Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many practicum placements do students complete?
Please see the Practicum Schedule page for specific information about the practicum placement schedule for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology students.

Can I contact a site/facility directly in order to arrange a practicum placement?

No, the Clinical Coordinators at SCSD arrange and confirm all practicum placements within Canada. If you are interested in completing a placement at a particular site/facility, please contact the Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology Clinical Coordinator at SCSD to discuss your options.

I volunteered with an Audiologist/Speech-Language Pathologist in the past and he/she offered to supervise me in a future practicum placement. Should I contact them about upcoming practicum placements?
No, the Clinical Coordinators at SCSD are responsible for arranging and confirming all practicum placements within Canada. Clinical educators and placement sites prefer to receive practicum placement requests via the Clinical Coordinator.  Students are not to contact or arrange practicum placements on their own; this includes direct contact with potential clinical educators or sites via phone, email, or face-to-face conversations, as well as indirect contact whereby the student’s family or friends discuss the possibility of a practicum placement with potential clinical educators or sites. If you are interested in completing a practicum placement at a particular site, please contact the Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology Clinical Coordinator at SCSD to discuss your options.

Can I complete a practicum placement outside of Canada?
Yes, it is possible to do this in some circumstances. Externship placements (final practicum placement in the 3rd year of study) outside of Canada will be considered when a student, in good academic standing, has an interest in completing a placement in a country where educational models and professional certification are equivalent to Canadian standards. Students will be responsible for all travel and accommodation costs associated with the placement, as well as medical and liability insurance, post-placement site evaluations, and all procedures related to immigration. If you are interested in completing an international practicum placement, please review section 4.0 in the Clinical Practicum Handbook and contact the Clinical Coordinator at SCSD to discuss the process.

Am I able to complete my internship placement (2nd year summer placement) outside of Atlantic Canada?
No, all Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students complete their first intensive practicum placement within Atlantic Canada.  If you are interested in completing a practicum placement outside of Atlantic Canada, please speak to the Clinical Coordinator to discuss placement possibilities for the externship placement in the winter term of 3rd year.   

Will I have to leave Halifax or travel to complete my practicum experiences?

Yes, it is extremely unlikely that all practicum experiences can be completed within the  geographical area of Greater Halifax and Halifax County.

Am I responsible for the costs associated with practicum experiences?
Yes, students are responsible for all costs that are associated with any of their assigned practicum placements including, but not limited to, travel and living arrangements.

Are there opportunities to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations during practicum placements?
Yes, a number of practicum placement sites in Canada offer students the opportunity to work with clients from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. If you are interested in completing a placement with culturally and/or linguistically diverse populations (e.g., First Nations and Indigenous clients, Francophone clients, etc.) please contact the Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology Clinical Coordinator at SCSD to discuss potential practicum site locations.