Labour Studies
University of Windsor
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Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions:

“Can I take the programme part-time?”

Yes, you can. This is a very flexible programme in that you can begin with one course and continue at that pace taking one course at a time. Or you can take two or more courses on a part-time basis; and, of course, you can take a full-time five-course load. If you need to skip a semester here and there, you can also do that when on part-time status. This also means that you can take particular courses for interest or personal development without intending to get a degree or certificate.

“What do I need to do to apply?”

Applicants for full-time, undergraduate studies must apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (O.U.A.C.). Current Ontario secondary school students use the O.U.A.C. 101 application form, all others use the O.U.A.C. 105D application form. Part-time applicants should follow the instructions provided on the Registrars website: www.uwindsor.ca/registrar and use the University of Windsor's online application form.

“What do I need to be accepted?”

For students currently graduating from Ontario Secondary School, the suggested admission average is 70% and Grade 12 “U” English 1 is required.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirements for admission to the University of Windsor may be eligible for consideration as mature students if they:

Applicants must submit proof of age and official transcripts from the secondary school(s) and from any post-secondary institution which they may have attended. In addition, they must submit a letter of application outlining their career ambitions and why they expect to be successful in university studies, their work experiences, personal and professional development and training, and any other pertinent information, along with supporting documentation (where possible).

“When can I apply?”

Applicants must apply and submit all supporting documents as follows: August 1 for the Fall term, December 1 for the Winter term, and April 1 for the Summer term (Intersession and Summer Session). Early application is recommended.

“Can I get credit for practical experience or courses taken elsewhere?"

If they are university courses, you will be able to obtain credits for the courses as long as equivalencies can be determined. Community College course can sometimes be applied as well. Graduates of the C.A.W./McMaster Labour Studies Certificate Program can receive 5 course credits toward a university degree in Labour Studies. All other Labour courses are not counted at this time. However, students can apply for advanced standing for certain courses on the grounds that a combination of educational and practical experiences constitute the same level of knowledge covered in the course. An examination (oral or written) would be used to confirm that the student does not require the course in question. There is also a process called Prior Learning Assessment which allows students to gain course credit for practical experience.

Contact the Student Information Resource Centre, 253-3000 ext. 1414, or the Labour Studies office, 253-3000 ext. 3723, for more information.

“Are courses available in the evening? Off-campus? In the summer?”

From year to year, the required Labour Studies courses will be offered alternately in the evening and during the day. We also try to offer at least one labour studies course off campus each year. Partial Distance classes are held in the morning and in the early evening (see pg.2). Although a wide range of courses will be available in the evening, the ranges of courses will be more limited if you are restricted to the evening. Until we obtain more resources as the student numbers increase, we cannot guarantee that all required courses will be available at night. Some courses are also offered in the summer during the Spring (Intersession) and Summer semesters.

Information on courses and schedules can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar (253-3000 ext. 3315) or the University website: www.uwindsor.ca/registrar or the Labour Studies website by clicking on the appropriate link under "Course Schedules" in the table of contents.

“What funding is available?”

Currently, there are no specific University of Windsor Labour Studies scholarships. There are a large number of general and social science scholarships available at the University for which Labour Studies students are eligible. There are also a number of part-time student awards. For a full list of awards, contact the Office of Student Awards and Financial Aid. There is also a loan program available for full-time students. Again, contact the Office of Student Awards and Financial Aid for further information.
Union members should also recognize that some collective agreements such as CAW Local 444 and Local 200 have provisions for full tuition rebates. Some Unions also have Bursary programs for their members. Contact your local union office for further information.

“What is tuition? Other costs?”

Please check with the Cashiers Office to find out about current tuition costs and course fees, 253-3000 ext. 3307, or visit their website at: www.uwindsor.ca/cashiers

“How many hours are the courses?”

In traditional courses, there are usually three hours of class time per week for each course. Each course normally involves 13 weeks plus final examinations for a total of 39 hours. Partial distance course vary in their weekly format, but the total classroom hours do not exceed 18 hours per semester.

“How hard are the courses? What will they involve?”

There are wide variations in the content and style of different courses. Some courses will involve more lectures than others, and some will involve more writing and research than others. Generally speaking, the courses that you take with us will emphasize class participation, discussion and debate, as well as giving you plenty of opportunities to develop your writing, thinking and research skills.

We realize that it is not always easy for people returning to school from a long absence. However, Labour Studies professors will make every effort to help you to develop the skills and confidence you need to succeed. We also have a number of services and aids available to help you in this regard. Again, contact the Labour Studies office (ext. 3723) for more information.

It is also important that you move through the program at the proper pace, taking first year (100-level courses) in sequence, then moving to the second year (200-level courses) and so on. The difficulty is pegged according to the level or year and while you can take a 200-level course before you’ve completed all your 100-level courses, you should be very cautious about moving ahead too quickly.

This program covers a broad range of different disciplines: sociology, business, psychology, history, communications, women’s studies, and political science. Most of your required courses will help you to understand the different facets and aspects of work and the role of labour and other social movements in shaping the development of labour and social justice. Some courses will be focused on other issues such as racism, gender discrimination, environmental issues, and government politics but each on has been selected for its relevance to your development as a Labour Studies student.

“How do I find out about which courses are available in a given semester?"

Course listings are available by contacting The Office of Liaison and Student Recruitment, 253-3000 ext. 7014, or by viewing the most recent Undergraduate Academic Calendar.