Skip to main content

Continuing Education

UFV/Continuing Education/Programs/Practicum information/Practicum information for students

Practicum information for students

A practicum is a temporary work experience placement as part of an educational program that provides meaningful exposure to a workplace setting. Under the supervision of an experienced or licensed professional, you will observe professionals at work, gain work experience, and apply the skills you’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations. Completing a practicum can also allow you to develop a network of professional contacts, learn more about potential future employers, and earn professional references.

Typically, practicums are unpaid and conducted in a supervised setting during standard business hours for the field.

Please ensure you review the Practicum Expectations Guide for Students carefully before your practicum starts so you understand what is expected of you.

For more information on Continuing Education practicums, select a program from the list below.

Practicum length

The Activity Assistant program has two practicums: 

  1. A 30-hour observational practicum midway through the program
  2. A 90-hour hands-on practicum at the end of the program

These practicums will be located at the same site.

Practicum dates

  1. February (30-hour observational practicum)
  2. May to June (90-hour hands-on practicum)

Practicum admission requirements

  • Successful completion of all courses leading up to the practicum
  • Submission of all supporting documents listed on the program page

Common practicum sites

Long-term care homes, assisted living settings, adult day care programs, client homes, mental health homes, residential group homes.

Activity Assistant program page

Practicum length

80 hours (2 weeks)

Practicum dates

January

Practicum admission requirements

  • Successful completion of all courses leading up to the practicum
  • Submission of all supporting documents listed on the program page

Common practicum sites

Clinics, hospitals, health agencies, private practices.

Medical Office Assistant program page

Practicum length

150 hours (4 weeks)

Practicum dates

Twice a year (winter and summer)

Practicum admission requirements

  • Successful completion of all courses leading up to the practicum
  • Submission of all supporting documents listed on the program page

Common practicum sites

Hospitals, health care facilities.

Nursing Unit Clerk program page

Practicum length

80 hours (2 weeks)

Practicum dates

The Public Relations practicum is offered once a year in the spring. Upcoming practicum dates are posted on the program page by the first week of December.

Practicum admission requirements

Successful completion of all courses leading up to the practicum.

Common practicum sites

Marketing agencies, or offices in any sector that require public relations support.

Public Relations program page

Practicum length

70-80 hours (2 weeks)

Practicum dates

The Records Management practicum is offered once a year in the spring. Upcoming practicum dates are posted on the program page by the first week of December.

Practicum admission requirements

Successful completion of all courses in the Records Management program.

Common practicum sites

Law firms, doctor’s offices, government agencies, university departments, school districts, or other administrative settings.

Records Management program page

Practicum length

75 hours (2 weeks)

Practicum dates

January

Practicum admission requirements

Successful completion of all courses in the Dental Office Receptionist program.

Common practicum sites

Dental offices, dental supply companies, insurance companies, dental labs.

Dental Office Receptionist program page

Practicum length

70-80 hours (2 weeks)

Practicum dates

July

Practicum admission requirements

Successful completion of all courses in the Legal Administrative Assistant program.

Common practicum sites

Law offices, government offices, notaries, insurance offices, real estate offices.

Legal Administrative Assistant program page

Practicum length

120 hours (3 weeks)

Practicum dates

March to April

Practicum admission requirements

Successful completion of all courses in the Veterinary Administrative Assistant program.

Common practicum sites

Veterinary offices, emergency veterinary clinics, animal care facilities, animal shelters

Veterinary Administrative Assistant program page

Practicum length

70-80 hours (2 weeks)

Practicum dates

The Bookkeeping for Small Business practicum is offered twice a year in the spring and fall. View the Bookkeeping course page for upcoming practicum dates and deadlines.

Note: Students must register for the Bookkeeping for Small Business practicum at least 10 weeks before the practicum start date. Please contact cepracticum@ufv.ca if you are interested in participating in Practicum.

Practicum admission requirements

Successful completion of all six courses required for the Bookkeeping for Small Business certificate. Students do not need to have received their physical certificate before registering for practicum as long as they have successfully completed their courses.

