Indigenous Enriched Support Program (IESP) students take first-year credit courses while benefiting from academic support in the form of weekly workshops. At the end of their IESP year, students who achieve the necessary grade point average across three courses (C+ for most Arts programs) are eligible for acceptance into full-time study in many degree programs at Carleton.
IESP students enroll in three university credit courses: one core First-Year-Seminar credit and two courses from a list of first-year subjects supported by IESP.
First-Year Seminar (FYSM): The First-Year-Seminar course helps students develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills required for university-level study. Students in IESP enroll in an Indigenous Studies First-Year Seminar.
Elective Course: IESP students register and attend classes along with Carleton University students and participate in all forms of university life. They are evaluated according to the same standards. At the end of each course, they are given the same universally recognized university credit.
Workshop: Students are enrolled in two workshops per semester. Workshops are non-credit courses used to provide additional support to IESP students during their transition into post-secondary education. Each student must pick one workshop from each section that fits in their schedule.
Workshop #1: Reading, Writing, and Research Seminar
This seminar-workshop is meant to provide intensive research and writing support and build holistic, academic skills for the post-secondary environment.
Workshop #2: Mino pimàdiziwin (A Good Way of Life) Seminar
This seminar-workshop offers students the opportunity to learn skills in well-being and mental health, financial literacy, career planning, Indigenous ways of knowing & being, public speaking/communication, and other holistic wellness skills to support their whole being.
Successful students have transferred to degree programs such as Anthropology, Art History, Indigenous and Canadian Studies, Criminology/Criminal Justice, English Literature, Environmental Studies, Film, Geography, History, Human Rights, Humanities, Law, Linguistics, Mass Communication, Music, Political Science, Psychology, Public Affairs and Policy Management, Social Work, Sociology, Women’s Studies and others.