Practicum and internships: how they work
Two Ucademy programs finish with supervised hours in a real Alberta workplace. Here’s which ones, how placements are planned to work, and what hosts may ask for.
Planned approach — details are confirmed before any student starts a placement.
Supervised practicum (PRAC 1101) in clinics, physician offices and hospital units.
Administrative internship in business, non-profit and public-sector offices.
No placement — hands-on practice in browser-based labs and projects instead.
How a placement is planned to work
Placements depend on employers having space, so we cannot promise a particular site, city or start date.
- Finish the coursework firstThe placement comes after the courses that prepare you for it.
- Plan it with career servicesTalk about the kind of workplace, location and schedule that suit you.
- Find a hostWe share leads from employers who registered interest, review your resume and help you prepare. You can also suggest a workplace you know.
- Sign a placement agreementYou, the host and Ucademy agree in writing on duties, supervisor, hours and requirements.
- Complete your hoursYour supervisor signs off your hours; Ucademy checks in during the placement.
- EvaluationYour supervisor completes a short evaluation and you write a brief reflection.
What a host may ask for before you start
Set by each workplace, not by Ucademy. Some checks take weeks — start early.
- A recent police information check, sometimes with a vulnerable sector check
- Proof of immunizations, or a record of the ones you have
- Current First Aid and CPR, or a confidentiality or privacy orientation
- A resume and a short interview
Good to know
- Usually unpaid. Practicums and internships are learning placements.
- In person. The healthcare practicum is on site; remote internship arrangements depend on the host.
- Anywhere in Alberta where a suitable host is available. Smaller centres may need to travel.
- Your own employer may be possible if duties match the course outcomes, case by case.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ucademy programs include a practicum?
The Medical Office Assistant & Unit Clerk Certificate includes a 100-hour supervised practicum in a healthcare workplace, and the Administrative Assistant Diploma includes an 86-hour administrative internship. The other programs are completed online, with labs and projects instead of a placement.
Does Ucademy find my placement for me?
We help you find one: career services shares leads from employers who have registered interest in hosting, reviews your resume and helps you prepare. Placements depend on employers having space, so we cannot promise a particular site, city or start date. You can also suggest a workplace you know.
Will I need a police check or immunizations?
It depends on the host. Healthcare workplaces commonly ask for a recent police information check (sometimes with a vulnerable sector check), proof of immunizations, and sometimes First Aid and CPR. Each host’s requirements are confirmed before your placement is arranged.
Is the practicum paid?
Practicums and internships are learning placements and are usually unpaid.
Can I do my practicum at my current job?
Possibly, if the duties match the course outcomes and the arrangement is approved. This is decided case by case before the placement starts.
Planned approach. This page explains how practicums and internships are planned to work; details are confirmed before any student starts a placement.
Which programs include workplace hours
| Program | Workplace component | Hours | Typical settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Office Assistant & Unit Clerk Certificate | Supervised practicum (PRAC 1101) | 100 | Medical and dental clinics, physician offices, hospital units and other healthcare offices |
| Administrative Assistant Diploma | Administrative internship | 86 | Business, professional, non-profit and public-sector offices |
| IT, cybersecurity, software development, security analyst and business & supply chain programs | No placement in the program outline — labs and projects instead | — | Online |
Requirements are set by each workplace, not by Ucademy, and they are confirmed before your placement is arranged. Healthcare hosts in particular commonly ask for some of the following:
Some checks take several weeks to come back, so start early. If you have concerns about any requirement, talk to us before you enrol — it may affect which placements are open to you.
Prepare now
Find out how ready you are for online study with the free readiness check, compare programs side by side, or read Medical Office Assistant vs Unit Clerk to see which healthcare role suits you. Employers can register interest in hosting a student.