University of Toronto

What is the difference between direct and indirect practice?
What is a rotational practicum?
What does it mean if my field instructors are sharing or co-supervising?

Practicum Time Requirements

What are the time requirements for the Year 1 practicum?
What are the time requirements for the Year 2 practicum?
Can I complete my practicum 5 days a week in the summer?
Can I attend practicum 2 days a week and extend it into the summer?
The practicum that I want requires me to come in on a Tuesday? Can I re-arrange my courses so that I can do this?
Will I be required to work in the evenings?
If I want to attend a workshop or conference, will it count as practicum time?

Year 1 Matching Process

How does the Year 1 matching process work?
Can I arrange my own practicum/ out of town practicum?
What are the educational qualifications for Year 1 field instructor?
I know of a great field instructor. Can I contact him/her directly?
I really want to complete my practicum at The Hospital for Sick Children. Can I contact this organization directly to see if there are any field education opportunities?

Year 2 Matching Process

How does the Year 2 matching process work?
What happens if I only get 2 interviews and other students get 3?
What happens if I don't get matched to any interviews?
What happens if I don't get my first choice?
What happens if the computer does not match me to a practicum?
Do I have to pick a practicum that matches my specialization?
Can I arrange my own practicum/ out of town practicum?
What are the educational qualifications for Year 2 field instructor?
I know of a great field instructor. Can I contact him/her directly?
I really want to complete my practicum at The Hospital for Sick Children. Can I contact this organization directly to see if there are any field education opportunities?

Practicum Policies and Procedures

Who will have access to my information?

Please visit the “Policies and Procedures Regarding Students in the Field Practicum” section of our Practicum Manual for further information: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/stupolicies.htm#Personal.

Do I need a police reference check/vulnerable sector check?

Expect that agencies that offer practica will require a police reference check/vulnerable sector check prior to commencing the practicum. Failure to pass this check may jeopardize your entry to practicum. There is a cost and time factor associated with the police reference check/vulnerable sector check. It can take several weeks, even months, to process. A delay in obtaining the results can impact the start and end date of your practicum.

In anticipation of this requirement for your practicum, it is strongly recommended that you begin this process early. You are required to complete the police check in the jurisdiction in which you are a resident.

If you are a resident of Toronto, please email the Practicum Coordinator to arrange a time for witnessing your signature on the application. The application must be mailed to the address indicated on the form with a certified cheque or money order.  The current (September 2011) fee is $16.95. 

If you are not a resident of Toronto, contact a police station in your jurisdiction to determine their requirements.

For furtherinformation about the vulnerable sector check, including recent changes, click here: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/vulner/index-eng.htm). 

Do I need to have my immunizations up to date?

Some settings, particularly health care settings, require proof of timely immunization. Clarify with your field instructor and comply with all requirements. A delay can impact the start and end date of your practicum.

What about a TB test?

Some settings, particularly health care settings, require proof of recent TB testing. Please note that, because of the staging of TB testing, this testing may take several weeks for the final results.  Clarify with your field instructor and comply with all requirements. A delay can impact the start and end date of your practicum.

Do I require a mask fitting prior to beginning my practicum?

Some settings, particularly health care settings, require a fitted mask. The cost is about $40 for the student, and the mask is certified for two years. A mask-fitting clinic is located at St. Michael’s Hospital. To register for a mask-fitting, please follow the instructions and complete the N95 Respirator Medical Questionnaire. Clarify with your field instructor and comply with all requirements. A delay can impact the start and end date of your practicum.

Do I need a car or a driver's license for my practicum?

Some settings require you to have the use of your own car and/or a driver’s license. When you are browsing for a practicum on the PAS, be sure to check if the use of your car or a driver’s license is required.

Will the Practicum Office cover expenses related to practicum requirements?

No. Please visit the “Policies and Procedures Regarding Students in the Field Practicum” section of our Practicum Manual for further information: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/stupolicies.htm#expenses .

Will I need to submit my resume?

Some field instructors may request a resume either prior to or at the time of interview.

Practicum Terms

What is the difference between direct and indirect?

A direct practicum will provide you with the opportunity to work directly with clients. For further information on direct practice, please visit the “M.S.W. Two-Year Program” section of our Practicum Manual: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/msw2.htm#direct.

An indirect practicum will provide you with the opportunity to work on behalf of clients (research, advocacy, program planning). For further information on indirect practice, please also visit the “M.S.W. Two-Year Program” section of our Practicum Manual: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/msw2.htm#indirect.

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What is a rotational practicum?

