PRACTICUM EDUCATION POLICY
Classification: Academic
Responsible: Students, Clinical Instructors, Workforce Team members (including Placement Team Members), Practicum Site Preceptors and Site Supervisors
Executive Sponsor: Vice President, Operations and Academics
Approval Authority: Robertson Policy Review Committee
Date First Approved: October 7, 2022
Date Last Reviewed: March 30, 2026
Scheduled Review Date: June 2028, or as needed
A. PURPOSE
The Practicum Education Policy defines the necessary roles, responsibilities, and procedural requirements for the successful and safe execution of all practicum education. Its primary goal is to maximize the student’s application of theoretical knowledge, facilitate the attainment of essential professional competencies, and ensure a seamless transition into the workforce, thereby supporting the student's career success
B. SCOPE
This Policy applies to all practicum experiences included in licensed diploma and certificate programs at Robertson.
C. DEFINITIONS
Term Definition
Practicum Experience The Practicum Experience is a practical, training-related work experience in industry, business, government, and social service
organizations that complements the student’s program of study. Practicum Experiences may also be called Clinical Placements or Clinical Blocks.
Practicum Assessments Specific tasks designed to evaluate progress, understanding, and skills
Practicum Evaluation A formal evaluation of a student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world, clinical, or field-based environment.
Workforce Team The Workforce Team includes Practicum Coordinators (placement facilitation) and Career Advisors (career support)
Practicum Prerequisites Any documents or items required to be completed by a student before attending the practicum.
Reasonable Option A practicum site is considered to be a “reasonable option” when it is recommended by the Practicum Team as being industry relevant and within a 100 km radius of the student’s city of residence This radius may be extended as needed with the student's acknowledgement.
D. POLICY
Robertson is responsible for ensuring that practicum experiences are high-quality, relevant educational experiences that support the teaching and learning objectives of Robertson programs. All students enrolled in practicums are protected under and must adhere to the College policy
1. PROGRAM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
11 Successful completion of the Practicum Experience is a graduation requirement of each licensed Robertson College certificate and diploma program
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1.2 Licensed programs at Robertson may have more than one practicum required for graduation
2. APPROVAL FOR PLACEMENT
21 Robertson College approves all practicums, regardless of whether the student finds the placement themselves.
2.2 Practicum sites are screened and approved by the College. Programs with specific site licensing requirements are approved by the Practicum or the Program Coordinator.
2.3 Robertson encourages students enrolled in Business, Technology, or Community Services programs to be involved in the search for a practicum site that meets the site selection requirements and aligns with the job profile of the program in which they are studying The College verifies that the host site provides a meaningful, high-quality professional environment with a qualified supervisor to mentor the student and to ensure the business is legitimate, safe, and insured.
2.4 The College prescribes practicum placements for students enrolled in the following School of Health programs: Health Care Aide Alberta, Health Care Aide Manitoba, Nursing Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant, and Pharmacy Technician These placements are assigned once per student, per practicum.
Practicum placements for other School of Health programs are student-led and/or assigned by the College and facilitated through partnerships and centrally coordinated processes.
2 5 The College is responsible for providing reasonable practicum placement options to assist students in completing the practicum component of their program
3. SCHEDULE AND ATTENDANCE
31 Practicum Experiences are scheduled in each program, and the program schedule (including practicum) is shared with students upon enrollment
3.2 Practicum Experience schedules are site-specific and cannot be changed without the College's approval and the host's agreement
3 3 The Practicum Experience is a full-time commitment as prescribed by the site. Full-time hours range from 35 to 40 per week, typically 5 days per week, with a minimum of 7 hours per day The hours are set for each licensed program, and completion of those hours in accordance with the Attendance Policy is required
34 Students will engage in productive, meaningful work during the Practicum Experience.
3.5 The Practicum Experience is primarily unpaid; however, host sites maintain the discretion to provide financial support via a salary, honorarium, or per diem This is the decision of the site; Robertson is not responsible for placing students in paid placements.
4. PREREQUISITES
4.1 Prerequisites for the practicum will be confirmed during the practicum placement process Students are to provide all required practicum prerequisite documentation no later than one week before the start of their practicum Associated costs are the student's responsibility.
