Practicums are built into our Health Services, Adventure Tourism Business Operations, Child, Youth & Family Studies, Recreation Management and Hairstylist programs. The length of and number of practicums vary by program. Refer to your program page for more information on program specific practicums.
Mandatory Professional Practicum/Clinical Placement: Involves work experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional (e.g. preceptor) in any discipline that requires practice-based work experience for professional licensure or certification. Practica are generally unpaid and, as the work is done in a supervised setting, typically students do not have their own workload/caseload.
Work Placement: Provides students with multi term Work experience in a workplace setting related to the student’s field of study and/or career goals. These can be either Paid or unpaid, depending on program and students qualifications.
You may be wondering:
How do I find a practicum or work placement?
- Each program has their own specific instructions outlining the responsibilities of the student. Please check your program and course outlines for more information.
- Placements can be either paid or unpaid, depending on the program and the students qualifications.
- Where possible, students will complete practicum requirements in their own community. If they are not able to complete practicum requirements in their own communities, students must be prepared to travel elsewhere, and will be responsible for their own transportation as well as any travel and living expenses.
- All students are supported through the placement process by their Practicum Program Coordinator and the Co-op and Employment Services office.
What happens during my practicum or work placement?
Regular contact is maintained between you, the College and the employer. Both you and the employer will be asked to complete evaluations of the placement upon completion.
How do I receive credit for my work placement?
If practicum completion is a program requirement, it will be listed in your program as a course with an assigned grade of either “Complete” or “No Credit Granted”. Upon satisfactory completion of all academic and practicum requirements for your program, you will receive the appropriate diploma, certificate, or post-diploma designation on your transcripts.
What kind of insurance coverage do I have while on practicum?
As per the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, WorkSafeBC Coverage for Post-Secondary Students:
Practicums within BC
A College of the Rockies student is eligible to be deemed a worker of the Crown, meaning they are eligible for WorkSafeBC coverage for work-related illness or injury, if participating in the practicum component of their program within BC while enrolled at College of the Rockies and if the illness or injury occurs while the student is at a workplace as part of the practicum.
A student participating in a practicum within BC, but who is required to undertake some work or travel outside of BC as part of their practicum may be eligible for WorkSafeBC coverage if the circumstances meet the conditions of the Workers Compensation Act Section 147.
Practicums Outside of BC
- A College of the Rockies student is not eligible for WorkSafeBC coverage for practicums outside of BC and some programs prohibit students from completing practicums outside of BC.
- Students are encouraged to confirm similar workplace coverage with the province or country in which they will be working. The student is also advised to obtain their own medical insurance by contacting their preferred insurance agent to learn more about private insurance coverage.
- Should a student decide to complete their practicum outside of BC they must complete and sign the Out-Of-Province Practicum Insurance Coverage Acknowledgement Form. Acknowledging that they understand that they will not be covered by the College.