Community-Based Field Experience Placements

Placement Locations

Community-based placements are also called "Out of Area placements". These are field experience placements in rural and remote schools in Western Canada.

Field experience placements can be arranged across rural and remote areas in Western Canada. We have successfully placed Pre-Service Teachers across Alberta, rural and remote British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Nunavut, and Schools in Indigenous Communities across Western Canada. Field Experience placement requests east of Manitoba will not be considered.

Community-Based preference for admission into this program is given to students in rural and remote areas of Alberta. As field experience (practicum) placements can be arranged across Alberta, in the Northwest Territories, and in rural and remote British Columbia, students in these areas may also be considered.

Our Program

Every year, we make over 1000 community-based and Calgary and area placements in more than 80 school districts across four provinces. We have one of the largest programs in Alberta, and we are extremely proud of our pre-service teachers who represent the Werklund School of Education to all of our community and educational partners.

Q: How are Community-Based Placements are secured?

A: Community-Based placements are offered by the local school district superintendent’s and human resources offices. When securing your placement, we work closely to ensure the School District has all the information they need to secure the best possible placement.

Your Community-Based placement will be offered by the School District, based on your program, pathway, placement information form submission, residential location and placement school and partner teacher availability, subject and grade expertise, interest, and commitment to supporting our pre-service teachers.
Securing and finalizing Field Experience placements involves careful consideration and review. We appreciate your flexibility, especially with any changes regarding your placements.
Final placement decisions are made in the Undergraduate Programs in Education office and are contingent on placement availability. Preferred school divisions are not guaranteed. The Director of Field Experience reviews and confirms the suitability of every placement.

Q: Where can I be placed?

A: Field experience placements can be arranged across rural and remote areas in Western Canada. We have successfully placed Pre-Service Teachers across Alberta, rural and remote British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Nunavut, and Schools in Indigenous Communities across Western Canada. Field Experience placement requests east of Manitoba will not be considered.

Field Experience I and II placements are based on your Community-Based application address. We rely on your Placement Information Form submission to confirm your placement preferences.

Q: Where can I learn more about placements?

A: For more information about Field Experience placement considerations:

Q: What is considered when securing my placement?

A: Your Community-Based placement will be offered by the School District. When securing your placement, the following is considered:

Attention to diversity of experience
Attention to teachable subject area, program and pathway
Your placement information form submission
Your residential location and commute
Placement school and partner teacher availability
Partner Teacher subject and grade expertise, interest, and commitment to supporting our pre-service teachers

Q: When will I hear about my placement?

A: We anticipate sharing your placement details with you about one-month before the field experience starts. Planning ahead and staying in touch is important. Please check your UCalgary email regularly.

Q: Can I arrange my own placement?

A: No. Pre-arranging placements with specific schools and/or teachers is not permitted. Under no circumstances shall student teachers contact a field site regarding their placements until they have been confirmed and posted by the faculty.

Q: Can I change my placement?

A: This is not normally possible, unless a mistake has been made in the placement process (for example, you have erroneously been placed in a school that you once attended as a student).

Final placement decisions are made in the Undergraduate Programs in Education office and are contingent on placement availability. Preferred school divisions are not guaranteed.
The faculty will assign student teachers to specific schools, partner teachers and supervisors/instructors for the field experiences.

Q: Do you consider my interests and preferences?

A: Yes! When completing your Placement Information Form, we strongly encourage you to include your preferences, interests and professional and educational background. This information helps us and our educational partners choose the most appropriate placement and partner teacher for you.

Q: Are commute times considered?

A: Yes, every effort is made to place student teachers within a reasonable traveling distance from their place of residence, however, based on available school sites, this cannot be guaranteed.

While we aim to secure a placement for you within a 60-minute commute of your home, travel times could be up to 90 minutes (one-way).
Our priority is to give you the best placement possible with a focus on partner teacher availability and school willingness to host pre-service teachers. Please be advised that Community-Based Field Experience placements are made with the understanding you have access to a vehicle. We cannot make accommodations for transit in areas outside of Calgary - please ensure you are able to get to the places requested.

Q: Is my school division request considered?

A: Yes! However, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in your preferred school board/division(s).

When you complete your placement information form, we encourage you to include many areas, school boards and areas of interest in your preferences.
With this greater flexibility, we will make every effort to place you in the best placement possible!

Q: How long is each Field Experience?

A: Our Bachelor of Education students undertake 20 weeks of in-classroom practicum, or field experience, organized into four, cohort-based courses. Our Field Experience practicums are designed to ensure you have the experience you need to become an In-Service Teacher, structured to develop skills and confidence. Dates and details are available here.

Field Experience I: 2 weeks
Field Experience II: 4 weeks
Field Experience III: 6 weeks
Field Experience IV: 8 weeks

Q: Is Field Experience full-time?

A: Yes, every Field Experience is full-time, Monday-Friday participation is required.

Q: How do you use the Placement Information Form?

A: We use the Placement Information Form to understand your placement preferences!

Field Experience I and II placements are based on your Community-Based application address. We rely on your Placement Information Form submission to confirm your placement preferences.
When completing your form, we encourage you to include as many as options as possible, to avoid limiting your placement options.
For general information about the form, please visit the Placement Information Form page

Q: How do I complete the Placement Information Form?

A: For instructions on how to complete and submit the Placement Information Form as a Community-Based student, please visit our How to Guide

Q: How do I access the Placement Information Form?

A: First, you register for your Field Experience courses through the UCalgary Student Centre. You will not have access to the Placement Information Form if you have not registered for your Field Experience Course. See the Registration Guide for assistance. After 48 hours, you will have access to the Placement Information Form within the Student Field Experience (SFE) portal. Please log onto SFE here: https://sfe.ucalgary.ca. You will need your eID and password; use a desktop computer (not phone); use Google Chrome.

Q: Do I need to submit a Placement Information Form?

A: Yes, as a Community-Based student, please submit your Placement Information Form for:

Field Experience I (EDUC 440)
Field Experience II (EDUC 465)
Field Experience III & IV (EDUC 540 and EDUC 560)

Q: When do I complete the Placement Information Form?

Please complete your Placement Information Form as early as possible (the form is available in May).

If participating in Field Experience I and II in the same academic year, please complete both forms as soon as possible.
We start to secure Out of Area placements for Field Experience I, II, III & IV in May and June for the Fall and Winter terms.

Q: Who will see my Placement Information Form submission?

A: Your form submission is reviewed by UPE Field Experience staff initially. Your form submission is then carefully reviewed and considered by the Directors of Field Experience.

Please be aware that your submission may be shared with the school district, to ensure the School District has all the information they need to secure the best possible placement.
Please do not share private or confidential information in the form.

Q: What happens after I submit my Placement Information Form?

A: After you submit your Placement Information Form, the Directors of Field Experience will review your submission. The Field Experience Team and Field Experience Directors work with a variety of interested Partner Teachers and Supportive Placement Schools. The Directors of Field Experience will match you with a suitable Partner Teacher. You will have an opportunity to review this placement before it is finalized.