Learner Engagement for Academic Purposes (LEAP)

What is LEAP?

Making a successful transition to university doesn't happen by accident. To be a successful student, you will need to learn a variety of academic and life-management skills. Expectations for how you apply these skills can be much higher than you experienced in high school. LEAP is a highly interactive in-person course, specifically designed to provide you with the skills needed to ensure a successful transition into the Ontario Tech university community and beyond. 

• LEAP is a for-credit course which is eligible for OSAP. If you successfully complete LEAP, you will earn academic credit toward your degree (for eligible programs*).

What will I learn in LEAP?

The course combines in-class lectures and hands-on activities with experiential learning opportunities, guest speakers, individual mentoring, and academic advising and support.

Students who successfully complete LEAP will be able to:

1. Apply design thinking to identify barriers to successful progression through the post-secondary program.
2. Create a framework for personal, career, and academic development.
3. Develop a series of personally-relevant tools that can be used to overcome barriers.
4. Apply best practices for learning and personal development to discipline-specific scenarios.
   

• Take a look at an example assignment to see what types of activities you can expect in LEAP. 

Who should take LEAP?

All Ontario Tech students can benefit from taking the LEAP course. However, we specifically recommend LEAP for:

• First year students from eligible programs*.
• Students on academic probation (GPA below 2.0 for one semester), to work on strategies to improve their standing.
• Students with other circumstances and academic standings, based on recommendations by their Faculty or academic advisors. 

Taking LEAP is required for students facing certain circumstances, including:

• Students who are facing academic suspension (GPA below 2.0 for more than one semester) are required to take LEAP if they would like to reduce the term of their suspension to a single term.
• Students who must complete and pass LEAP as part of their academic appeal conditions. 
• students who were admitted to a program with a condition of enrolment to register in LEAP.

How do I register for LEAP?

Students from eligible programs*

If you're interested in taking LEAP, you can register for the course as an elective if you are from one of the eligible programs*. All university fees, policies, and procedures apply when taking LEAP. 

• Register for LEAP the same way you would register for any other course.

Students facing academic suspension

If you are facing academic suspension, you will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar with information about how to register for LEAP. The email will be sent to your OntarioTechU.Net email. Do not share the registration email with any other students.

If you are appealing your academic standing and you receive the email from the Office of the Registrar, you should still sign up for the course. You can leave the course if your academic appeal is approved.

• If you are facing suspension or are appealing your standing, look out for the email from the Office of the Registrar, or talk with your academic advisor.

International students

If you are an international student, please contact your international student advisor on next steps so they can provide you with information on how to maintain compliance with your study permit conditions.

*Eligible Programs: Students from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science are not eligible to use LEAP as a 1000-level credit towards their degree program. Students in other Faculties and programs are permitted to use LEAP as a 1000-level elective credit.

Please consult with your academic advisor to determine if LEAP fits into your first-year program map. Eligible students may elect to take LEAP as a 1000-level elective at any time during their studies, providing it fits in their schedule. 

What is the cost of LEAP?

The tuition for LEAP is based on your degree program, year level and residency status plus applicable ancillary fees. For more information, please visit ontariotechu.ca/fees.