We are currently accepting postings for January to April 2025 practicums. Positions can be fully virtual/remote, partially virtual and in-person, or fully in-person. To fill out a proposal form or to learn more about the process, contact the Indigenous Health Program Coordinator at mphih.dlsph@utoronto.ca.
Timelines for Practicums
Below is a suggested timeline for potential sites. The hiring process may revise depending on existing site policies and public health restrictions. Students and preceptors are recommended to complete the hiring process by the end of November for a January practicum start.
Important Deadlines for Upcoming Winter (January to April) Practicums
We have students who are looking for*:
- 16-week practicums (560 hours minimum, 35 hours a week) – i.e., January 2, 2025 to April 25, 2025
* These are suggested timelines. They may be revised to accommodate the needs of students and preceptors. However, we recommend referring to the DLSPH Sessional Dates and Deadlines to ensure all hours are completed before grades must be submitted.
Activity |
Deadline Date |
|
Submit a practicum posting using the Practicum Proposal Form to the Program Coordinator. Information to be included: contact information, tasks, responsibilities, pay (if applicable).
|
At least 3 to 4 months before the practicum start date (e.g., submit posting in August or September for a January start date).
|
| Inform student of potential practicum opportunities. | Ongoing |
| Develop agreement among the University of Toronto, host institution of the practicum placement site and the student to support a practicum placement. | Fall 2024 for a January 2025 start date. |
2 Practicum Cycles: General Overview
| Practicum | Timeline | Credits and Hours | Students’ academic preparation |
|
Winter Practicum January to April (16 weeks) |
May to December: Submit practicum opportunities September to December: Recruitment process |
2.0 FCE for a 16-week practicum 560 hours minimum at 35 hours per week |
Students would have completed 2 full semesters of classes. Click here for MPH Indigenous Health course requirements. |
|
Summer Practicum May to July or August (12 weeks) |
Practicums are mostly student-driven, where students are responsible for finding their own practicum outside of our internal database. Optional practicums do not need to be related to Indigenous health. September to April: Submit practicum opportunities January to April: Hiring and interview process
|
1.5 FCE for a 12-week practicum 420 hours minimum at 35 hours per week |
Practicums for MPH-IH Students
The Master of Public Health in Indigenous Health (MPH-IH) program was designed to enhance the knowledge and competencies of students interested in advancing Indigenous health and wellness. In the MPH-IH, students learn about Indigenous health issues from multiple perspectives and stories, guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community and faculty. Drawing upon Indigenous pedagogies and approaches, students participate in activities in the classroom, in the community and on the land. The program offers elements of health promotion, Indigenous health and well-being, and community engagement. Training in Indigenous theory, policy, and research methods is provided to enable students to pursue careers in health promotion, Indigenous health organizations, and public health research.
We anticipate that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations will benefit from working with the MPH-IH students as they have an intermediate level of knowledge about Indigenous peoples, history, and current issues. Through the practicums, MPH-IH students will gain experiences in applied settings in public health, social work, justice, legal, research and clinical settings. This will foster spaces for students to translate knowledge and competencies from the classroom and land-based activities into practice, especially as seen through the social determinants of health.
Minimum requirements for practicums
- 16-week practicum is required to be completed at an Indigenous organization, site or department, or with an Indigenous health topic at its focus.
For More Information
Student Placement Policies at the University of Toronto
Frequently Asked Questions
Application and Hiring Process
What is the process for recruiting and hiring a student for a practicum placement?
To recruit an MPH-IH practicum student, preceptors must first contact the Program Coordinator at mphih.dlsph@utoronto.ca to express their interest. Preceptors will receive an informational package and have the opportunity to ask any questions. Preceptors will then submit an MPH-IH Practicum Posting Form to the Program Coordinator by the suggested submission deadline. Postings will be shared in the internal MPH-IH Practicum Database on an ongoing basis. Students will apply while following the application process described in the posting.
Recruitment Process
After submitting a posting form, preceptors are recommended to maintain ongoing communication with the Program Coordinator. Preceptors may begin the recruitment process at their earliest convenience, including before the application deadline. However, we suggest preceptors inform applicants regarding the status of their application within 2 weeks of receiving the application and/or following an interview.
What should I know before recruiting a practicum student?
The hiring process for a practicum student may vary. Key considerations include:
- Will it be a paid practicum?
- Will there be accommodations for housing or travel?
- Is there workplace insurance coverage?
- What activities will the student work on?
What is the recommended pay for practicum students?
The recommended stipend is $20 to $24/hour or around $11,200 to $13,440 for a 16-week (560 hours) practicum.
The recommended stipend is $20 to $24/hour or around $8,400 to $10,080 for a 12-week (420 hours) practicum.
This is a request to help students with tuition and increasing living costs in exchange for high-quality work. It is not a requirement of the practicum program. We recognize that not all agencies are able to pay students, but anything that you can offer (e.g. travel and moving expenses) would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to offer an unpaid practicum or one with a stipend, an organization-level student placement agreement should be in place before a student can begin. Please contact the Program Coordinator at least 1-2 months before the student’s start date to begin to placement agreement process.
What is the process for unpaid practicums?
Unpaid practicums include practicums paid through a stipend or without workplace insurance coverage. Additional documentation is required for unpaid practicums. A Student Placement Agreement must be in place before the student’s start date. This agreement between the University and host institution of the practicum placement is necessary to provide both the University and its student, as well as the practicum placement site, with clear expectations of rights and responsibilities while a student is engaged in unpaid activities with a placement site as a condition of their academic program.
A Letter to Placement must be signed, which informs the placement site of how students are covered by workplace insurance and confirms their responsibilities to create a safe working environment, and inform the University of any workplace accident or injury.
