HH/HLST 4990 9.00 Health Policy & Management Practicum | School of Health Policy & Management

School of Health Policy & Management · 91��ɫ

Turn your Health Studies degree into real-world experience.

Explore the HLST 4990 9.0 Practicum and apply what you’ve learned in a community or health-care organization. Build practical skills, connect with professionals and take your next step toward a career in health.

Check eligibility How to prepare

250+ hoursHands-on placement experience

3 weekdaysPer week during the Winter term

3 pathwaysHealth Policy, Health Management or Digital Health

Explore your practicum pathway

Choose the area that best matches your interests and planned coursework. Each pathway has specific prerequisites and corequisites, so review the requirements carefully with your academic advising team.

Pathway 01

Health Policy

Explore how health systems, public policy and social priorities shape health care and population outcomes.

Prerequisite: HLST 3110 3.0

Pathway 02

Health Management

Build experience related to health-care leadership, quality improvement, operations and system performance.

Prerequisites: HLST 3400 3.0 and HLST 3500 3.0

Pathway 03

Digital Health

Explore how digital tools, data and technology support health services and decision-making.

Prerequisites: HLST 3310 3.0 and HLST 3320 3.0.

Important: All students must have HLST 4200 completed or take it concurrently with HLST 4990 9.0. Confirm the current course plan and requirements before applying.

Are you eligible?

Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for the practicum:

Be enrolled in a BHS Specialized Honours degree.
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 7.0 in HLST credits by the end of the Fall/Winter academic session before the practicum year.
Have at least 84 earned credits by the end of that same Fall/Winter academic session.
Attend the Practicum Information Session held during the Winter term before the practicum year.
Select a pathway—Health Policy, Health Management or Digital Health—and meet its prerequisite and corequisite requirements.
Complete HLST 4200 before or concurrently with HLST 4990 9.0.

Admission is not automatic. Students must attend the information session and complete the practicum application and interview process before approval to enrol.

Practicum Application Process

The practicum application process takes place over several months. Review the stages below to understand what to expect and when you will need to take action.

Steps from information session to placement preparation
Stage	What happens	Timing
1 Information Session	Attend the practicum information session to learn about the process and requirements. Register using the link provided in the information-session flyer to receive the session materials.	Winter term, typically near or toward the end of term
2 Attestation to Apply	Complete the Attestation to Apply by the stated deadline. You will be asked to confirm that you meet the practicum's eligibility requirements.	Following the information session
3 Eligibility Review	The School reviews attestations to confirm eligibility. Students who meet the requirements are invited to complete the formal application and attend a résumé workshop.	Before the application deadline
4 Application & Résumé Workshop	Eligible students complete and submit the practicum application by the deadline and attend the required résumé workshop.	By the published application deadline
5 Application Review	Applications are reviewed. Students selected to proceed are invited to an interview. Students who are not selected are notified and provided with the reasons for the decision.	After applications close
6 Interview & Selection	Selected applicants participate in an interview. Students approved for the practicum are notified of their acceptance.	Following application review
7 Enrolment	The School receives the list of accepted students so they can be enrolled in the practicum course.	Target: before Fall/Winter (FW) enrolment begins
8 Risk Management Requirements	Enrolled students receive the required risk-management forms, documentation requirements and instructions. Students should follow the instructions and submit all required materials by the stated deadlines.	After enrolment
9 Placement Matching	The School works to secure placement opportunities for students and provides updates as arrangements progress. Placement confirmation timelines may vary.	Ongoing; placements may be confirmed as late as December

Important: The process involves several stages, and deadlines will be communicated to students at each step. Placement arrangements can take time, so students should monitor their 91��ɫ email and respond promptly to requests from the School.

Practicum Pathways & Course Requirements

Each practicum pathway is worth 15 credits. Review the prerequisites, corequisites and recommended courses below when planning your degree. Confirm course availability and requirements with SHPM before enrolling.

Practicum pathway	Prerequisites	Corequisites	Highly recommended
Health Policy Placement 15 credits	HLST 3110 3.0 Major Themes in Health Policy in Canada	HLST 4110 3.0 — Comparative Health Policy HLST 4210 3.0 — Health Care Leadership HLST 4330 3.0 — Decision Making & Decision Support One additional HLST Policy course: HLST 3510 3.0 — Poverty and Health in Canada HLST 3520 3.0 — Aging: Comparative Perspectives HLST 4130 3.0 — Public Policy and Disabilities HLST 4140 3.0 — Mental Health Policy	—
Health Management Placement 15 credits	HLST 3400 3.0 — Quality and Safety in Healthcare HLST 3500 3.0 — Quality and Operational Excellence in Healthcare: Intro to Lean Six Sigma	HLST 4210 3.0 — Health Care Leadership HLST 4250 3.0 — Measuring Health System Performance HLST 4330 3.0 — Decision Making & Decision Support	—
Digital Health Placement 15 credits	HLST 3310 3.0 — Electronic Health Record HLST 3320 3.0 — Health Database Applications	HLST 3350 3.0 — Health Data Analytics, Machine Learning and AI HLST 4310 — Analysis & Design of Health Information HLST 4320 3.0 — eHealth	HLST 4210 3.0 — Health Care Leadership HLST 4330 3.0 — Decision Making & Decision Support

Course planning reminder: Prerequisites must be completed as required, while corequisites are taken alongside the practicum as specified by the program. Highly recommended courses are not necessarily mandatory. Check the current SHPM requirements before registering.

Get ready before you apply

Plan early

Start in first or second year by tracking prerequisite courses, earned credits and your HLST GPA.

Build experience

Volunteer or work in a health-related setting if opportunities are available. A range of customer-service, teamwork and communication experiences can also help you prepare.

Prepare for placement

Approved students must complete a résumé and cover-letter workshop and required risk-management steps, including a Vulnerable Sector Check and vaccine/immunization requirements.

Plan ahead: Placement planning takes approximately six months. Summer courses cannot be used to meet the eligibility requirements that must be satisfied by the end of the preceding Fall/Winter session.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need previous health-care work experience?

Not necessarily. Relevant work and volunteer experiences can help you develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and working with the public. Review the program’s current eligibility and selection criteria.

Can summer courses help me qualify?

No. Eligibility requirements such as prerequisite courses, earned credits and GPA must be met by the end of the Fall/Winter session before the practicum year. Summer courses may help you manage your course load but cannot make you newly eligible for that cycle.

What must be completed before the placement starts?

Approved students must complete the required résumé and cover-letter workshop and risk-management requirements during the Fall term before the Winter placement, including the Vulnerable Sector Check and vaccine/immunization requirements.

When does the placement take place?

The practicum takes place in the Winter term, with three full weekdays per week during regular business hours and a minimum of 250 hands-on hours.

91��ɫ