SCHOOL OF HEALTH POLICY & MANAGEMENT · YORK UNIVERSITY
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.
250+ hours
Hands-on placement experience
3 weekdays
Per week during the Winter term
3 pathways
Health 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.
| 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 91ÑÇÉ« 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
Ready to take the next step?
Attend the Practicum Information Session to learn about the application, interview and approval process. If you are planning ahead, review your courses and eligibility with SHPM before the session.