Practicums
Note: practicums are completed by Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Health and Master of Public Health (MPH) students as part of their program requirements. Social Dimensions of Health students do not complete a practicum in their programs.
Practicums are an opportunity to put what you've learned in the classroom into practice in a public health setting, under the supervision of a public health practitioner. You’ll work directly with local organizations in Canada to address public health priorities while building the knowledge and skills necessary to be a public health professional.
All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and Master of Public Health programs are required to complete a practicum. Specific requirements vary depending on your level of study.
If you have any questions, please contact the practicum coordinator.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Bachelor of Arts in Public Health | Master of Public Health |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | All core, area of focus and elective courses in the BA program | All core courses in the MPH program |
| Required courses | ||
| Time commitment | 225 hours over 1 term (16–18 hours per week) | 450 hours over 1 term (35–37 hours per week) or 2 terms (16–18 hours per week) |
Planning your practicum
You will learn more about the practice experience during the gateway orientation once you've been accepted into your program.
You will also meet one-on-one with the practicum coordinator 5 months before your scheduled practicum to find a placement and supervisor based on your public health interests.
Undergraduate practicum requirements
All BA students are required to complete a 225-hour practicum (HLTH 430) and culminating major paper (HLTH 435) at the end of your program.
Eligibility
You must have completed all core, area of focus and elective courses in the BA program before starting practicum and culminating major paper courses.
In addition to completing the prerequisite courses, you must submit a criminal record check to the school. Organizations may also need proof of immunization and additional security checks. Costs related to these requirements are your responsibility.
You must apply to complete a practicum placement at least 2 terms in advance of the start date, i.e., apply by May 1 for a placement the following January. You will work with a practicum coordinator to arrange your practicum experience.
Graduate practicum requirements
All MPH students are required to complete a 450-hour practicum (PHSP 589). This experience is usually completed at the end of your program.
Most students complete the practicum in the winter semester (January to April), a full-time commitment (35–37 hours per week). If you cannot complete your practicum full-time, you may apply for a part-time practicum over 2 semesters from September to April (16–18 hours per week). Review the MPH program plans to ensure that you are on track to complete either the full-time or part-time practicum.
MPH students complete either a culminating report (PHSP 508B) or thesis (PHSP 599) alongside their practicum. The culminating report course is a co-requisite to the practicum course and is held in the spring term (January to April). Review the MPH program plans to ensure that you are on track to complete either the full-time or part-time practicum.
Eligibility
You must complete all core courses in the MPH program before you start your practicum and culminating report or thesis.
In addition to completing the prerequisite courses, you must submit a criminal record check to the school. Organizations may also need proof of immunization and additional security checks. Costs related to these requirements are your responsibility.
You must apply to complete a practicum placement 2 terms in advance of the start date:
- full-time practicum students, apply by May 1 for a placement the following January
- part-time practicum students, apply by March 1 for a placement the following September
FAQs
Most students choose to complete their practicum placement in their home community. However, this option depends on the capacity of organizations within that community to host and supervise a student. Practicums must be completed in Canada.
MPH thesis students are encouraged to explore placement possibilities within research-intensive centres, organizations or community agencies.
Most organizations provide only unpaid placement opportunities, but an organization may pay a stipend at their discretion (and ability to pay). You will also likely be expected to pay for any additional costs of practicum (e.g., immunizations, criminal record checks and travel to and from the agency).
It is important that you plan for any financial considerations that might arise over the course of your practicum.
You are expected to complete your practicum outside of your usual workplace so you have exposure to new opportunities and experiences. While the practicum should normally take place in an organization separate from your employer, we recognize that this may not be possible in all cases.
If there is no alternative, workplace placements may be approved if they are outside normal workday responsibilities and supervised by someone other than your regular supervisor.
Note: a practicum must be different from a student’s existing job. Academic credit cannot be earned for fulfilling the responsibilities of the student’s regular job.
It is important that you set aside adequate time to complete your practicum. Since you will be working in the public health setting, you must be available during regular work hours (unless arranged otherwise with your practicum supervisor). Students are strongly discouraged from working full-time in their regular employment while also completing their practicum.
You should also keep in mind that you must complete two accompanying online courses (the practicum course and the culminating project course).
Refer to the table at the top of this page to understand the weekly hours you are expected to work at your practicum placement based on your program.
Culminating conference
During your practicum term, both BA in Public Health and MPH students will be simultaneously enrolled in a culminating major paper (HLTH 435) or culminating report (PHSP 508B). In these courses, you will plan, draft and finalize a written project reflecting your learning gained through both your coursework and practicum experiences.
At the end of your program, you and your peers will take part in a culminating conference where you will demonstrate your learning by giving a 10-minute conference presentation based on your culminating paper or report. The culminating conference is an online or hybrid event usually held in April.
Watch the keynote and student presentations from the previous conference in the playlists below.
BA in Public Health conference presentations
MPH conference presentations
Past conferences
More videos from previous years of the culminating conference are available on our YouTube channel.