4.2 In general, students who apply for and receive a criminal record check (CRC), with vulnerable sector inclusion, within 6 months of starting their program at Robertson will be able to use that CRC for the duration of their program (not to exceed 2 years) If a student is convicted of a criminal offence while studying at Robertson College, the conviction must be reported to the College. If a practicum location has more stringent CRC requirements (eg obtained within 6 months of the practicum period and typically valid for the duration of the practicum), the student will be required to meet those requirements
5. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
5.1 The student is responsible for completing practicum-related training and assessments that are required by the site and as specified
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by the College. Please note that practicum assessments for each program differ, as outlined in Section 6: Practicum Evaluation
5 2 Students are required to comply with the host site workplace policies, terms of employment, and site-specific requirements.
5.3 Students are responsible for any expenses incurred for travel, accommodation, and costs of special clothing, tools, or other items that may be required.
5.4 Students who repeatedly miss scheduled meetings with employers and/or damage the relationship between Robertson and employment/practicum partners will be subject to the applicable policies noted below and related consequences
6. PRACTICUM EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENTS
6.1 Robertson has the responsibility to assess the successful completion of the Practicum Experience
6 2 Evaluating the successful completion of the Practicum Experience is the responsibility of the College in collaboration with the site supervisor, mentor, preceptor, observer or clinical instructor Decisions regarding the successful completion of the Practicum Experience are the College's decision To ensure an objective assessment, students may not be supervised or evaluated by a family member or relative; an arms-length professional must sign all evaluations and timesheets to avoid any conflict of interest.
6.3 Students who do not meet the program-specific practicum evaluation requirements will be reviewed by the Robertson Learner Review Committee The Committee will determine the implications and decision regarding the student’s status in the program. While site supervisors, mentors, preceptors, observers, and clinical instructors inform the evaluation of the practicum experience, Robertson reserves the right to make the final decision regarding successful completion of the Practicum evaluations or checklists.
6.4 For accredited, endorsed or affiliated programs, summative practicum assessments may also be required for successful completion of the Practicum Experience. The specific requirements and criteria for
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successful completion of the summative practicum assessments are provided in the respective practicum courses
6 5 If a student does not complete their practicum (or practicum block), their file will be sent to the Learner Review Committee for a decision In some instances, due to regulatory requirements, the student may be required to withdraw from the program and may apply for re-enrolment Re-Enrollment costs will apply Students may also receive an extension to repeat their practicum placement at their current or a new host site, provided the Committee and the Workforce Team approve it. Please note that extensions are not permitted for HCA Alberta placements as per the Alberta Health Licensed Curriculum Policies.
66 If a student in the Early Childhood Educator & Early Learning Child Care Programs does not complete their practicum, learners will complete a Professional Learning Plan with the Program Coordinator and may repeat one (1) block at their own cost.
7. COMMUNICATION AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION
7.1 The Practicum Coordinator or Program Coordinator is responsible for providing all required information to the site for each student’s practicum placement experience and serves as the site’s contact throughout the duration of the practicum experience
72 Students in all programs will receive program-specific information regarding their practicum and required prerequisite documentation Students can also find program-specific practicum information in their Program Information Course (PIC).
73 The Practicum Coordinator may choose to conduct an informal mid-point check-in with the site supervisor for each student. If a site has concerns about a student’s conduct, behaviour (as outlined in Robertson’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy) and/or performance, or skills (as per the Practicum Evaluation Checklist), the site is to contact the Practicum Coordinator. Students who have concerns regarding their practicum site, supervisor, or experience are required to communicate their concerns directly to the applicable party and notify their Practicum Coordinator within 2 business days of identifying the concern or issue. Practicum Education Policy Page 6 of 9
E. RELATED LEGISLATION
None
F. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Practicum Evaluation Checklist(s) (specific to program)
Practicum Prerequisite Overview (Included in Program Information Courses}
G. RELATED POLICIES
Respectful Environment Policy
Graduation Requirement Policy
Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy
Student Complaint Policy
Student Appeal Policy
Student Disciplinary Action Policy
Student Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy
H. RELATED MATERIALS
Practicum Prerequisites Documents (vary per program)
I. POLICY HISTORY
Change
Changes made to the format, categories, removal of the practical project option, updates to team names, and an appendix for ECE/ELCD Professional Learning Plans
Terena Caryk VP, Operations and Academics
Scott Murray, VP, Growth
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2026
Changes to sponsor, titles, and team names
Terena Caryk
VP, Operations and Academics
Date Reviewed March 28, 2025
Policy first approved 10
Terena Caryk
VP, Operations
and Academics
Julian Hallett, VP, Workforce
Date: October 7, 2022