Community Placement Experience

Extend the walls of the classroom with practical experience in the workplace.

Master valuable competencies through experiential learning which will help you make a successful transition to the workplace.

Through a Community Placement Experience (Practicum-HES 401), students are exposed to real-world situations. Approximately 80 students complete the 40-hour requirement in the community each term (Summer, Winter, and Winter II).

Each practicum student is required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on or shadowing volunteer work with a health-related organization.  A supervisor from the organization works with the student to determine their role/tasks/responsibilities for the practicum. Placements are available on a limited basis in:

  • Clinical rehabilitation settings with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, kinesiologists, chiropractors, diagnostic technicians, dentists and dieticians.
  • Sports organizations with physiotherapists, athletic trainers, physicians and strength and conditioning specialists
  • Public and private educational settings with elementary and secondary students
  • Fitness/sport and rehabilitation organizations working with individuals with special needs
  • Health promotion settings with non-profit organizations
  • Fitness organizations with exercise professionals
  • Sport administration settings

Admission of students to the Community Placement Experience will be on a competitive basis. Students are accepted each year based on compatibility with interests of potential supervisors and community supervisor availability. Details and application information are typically sent out directly to students throughout the year, including information on deadlines. Students must meet the following requirements to apply:

  • Fourth-year standing;
  • Completion of the pre-practicum requirements (see below).

Pre-practicum requirementS

Practicum is available in each term (Sept.-Dec., Jan.-April, May-June).

  • Held the term prior to the term you plan to take HES 401
  • If unable to attend, and you would like more information about the course, schedule a meeting with Rebecca: rebecca.frechette@ubc.ca  
  1. Purchase UBC Student Accident InsuranceLinks to an external site. – $7.00 cost
  2. Criminal Record Check (CRC) – $28.00 cost
  3. Current CPR-C Certification (for in-person practicum only) – submit proof (picture or scan of card/certificate) to hes.undergrad@ubc.ca

Student & Community Contact

Rebecca Frechette
Email: rebecca.frechette@ubc.ca
Office: ARTS 333