September 6th, 2024
Practicums and Work-Integrated Learning at UCalgary
Learn about which University of Calgary undergraduate programs offer practicums, field experience and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities!
In combination with our blog post on co-ops and internships, we will now get into practicums and field experience at the University of Calgary! For any prospective student who is interested in getting hands-on work experience during your undergraduate degree, keep reading to find out how you can do so!
Cumming School of Medicine
Through the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation program, students must participate in practicum placements through three senior level classes of CORE 487, 594 and 595. These classes fulfill a program requirement for them to graduate allowing them to apply their skills and concepts learnt in class to a practical and professional setting.
Through their practicum, and course selection, Community and Rehabilitation students can specialize in areas such as career development, working with seniors, brain injury, community mental health or early intervention.
Faculty of Kinesiology
Within our Kinesiology practicum, students will complete unpaid work in a professional setting to build a professional network, gain practical work experience, and explore a variety of opportunities. They can complete up to 3 practicums within their degree from 3 different organizations to put their learned skills to practical use before graduation and explore career opportunities!
Before entering a practicum, the student must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a Bachelor of Kinesiology or a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. This is to ensure the student has a solid understanding of their program and its foundations. Explore more information on our Kinesiology practicum.
Schulich School of Engineering
Our engineering students are required to complete a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) option throughout their degree. UCalgary’s Engineering Career Practicum program is one-way students can meet this requirement! Students in their first- or second-year of engineering can apply to the Engineering Career Practicum (ECP) course to gain relevant work experience early in their degrees, increasing their future success and employability. The program is designed for driven and enthusiastic engineering students looking for work experience for 10-16 weeks during the spring/summer (May 1 to Aug. 31), or part-time work throughout the fall and winter terms! This allows students to gain hands-on, technical, and experiential work experience by completing at least 350 hours of work during the term.
If you are planning to pursue an engineering degree and this interests you, the Engineering Career Centre are always willing to help you with your journey! Additionally, you can find more information about the Engineering Practicum Program on their website.
Faculty of Social Work
Every student in our Bachelor of Social Work program will complete at least one practicum throughout their degree. Our social work practicum (also known as field education) will provide students with the opportunity to integrate classroom experience in the real world and get a feel for different types of social work practice.
Check out the Social Work Field Education Manual to review the courses in this program and the policies/procedures related to field education. Explore more about the Bachelor of Social Work’s field education.
Faculty of Nursing
As students complete our Bachelor of Nursing program, they will complete a set schedule of terms. In terms 3-8, students will complete a clinical placement (practicums) each term, in various settings, including community health, long-term care and acute care. This allows our nursing students to practice and build their skills in placements across all areas of nursing practice. Nursing students also get to spend their first year taking courses pivotal to their learning and future nursing practice allowing our students to gain a strong foundation before clinical placements (practicums).
To explore more about our nursing practicums, please see the Bachelor of Nursing Curriculum Overview.
Werklund School of Education
Bachelor of Education students will complete 20 weeks of practicum/field experience where they will have the opportunity to work in classroom settings. The practicum is organized into four cohort-based classes; Field Experience I-IV. In Field Experience I, student teachers will visit multiple classrooms to find out about life in schools. In Field Experience II, III & IV, student teachers are mentored by partner teachers and gradually work toward assuming the full responsibilities of a classroom teacher.
To read the course descriptions for each field experience and to learn more about our education practicum, please see here.
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