There are some field education opportunities that offer rotations. Student(s) rotate from one instructor to another (up to three instructors) within a setting. An evaluation will occur after each rotation.

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What does it mean if my field instructors are sharing?

This means that you will be supervised by two (or more) field instructors throughout your entire practicum.

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If I have no clinical experience, will I get a practicum where I am expected to do direct client work?

Generally, yes. Most direct field education opportunities do not require previous clinical experience. When you are browsing for a practicum on the PAS, be sure to check if previous experience is required before you choose it.

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Practicum Time Requirements

What are the time requirements for the Year 1 practicum?

Please visit the "Policies and Procedures Regarding Students in the Field Practicum" section of our Practicum Manual: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/stupolicies.htm#TimeExpectations.

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What are the time requirements for the Year 2 practicum?

Please visit the "Policies and Procedures Regarding Students in the Field Practicum" section of our Practicum Manual: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/stupolicies.htm#TimeExpectations.

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Can I complete my practicum 5 days a week in the summer?

There are few opportunities that are offered in the summer. Please confer directly with the practicum office if you need to complete your practicum in the summer. If you decide to complete your practicum in the summer, you will not participate in the spring matching process. In addition, you will need to consult with the Registrar’s office regarding course registration and convocation schedules.

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Can I attend practicum 2 days a week and extend it into the summer?

Yes. This can be arranged as long as the field instructor who you have been matched with is able to accommodate you. In addition, year 2 students will need to consult with the Registrar’s office regarding an extension form and graduation.

The practicum that I want requires me to come in on a Tuesday? Can I re-arrange my courses so that I can do this?

Yes. While we try to limit this from happening, due to the nature of the work and schedules of field instructors, some field education opportunities require attendance on Mondays or Tuesdays. Please contact the registrar for course schedules and to explore your options.

Will I be required to work in the evenings?

Some settings require you to work in the evening. When you are browsing for a practicum on the PAS, be sure to check if evening work is required.

If I want to attend a workshop or conference, will it count as practicum time?

You will need to negotiate with your field instructor whenever you are going to be away from practicum. You and your field instructor need to decide if the workshop/conference reflects your learning goals and is a part of practicum, as well as who is responsible for any costs. If this is the case, written evidence of the relevance to your learning objectives must be submitted to both your field instructor and faculty-field liaison.  If the field instructor deems that the conference/workshop is not relevant to the learning goals of the student, then the student must negotiate whether practicum time can be taken off and how the time will be made up. The Practicum Office has no funds to contribute towards any registration fees or other requirements.

Year 1 Matching Process

How does the Year 1 matching process work?

You will complete a brief questionnaire. The Practicum Office will match you for an interview with the field instructor(s).  You and/or the field instructor will contact the Practicum Office if this does not appear to be a viable match.

Can I arrange my own practicum/out of town practicum?

Some students want or need to arrange their own practicum. Typically this happens for students requiring a practicum outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Our policies and procedures have been designed for GTA based organizations with which we have an ongoing relationship. We also have relationships with some organizations in surrounding areas. Students seeking an out of town placement must confer with the Practicum Office and each case will be assessed individually. The Practicum Office can help to facilitate an out of town placement for organizations where FIFSW has existing relationships. The Practicum Office cannot guarantee additional placements outside of these relationships. If you are thinking about finding your own practicum:

• Confer with the Practicum Office first.
• DO NOT contact organizations/agencies/hospitals without approval from the Practicum Office
• Practicum opportunities must be approved by the Practicum Office
• Field Instructors must be approved by the Practicum Office

What are the educational qualifications for a Year 1 field instructor?

Please visit the "Field Instructors and Facutly Field Liaisons" section of our Practicum Manual: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/FI.htm#Qualifications.

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I know of a great field instructor. Can I contact him/her directly?

No. The Practicum Office has partnerships with many field instructors in the community. One of the guidelines for our partners is that field instructors do not negotiate field education opportunities directly with students. All inquires must come through the Practicum Office. In fact, often opportunities have been lost when students have gone outside this process. If the Practicum Office determines that there is no existing partnership with the potential field instructor, then students may contact those individuals directly and the practicum office will help to facilitate a match. Please see : Can I arrange my own practicum?

I really want to complete my practicum at The Hospital for Sick Children. Can I contact this organization directly to see if there are any field education opportunities?

Absolutely not. The Practicum Office has spent time building strong partnerships with many organizations in the community. These organizations are in agreement that students will not contact them directly and expect the school to enforce this. All practicum inquires must come through the Practicum Office. Often opportunities have been lost when students have gone outside this process. If the Practicum Office determines that there is no existing partnership with the organization you are interested in, then students may contact them directly and the Practicum Office will help to facilitate a match. Please see : Can I arrange my own practicum?