Common practicum sites

Accounting firms, small businesses, or any administrative setting that requires financial management.

Bookkeeping course page

 

Frequently asked questions

Successful completion of a practicum is required for the certificate programs listed above, as it ensures that students gain essential hands-on experience in their field of study. If you do not complete a practicum, you will not receive your certificate, as it is a graduation requirement. The Bookkeeping for Small Business program is the only program that offers an optional practicum that is not required for program completion.

If you live in the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland, UFV will arrange a practicum placement for you, leveraging our network of partner organizations and professional contacts.

If you reside outside this region, you are responsible for locating a suitable practicum site within your area. Once you have identified a potential site, please submit the details to cepracticum@ufv.ca for approval to ensure it meets our program's standards and requirements.

Your practicum hours will reflect the schedule of the host you are paired with. You cannot select your practicum schedule.

It is recommended that students do not work while completing their practicum. If you choose to work, it is your responsibility to ensure that your work hours and workload do not interfere with your practicum requirements.

It’s important to treat your practicum like a job and present yourself professionally. Please review Continuing Education's Practicum Expectations Guide for Students carefully before your practicum begins.

No, students may not defer practicum as the practicum dates are set ahead of time to align with the program. Students who miss or withdraw from their practicum may re-register for practicum at the next intake date, but will be required to pay the tuition cost of the practicum again.

This will depend on the program. Please contact cepracticum@ufv.ca for more information.

Your practicum host will assess you based on various factors, including attendance, putting theory into action, knowledge, and professionalism. Practicum instructors will use various assessment methods, such as supervisor evaluations, mid-way surveys, reflective assignments, and presentations to determine your final grade. For further details, refer to your practicum checklist and program guidelines.

Please note that practicum is a mandatory graduation requirement and you must pass practicum to receive your certificate.

UFV will arrange practicum placements for students living in the Lower Mainland. While we aim to place students in or near their city of residence for their practicum, we cannot guarantee a practicum placement in a specific city, and you may be required to travel to a nearby city. It is your responsibility to arrange reliable transportation to your practicum site. Students living outside the Lower Mainland are responsible for locating their own practicum placement.

No, you are not permitted to complete your practicum at your workplace. For more information, please email cepracticum@ufv.ca.

You are welcome to contact cepracticum@ufv.ca with your request. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate these requests.

If you decide not to accept your assigned practicum placement for any reason, you must find and confirm another appropriate practicum site that can host you within the set practicum dates for your program. You will need to submit the details of your new practicum site to cepracticum@ufv.ca for approval no later than six weeks before the practicum start date. Students who miss their practicum may re-register for practicum at the next intake date, but will be required to pay the tuition cost of the practicum again.

If you miss a day of practicum due to illness or family emergency, you will be required to make up that day in order to complete your practicum. Please email your preceptor, practicum instructor, and cepracticum@ufv.ca immediately to let them know you will be absent.

If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances that will prevent you from completing your practicum, please contact cepracticum@ufv.ca immediately. Extenuating circumstances are defined as a situation beyond your control that prevents you from completing a course, program, or practicum. These are circumstances that are unexpected and/or uncontrollable and arise during the course of the program.

Examples of extenuating circumstances include:

  • Death of an immediate family member
  • Car accident
  • Medical emergency
  • Incapacitating illness
  • Serious personal situation

The following do not qualify: 

  • Inability to achieve a passing grade
  • Unawareness of deadlines
  • Unfamiliar with UFV policies
  • Unfavorable weather conditions
  • A short-term illness
  • An unmanaged, pre-existing health condition

UFV may require you to submit documentation of extenuating circumstances, such as a medical certificate.

Please discuss any barriers that may affect your practicum assignment with Continuing Education immediately after applying to your program.

Upgrade your skills & achieve your goals

Upgrading and University Preparation (UUP) programs and courses can help you upgrade your academic and workplace skills. Tuition is free for domestic students.

Learn more about UUP