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 College Leadership Team
Date First Approved: October 7, 2022
Date Last Reviewed: March 27, 2025
Scheduled Review Date: June, 2027, 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 affiliated with Robertson diploma and certificate programs.
C. DEFINITIONS
Term Definition
Practicum Experience The Practicum Experience is a practical, training-related work experience in industry, business, government, and
Workforce Team
social service organizations that complements the student’s program of study
The Workforce Team includes Placement Coordinators who facilitate the placements of the practicum experience at the College.
Practicum Prerequisites Any documents or items required to be completed by a student prior to attending the practicum
Reasonable Option A practicum site is considered to be a “reasonable option” when it is recommended by the Placement 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 acknowledgement of the student
D. POLICY
Robertson College 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’s Respectful Environment policy.
1. PRACTICUM CRITERIA
1.1 The Practicum experience is a graduation requirement of each Robertson College certificate and diploma program
1.2 Programs at Robertson may have more than one practicum block required for graduation
1.3 The Practicum experience is developed and approved by Robertson College, even if procured by the student
1.4 Practicum sites are screened and approved by the College..
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1.5 Students enrolled in Business, Technology, or Community Services programs are encouraged 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.
16 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. Practicum placements for other School of Health programs are student-led and/or assigned by the College.
17 The College is responsible for providing reasonable practicum placement options to assist students in completing the practicum component of their program
1 8 Practicum is scheduled in each program, and the program schedule (including practicum) is shared with students upon enrollment
1.9 Practicum schedules are site-specific and cannot be changed without the host's agreement
1.10 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.
111 Students will engage in productive, meaningful work during the practicum experience.
112 The student will not receive financial remuneration for work performed during the practicum experience unless the host site chooses to offer compensation in the form of a per diem, honorarium, or salary.
113 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.
114 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 College 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 brought to the College's attention If a practicum location has more stringent CRC requirements (often within 6 months of the practicum period and
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typically valid for the duration of the practicum), the student will be required to obtain a CRC that meets those requirements
1.15 The student is responsible for completing practicum-related training and assessments that are required by the site and as specified by the College. Please note that assessments per program differ as outlined below in Section 2: Practicum Evaluation.
116 Students are expected to conform to the host site workplace policies, terms of employment, and site-specific requirements.
117 Students are responsible for any expenses incurred for travel, accommodation, and costs of special clothing, tools or other items that may be required
1.18 Students who repeatedly miss scheduled meetings with employers and/or damage the relationship between Robertson College and employment/practicum partners will be subject to the following policies and related consequences: Respectful Environment Policy, Graduation Requirement Policy, and Student Code of Conduct Policy.
2. PRACTICUM EVALUATION
2.1 Robertson College has the responsibility to assess the successful completion of the practicum experience
2.2 Evaluating successful completion of practicum is the responsibility of the College in collaboration with the site supervisor, preceptor, or clinical instructor.
2 3 Students who do not meet the program-specific practicum evaluation requirements will be reviewed at the Robertson Learner Review Committee The Committee will determine possible next steps. While site supervisors, preceptors, and clinical instructors inform the evaluation of the practicum experience, Robertson reserves the right to award a student a successful completion of the Practicum Checklist on a case-by-case basis.
24 For accredited or endorsed programs, summative practicum assessments specific to the program may also be required for successful completion Successful completion of each practicum assessment is required for completion of the respective practicum block
2.5 If a student does not successfully 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
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requirements, the student may be required to withdraw from the program and may apply for re-enrolment Students may also receive an extension to repeat their practicum placement at their current or a new host site if approved by the Committee and the Workforce Team. Please note that extensions are not permitted for HCA Alberta placements as per the Alberta Health Licensed Curriculum Policies.
26 Early Childhood Educator & Early Learning Child Care learners will complete a Professional Learning Plan with the Program Coordinator and may repeat one (1) block at their own cost
3. COMMUNICATION AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION
31 The Placement Coordinator is responsible for providing all required information to the site around each student practicum placement experience and serves as the site contact throughout the duration of the practicum experience
3.2 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)
3.3 The Practicum Coordinator may choose to conduct an informal mid-point check-in with the site supervisor for each student This is at the discretion of the College, as each practicum partner is unique
3.4 In the event a site has concerns about a student’s conduct or behaviour as outlined on Robertson’s Practicum Code of Conduct Waiver or Student Code of Conduct, we ask that they contact their Placement Coordinator
3.5 In the event that a site has concerns about a student’s performance or skills development during the practicum experience, as per the Skills Evaluation Checklist provided, we ask that they contact their Placement Coordinator.
36 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 Placement Coordinator within 2 business days of identifying the concern or issue
3.7 Students are encouraged to submit a formal complaint using the Student Complaint Form should they have grounds to do so
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Formal complaints will follow the process outlined in the Student Complaint Policy
E. RELATED LEGISLATION
None
F. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Practicum Evaluation Checklist(s) (specific to program)
Practicum Prerequisite Overview (Included in Program Information Courses, and Professional Learning Plans for ECE)
G. RELATED POLICIES
Respectful Environment Policy
Graduation Requirement Policy
Student Code of Conduct Policy
Student Complaint Policy
H. RELATED MATERIALS
Practicum Code of Conduct and Virus Waiver
Student Concern and Complaint Process
I. POLICY HISTORY
Change
Changes to sponsor, titles, team names
Terena Caryk
VP, Operations and Academics
Date Reviewed March 28, 2025
Policy first approved 10
Date: October 7, 2022 Practicum Education
Terena Caryk VP, Operations and Academics
Julian Hallett, VP, Workforce