Year 2 Matching Process

How does the Year 2 matching process work?

The Practicum Administration System (PAS) will be used to facilitate the Year 2 matching process.

Ongoing-April 16– Field Instructors communicate their interest to the Practicum Office and update or renew their field education information.

April 9-Information session for students in the first year of the program

April 18-Information session for incoming advanced standing students

April 16 - 25– The Practicum Administration System (PAS) will be open to Students. Students will look through the field education opportunities and choose five that match their interests and specialization. The students will be able to rank these choices.

April 30 -The PAS will match Students to a maximum of 3 interviews. Field Instructors will be able to view students matched to their site for an interview. Students are expected to contact Field Instructors directly. Interviews will begin and run throughout the month of May.

May 1-May 28 – Following the interview, field instructors will input a yes or no on the PAS to the students they interviewed. Similarly, students will rank their choices post-interviews.

June 1 – Matches are confirmed by the PAS and made available for viewing.

Field instructors and students are encouraged to contact the Practicum Office at any time with questions regarding the matching process.

September 2012-Year 2 Practicum begins!

**Dates subject to change.

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What happens if I only get 2 interviews and other students get 3?

If you are matched with only 2 interviews then you can make an appointment to meet with the Practicum Coordinator. The Practicum Coordinator will work with you and try to match you to a third interview in your area of interest and specialization.

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What happens if I don't get matched to any interviews?

If you are not matched with any interviews then you can make an appointment to meet with the Practicum Coordinator. The Practicum Coordinator will work with you and to match you to interviews in your area of interest and specialization.

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What happens if I don't get my first choice?

Although the computer matching algorithm attempts to match as many students to their first and second choices, not all students will be matched with their first choice. For this reason, you are encouraged to choose five field education opportunities that meet your learning goals and expectations.

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What happens if the computer does not match me to a practicum?

If you are not matched with a practicum then you will need to make an appointment to meet with the Practicum Coordinator. The Practicum Coordinator will work with you and hand match you to interviews in your area of interest and specialization. There are many field education opportunities available after the initial round of computer matching.

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Do I have to pick a practicum that matches my specialization?

Yes. Field Education opportunities are offered for all of the specializations and most of the opportunities are applicable for more than one specialization.

If I am registered with the accessibility office, can I still participate in the matching process?

Yes. If you require accommodations at your practicum, it is recommended that you let either the practicum office or the field instructor know so that we can work together to accommodate you.

Can I arrange my own practicum/ out of town practicum?

Some students want or need to arrange their own practicum. Typically this happens for students requiring a practicum outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Our policies and procedures have been designed for GTA based organizations with which we have an ongoing relationship. We also have relationships with some organizations in surrounding areas. Students seeking an out of town placement must confer with the Practicum Office and each case will be assessed individually. The Practicum Office can help to facilitate and an out of town placement for organizations where FIFSW has existing relationships. The Practicum Office cannot guarantee additional placements outside of these relationships. If you are thinking about finding your own practicum:

• Confer with the Practicum Office first.
• DO NOT contact organizations /agencies/hospitals without approval from the Practicum Office
• Practicum opportunities must be approved by the Practicum Office
• Field Instructors must be approved by the Practicum Office

What are the educational qualifications for a Year 2 field instructor?

Please visit the "Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons" section of our Practicum Manual: http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/practicum/manual/FI.htm#Qualifications.

Back to Top

I know of a great field instructor. Can I contact him/her directly?

No. The Practicum Office has partnerships with many field instructors in the community. One of the guidelines for our partners is that field instructors do not negotiate field education opportunities directly with students. All inquires must come through the Practicum Office. In fact, often opportunities have been lost when students have gone outside this process. If the Practicum Office determines that there is no existing partnership with the potential field instructor, then students may contact those individuals directly and the practicum office will help to facilitate a match. Please see : Can I arrange my own practicum?

I really want to complete my practicum at The Hospital for Sick Children. Can I contact this organization directly to see if there are any field education opportunities?

Absolutely not. The Practicum Office has spent time building strong partnerships with many organizations in the community. These organizations are in agreement that students will not contact them directly and expect the school to enforce this. All practicum inquires must come through the Practicum Office. Often opportunities have been lost when students have gone outside this process. If the Practicum Office determines that there is no existing partnership with the organization you are interested in, then students may contact them directly and the Practicum Office will help to facilitate a match. Please see : Can I arrange my own practicum?