Practicum information for students

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 Lower Mainland, UFV will arrange a practicum placement for you, leveraging our network of partner organizations and professional contacts.

If you reside outside the Lower Mainland, 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 the practicum expectations guide 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. See your program’s webpage 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.