PDF)
2) Project Proposal
The project must receive overall approval by the Chair of the student's program.
Self-Directed Study Application Form
Fourth-year students must indicate on the form whether they would like the course to be assigned a 0.5 credit or a 1.0 credit value.
Project Proposal
The student must also submit a comprehensive proposal (minimum 500 words) of his or her field study project that is initialed by the supervising teaching faculty*. This proposal should:
a) Explain goals or learning objectives.
b) Describe the type and extent of research.
c) Discuss specific skills and knowledge to be developed.
d) Discuss the benefits this project will add to the student's studies.
Supervision & Evaluation
Students are required to initiate regular meetings with their supervising teaching faculty, and complete the three formal critiques required each semester. The critiques are to be written by the supervising teaching faculty on a Self-Directed Critique Form (PDF).
During the first formal critique, the evaluation criteria for the project are to be defined by the student and the supervising teaching faculty. All critiques are to include a written narrative addressing these criteria by the supervising teaching faculty.
Deadline:
Self-Directed Study critiques must be approved by supervising teaching faculty bythe following dates:
Critique #1
Summer semester: Friday May 27, 2011
Fall semester: Friday September 23, 2011
Winter semester: Friday January 20, 2012
Critique #2
Summer semester: Friday June 24, 2011
Fall semester: Friday October 21, 2011
Winter semester: Friday February 24, 2012
Critique #3
Summer semester: Friday August 5, 2011
Fall semester: Friday December 16, 2011
Winter semester: Friday April 13, 2012
* Please note that not all faculty are available as Special Studies supervisors. Students should verify if the faculty member they select is available before proceeding with their application.
Last Modified:1/24/2012 12:57:30 PM
