Practicum
Practicum Overview:
You will bring knowing, doing and being together in Child and Youth Care Practicum courses as you work alongside children, youth, families and communities.
Our three practicum courses:
- Supervised Practicum I: CYC 211
- Supervised Practicum II: CYC 310 (year-long); CYC 311 (Block)
- Advanced Supervised Practicum: CYC 410 (year-long); CYC 411 (Block)
will provide you with the space to develop an integrated practice under the guidance of professionals within the framework of an instructor facilitated course. Each practicum draws together the learning obtained through the courses leading up to the experience.
A current Criminal Records Check (CRC) must be on file with the School of Child and Youth Care before you can begin any practicum. See the Criminal Records Check section on the Practicum Portal located in Brightspace - https://bright.uvic.ca/d2l/home.
Students with more than two years of full-time, relevant experience may request the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) course option, CYC 210A, as an alternative to a practicum placement. Students with four or more years of relevant, full-time experience may request the prior learning assessment CYC 310A course option, as an alternative for the third-year practicum. See Prior Learning Assessment for more information.
Essential Requirements for Passing Practicum Courses in Child and Youth Care
Students enrolled in practicum courses must demonstrate competence in all four professional practice areas listed below, in order to pass:
- Professionalism and ethical behavior
- Ability to accept, integrate and implement feedback
- Emotional self-regulation
- Ability to take responsibility for learning
CYC 211 is for students who have not previously completed a Human Services diploma. If you have questions regarding this, check with an advisor.
The 211 practicum is an introduction to observation and recording strategies and professional practice in the field of child and youth care. It is usually conducted in a developmental setting such as early childhood centres, after-school care settings and youth programs. Practicioners with a minimum of two to three years of relevant experience may be eligible to register in CYC 210A, a course that allows students to demonstrate their knowledge without additional field work.
Check the UVic calendar (CYC 211) for prerequisites and the SCYC website to find out when the practicum courses are scheduled.
Consider volunteering
First and second year students are encouraged to do volunteer work during their school year. The experience will enhance the learning gained in the 100 and 200-level core CYC courses. A list of volunteer opportunities may be available at your local library or volunteer centre.
CYC 310 or CYC 311 are offered in the third year of the program and provide an opportunity for students to gain new skills.
These placements will help you apply a developmental and ecological perspective to your practice before moving into a more advanced or specialized area in 410 or 411.
Relevant Information about 310 or 311:
- 300 hours with clients, coworkers and consultation with supervisors.
- Year-long placements (CYC 310) start in September and end in April and are approximately 12 hours per week.
- Block placements (CYC 311) are offered only in May until August and students are in practicum for approximately 25 hours per week.
- Check the UVic calendar for prerequisites and when the practicum courses are scheduled.
Learn about Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) if you already have extensive child and youth care experience.
The fourth year practicum is offered online in two formats:
- CYC 410, a year-long course from September to April
- CYC 411 an intensive Block course, where you complete the same number of hours as the year-long version within a single semester
Relevant Information about 410 and 411:
- 300 hours time with clients, coworkers and consultation with supervisors.
- Year-long placements (410) start in September and end in April and are approximately 12 hours per week.
- Block placements (411) are available each term and students are in practicum for approximately 25 hours per week.
Check the UVic calendar for prerequisites (CYC 410 / 411).
Many CYC students have traveled extensively and developed an interest in international child and youth care. Others have developed this interest through their course work or involvement with international agencies like the Red Cross, Canadian International Development Agency or the United Nations.
If you have an interest in international child and youth care we encourage you to develop these interests further through an international practicum. To be eligible you must have successfully completed all required and elective courses in the child and youth care program.
These practicums are only offered in a block format. They can take place in any country that’s considered safe, and where there’s access to technology (specifically email and web access). You’ll be required to do thorough research on your country of choice and the agency where you’ll be placed.
The 411 Advanced Practicum course is demanding at the best of times and, coupled with the adjustment of being in a foreign country, is an option that should only be considered by the experienced, self-motivated and skilled student who works well with minimal supervision.
An international practicum places unique demands upon the student, the most important of which is the demand to integrate learned knowledge, skills and self-awareness into a totally new setting with little time for assimilation and accommodation.
Contact cycpract@uvic.ca if you’re interested in an international practicum.
Paula Klassen and Nashira Birch have written an international practicum manual based on their international experiences – before, during and after. We hope that their journey will answer some of your questions and give you more to think about.
The application deadline for international practicums is different than other practicums. Your practicum request form, resume, and application package are due by March 15 for a January practicum, and by September 15 for a May practicum. A committee of internationally-experienced CYC faculty members will review the applications and interview each applicant before final acceptance is given.
The application package includes:
- A practicum request form (located in the CYC Practicum Portal on Brightspace)
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A letter of intent -- an essay on why an overseas practicum placement is an appropriate choice. It must include:
- a self-evaluation on what personal attributes you possess which would assist you in working internationally
- a description of relevant experiences and how they will contribute to, and enhance, your international practice;
- an explanation of how you are going to tap into the resources of the country/community you are visiting
- an explanation of how you will connect with the local knowledge
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Agency information:
- name of agency
- name of contact person/supervisor
- agency’s address, phone number, email, fax, website
- type of agency, kind of services, client, population
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Budget projection that includes:
- tuition fees and course materials
- transportation costs to and from placement
- required inoculations
- health insurance coverage
- extended/emergency health insurance for your placement
- visas for practicum placement (if applicable)
- accommodation
- daily living expenses (food, transportation, web access)
- personal supplies
- passport expenses
- other incidentals
If you’re interested in doing an international practicum, please send an email to cycpract@uvic.ca after reading the international practicum manual.