EDUC 4500 StudentS

This practicum experience is an opportunity for preservice teachers to further develop teaching competencies. With the support of the mentor teacher and practicum advisor, preservice teachers will gain experience in planning and teaching lessons and units, differentiating instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students, organize and maintain a positive classroom environment, and continue to refine the skills in planning and conducting assessment of student learning. 

See the EDUC 4500 Practicum Overview for further information.

After the following deadlines have passed, students cannot register in a practicum course, regardless of the seats that may be available. Our registration deadlines exists months before the start of term in order to allow our Ed Practicum Office (CEED Centre) time to properly arrange placements for all of our students. Our practicum placement personnel work diligently to ensure that students have completed all the prerequisites, submitted the required documentation, and are placed in a suitable practicum location. We also work with a large number of practicum partners who require advance notice to be able to locate suitable practicum mentors, verify site eligibility, and provide legal documentation required for placement.

Fall Term: May 9, 2025

Winter Term: May 9, 2025

**Note: RDP typically does not offer practicums during the Spring term.

If you feel that you have extenuating circumstances, please contact edpracticum@rdpolytech.ca to discuss.

1. Confirm the course requirements for your practicum. If you are unsure if you meet the course requirements, see your Academic Planning Guide for your program. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are eligible for your practicum course. Students who are not eligible will be dropped during a routine prerequisite check. If you have not met the prerequisites for your practicum course, you will not have the necessary background to successfully complete your practicum. You will need to defer your practicum to another term. Please reach out to an Academic Advisor in our Student Connect Centre at www.rdpolytech.ca/advising to discuss. If you make any changes to your registration that may affect prerequisites, you must inform the Ed Practicum Office (CEED Centre) at edpracticum@rdpolytech.ca.

2. Submit the Practicum Request Form. After the registration deadline has passed for the term, students who are registered or waitlisted in a practicum course will be emailed (via RDP email) a Practicum Checklist, which will include the Practicum Request Form. This form is used to initiate the placement request process for your practicum. If the information that you provide in your Practicum Request Form changes between the submission deadline and the start of practicum, this may require that you postpone practicum to a later term. 

** If the information that you provide in your Practicum Request Form changes between the submission deadline and the start of practicum, this may require that you postpone practicum to a later term.   

3. Review the B.Ed Required Documents webpage for information about the different documents required for practicum and how to submit these documents to our office.

4. Review the following documents: 

   • EDUC 4500 Practicum- Getting Ready Guide

   • B.Ed Student FAQ 

   • Alberta Teachers' Association Code of Conduct

5. Check your RDP email (@rdpolytech.ca) on a frequent basis! Your RDP email (available through the Loop) is activated within 24 hours of registration in classes. If you do not have access to your RDP email, contact RDP IT Services immediately. You will receive a communication from the CEED Centre (edpracticum@rdpolytech.ca) with information regarding your placement. Students will be advised of their practicum placement a few weeks before the beginning of the placement start date. Flexibility with confirmation is required as the CEED Centre  works with a large number of division partners to determine successful placements.  

6. Carefully review the information that has been provided in the sections below in further preparation for your practicum placement.

Review EDUC 4500 Guidelines and Expectations for further information.

Please review the EDUC 4500 Professional Growth Plan.

Absences

• It is important that students keep space in their timetable to attend the placement school for the scheduled field experience. 

• Students should avoid scheduling appointments during these hours. 

• A schedule will be set between the student, the mentor teacher, and the instructor. 

• Absence concerns will be addressed with each student. Lack of attendance may impact the student’s ability to successfully complete the course. 

• Students must contact the placement school and their instructor to inform them of any absences in advance.

Snow Days & Bus Cancellations

If the buses are not running but schools are open, this means that the teachers who can get to school safely will and teachers who cannot get to school safely will not. Professional and personal judgement comes into play here for you. 

In ATA contracts, there is an expectation that teachers make a reasonable effort to attend work. Pre-service teachers may not go in, they may go in later in the day as the road conditions and weather clear up, etc. Whatever the choice is, pre-service teachers must communicate with the mentor teacher and instructor and make the best decision for their safety. 

Teacher Certification Applying for Interim Certificate

You can begin to apply for certification during the final term of your degree. Please read the steps on the website carefully to see what documents are required for application. Please note there is a fee for the application process. 

Teacher Qualification Services (ATA)

The Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS) is the agency in Alberta responsible for evaluating a teacher's years of education for salary purposes.

1. ATA Link for the Application Process

2. TQS Application

RDP Apply to Graduate 

You must apply to graduate in your final term of your degree. This step notifies the Registrar’s office that you have completed your degree. As well, doing this will allow you to ask for an early clearance letter (if needed for a temporary teaching certificate). 

• B.Ed Student FAQ

• Alberta Teaching Quality Standard

• Alberta Teachers' Association 'Taking Flight' Field Experience Support

• Suggested Language to Support Preservice Teacher Development

• ATA Online tool to support learning of the competencies

• FOIPP Form