A Student Declaration must also be signed. The letter demonstrated the student’s understanding of their responsibilities and confirm that their personal information will be disclosed to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) and WSIB or Chubb.
For more information, please visit the Office of Vice-Provost, Students.
Am I guaranteed a practicum student if I submit a posting?
No.
All available practicum opportunities are shared with the students. Because of their diverse areas of interest, we cannot guarantee that all supervisors will end up with students. The majority do but not all.
I am interested in hiring a student but I do not work at an Indigenous organization. Am I still able to submit a posting?
Yes.
Students are required to complete a 16-week practicum at an Indigenous organization, site or department, or with an Indigenous health topic at its focus. Students can also complete an optional 12-week practicum at any organization of their choosing. Please contact the Program Coordinator at mphih.dlsph@utoronto.ca for more information.
A student reached out to me about completing a practicum. However, I did not submit a practicum posting to the internal database. What are my next steps?
The student and/or preceptor are recommended to contact the Program Coordinator.
During the Practicum
What are the MPH-IH Core Competencies?
The MPH-IH is guided by the following set of core competencies, derived from a synthesis of the literature on competencies in Indigenous health from around the world. One of the most important core competencies for students and practitioners in Indigenous health is to demonstrate Indigenous self-determination and sovereignty by fostering space for Indigenous peoples, leaders, groups, organizations and nations to take the lead in health policy and programming for Indigenous health and well-being using a trauma-informed lens.
Cultural Safety
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of Indigenous health in a historical context and analyse the impact of colonial process on Indigenous health and well-being outcomes;
- Integrate culturally safe practices into all Indigenous public health policies and/or programs;
- Demonstrate a reflexive public health practice in Indigenous health contexts;
- Engage in trauma-informed communication, policy, and practice when working with Indigenous people, communities, groups, organizations, or leaders.
Theories & Methods
- Analyse key comparative health indicators for Indigenous people through a specific First Nations, Inuit or Métis lens;
- Demonstrate knowledge of range of theories involved in Indigenous health, public health practice and health promotion with an emphasis on Indigenous-led/created theories;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the social, cultural, political, environmental, spiritual and economic conditions and structures that are interconnected and influence the lives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada and Indigenous people globally;
- Apply Indigenous values and principles in the context of roles and responsibilities of working with Indigenous peoples and organizations.
Needs Assessment
- Identify behavioural, social, environmental, organizational, cultural, spiritual, emotional and political factors that promote or compromise Indigenous peoples’ health and well-being;
- Use community-based or community-led participatory methods with Indigenous peoples as part of the assessment process;
- Integrate cultural safe practices and ethically appropriate assessment approaches;
- Critically collect, review and appraise data, information and literature with an Indigenous lens to inform action (i.e., policy, program, services);
- Work collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, groups and/or organizations to identify strengths, assets, needs, and existing resources and assist with action-based research or activities.
Program Planning and Implementation
- Describe a range of Indigenous interventions and strategies available to address public health issues;
- Use current literature, models, theories, and systematic approaches for planning health promotion or well-being action at individual, community, nation, and societal levels;
- In collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, communities or organizations, develop, pilot and use appropriate resources and materials;
- Monitor the cultural sensitivity and viability of the implementation process in relation to Indigenous goals and objectives
Research and Evaluation
- Build relationships with First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis partners, communities, or organizations for participatory action approaches to evaluation and research;
- Identify and analyse key indicators related to Health Canada’s social determinants of health as well as the Indigenous social determinants of health;
- Use Indigenous statistics, health surveys and epidemiological data in evaluation and research, where possible;
- Conduct both process and outcome evaluations of interventions with Indigenous people using appropriate indicators within available resources.
Health Education & Communication
- Communicate, through a variety of mediums, the health status, demographic, statistical, programmatic and scientific information agreed upon with Indigenous Peoples or stakeholders;
- In collaboration and partnership with Indigenous Peoples, prepare and present information, resources and materials that are appropriate, sensitive and tailored to community characteristics and are strengths-based (when possible).
Community Development
- Use culturally safe interpersonal communication and group-work skills to facilitate individuals, groups, communities and organizations in efforts to act on health issues;
- Nurture relationships with Indigenous people, leaders, organizations, nations and groups to ensure that actions are Indigenous-led and created;
- Engage in dialogue with Indigenous people, leaders, organizations, nations and groups based on trust, honesty, humility, and respect.
Partnerships and Collaboration
- Establish and nurture linkages with Indigenous people, leaders, organizations, nations and groups;
- Understand Indigenous leadership, team building, negotiation and conflict resolution skills required to build community and stimulate collaboration on health and well-being issues;
- Engage First Nations, Inuit and Métis or other Indigenous Peoples in decision-making in all levels related to Indigenous health and well-being.
Policy Development and Advocacy
- Describe the health, economic, administrative, legal, social, and political implications of policy options in a Canadian and international context;
- Write clear and concise policy statements with an Indigenous lens/frame;
- Understand the requirements for advocacy of Indigenous policy change at local, community, organizational, national and international levels;
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct socio-political analysis of health and social issues using an Indigenous lens and being aware of Indigenous worldviews of interconnectedness and wholism.
What documents do I need to complete with the practicum student?
- Learning Framework Contract – This outlines the expectations and responsibilities during the practicum.
- Supervisor Midterm Evaluations – This is completed at the midpoint of the practicum.
- Supervisor Final Evaluations – This is completed near the end of the practicum.
The Program Coordinator will contact preceptors with the forms at the beginning, middle, and near the end of each practicum.