This fall, students having trouble getting into courses at York have a bigger pool to choose from, as York and Ryerson launch a formal exchange program together.
York students can enroll in courses at Ryerson and use the credit towards their degree without having to get a letter of permission.
The exchange program is open to York students in Honours programs from the faculties of environmental studies, health, liberal arts and professional studies, and science, and offers 40 courses for students to choose from.
The new program will allow students to cross-register at either institution, meaning the grade for each credit completed will show on the transcript and count towards their overall GPA.
Alice Pitt, York’s vice-provost academic, says that prior to the official exchange program, a great number of York students took courses at Ryerson as visiting students, so the new program will only make the process easier and more efficient.
“We’re really interested in students having choice and flexibility and this program really adds to that,” says Pitt.
Currently, with new courses being added each term, the courses include offerings in economics, accounting, psychology, chemistry, and philosophy. Most of the courses being offered at the moment are introductory or intermediate-level courses, with a few courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels.
According to Pitt, the new program will allow students to learn material through different point of views.
“One of the big benefits of exchange is to see the world from a different perspective, so this program will help students broaden their experiences by interacting with professors and peers from a different university,” says Pitt. “Even the difference between being between Steeles and Finch and downtown Toronto will help enrich the student experience.”
The program is available to students who have already completed 24 credits at their home institution and who have a minimum C-plus GPA.
Rameeza Ahmed
Assitant News Editor