Practicum and Field FAQ

Practicum is a total of twenty-two weeks duration over two years; eleven weeks each year. Each year students complete five weeks in the fall placement in November and December; and six weeks in the winter session in March and April.

Normally students receive their practicum placements by the third week of October.

Yes, students are encouraged to contact their associate teachers and the schools after they are informed of their placements.

Students may return to their home community to complete their practicum or they may practice teach in schools within the St. FX catchment area (within one hour from St FX).

Students are normally placed in a different school for each year.

The Field Coordinator will make all necessary arrangements and contacts for field placements. Students are not to contact teachers, schools, or principals to arrange practicum placements.

Vulnerable Sector Checks are to be obtained at a police detachment. You will require a letter from the BEd department, please contact the administrative assistant. There may be a fee required which you are responsible for. VSC's are not accepted by schools if older than 6 months. Since practicum starts in November, we recommend starting the process July/August. Please note, this must be a Vulnerable Sector Check and not just a Criminal Record Check. This is especially important for anyone using an online service. We require the original check from the police, copies not accepted.

An online request can be made for this letter. (https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-child-abuse-register-search). We require the original letter from the Department of Community Services, copies not accepted.

Students will need to make their own arrangements to get to their placements. 

During the field experience period, pre-service teachers are expected to be present each day that school is in session, including days in which students are not present (e.g. professional development days). If pre-service teachers must be absent from school for the any reasons, they are expected to inform (in advance) the school administration, Associate Teacher, Faculty Advisor, and Field Coordinator. Students may be required to make up missed days. See Field Policies on attendance for more information.