Practicum

A practicum is a college or university course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently studied theory.

Students will engage in a practicum, which will culminate classroom theory into practical real world application. Students should expect a high calibre practicum experience, gaining valuable insight into the organization, while demonstrating acquired hands on knowledge in a relevant industry role.

Please note: Depending on your geographic location and the availability of practicum sites, you may be required to travel and/or relocate in order to complete the practical portions of the Diploma requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected time commitment for the practicum session?

How is the practicum placement evaluated?

Where can I complete my practicum?

Are these paid practicum sessions?

What is the process for securing a practicum site?

Where can I find additional information on the practicum?

Where have students been placed in the past?

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1. What is the expected time commitment for the practicum session?

The practicum session runs for a total of 560 hours. Similar to any work-related position, students will be on-site or conducting site-related work for a minimum of 35 hours per week following a schedule predetermined by the student, Practicum Coordinator and practicum site supervisor. Students must successfully complete both practicum sessions to satisfy the requirements for the diploma.

How is the practicum placement evaluated?

There are three components to each practicum evaluation:

• An on-site evaluation of performance conducted by a designated site supervisor.
• An ongoing learning journal evaluated by a designated site supervisor.
• A final paper evaluated by an Practicum Coordinator.

All evaluation criteria will be outlined on the course syllabus provided to students in the fall.

Where can I complete my practicum?

Continuing Studies recruits practicum sites from agencies and organizations located across the country in business, government, health, and non-profit sectors. Students will be provided with a pre-approved list of potential practicum sites; however, students may consider collaborating with the Practicum Coordinator to identify new sites of interest.

Please note: Depending on your geographic location and the availability of practicum sites, you may be required to travel and/or relocate in order to complete the practical portions of the Diploma requirements

Are these paid practicum sessions?

Successful completion of the practicum, based on the evaluation of the student’s on-site performance, is a requirement of the academic program. A site may choose to recognize the student’s contribution to the organization by offering a monthly stipend or honorarium, but this is at the site's discretion, and is not required for sites to be eligible to participate.

What is the process for securing a practicum site?

Planning for the practicum begins in the fall. Prior to this time, students are encouraged to begin thinking about specific sites of interest, or sectors of interest, and are invited to discuss their ideas with the Practicum Coordinator after their acceptance into the diploma. In the fall, students will be provided with a list of approved practicum sites; students may also work directly with the Practicum Coordinator to secure a practicum site that is not on the list. As much as possible, the process for securing a practicum will look like the process for securing employment:

• A ‘job description’ for each site participating in the practicum will be provided to students.
• Students will submit cover letters and résumés to a limited number of sites according to established deadlines.
• Interviews will be conducted between the student and site supervisor.
• More than one student may ‘apply’ to the same site. Where space is limited to one practicum student, interested students may be competing for the placement.

 

Where can I find additional information on the practicum?

The Practicum Coordinator at Continuing Studies guides students through the practicum process. Upon acceptance into the program, students are encouraged to contact the Practicum Coordinator to discuss their interests, questions, and/or concerns.

If you have questions beyond the information that is provided here, please contact Continuing Studies at Western at 519 661 3658 or email post-degree@uwo.ca.