Field education plays an important role in this program by preparing students to work with those affected by gender-based violence, including the communities within which they live and work. This often includes those who identify as trans and non-binary, and other disenfranchised populations.

In the fall of the accelerated program, students in field placement will engage in front-line services such as one-on-one survivor counselling, group facilitation, case management and advocacy. Placements begin in September and continue through to the end of April for approximately 400 hours. Students will often do this placement at emergency shelters, rape crisis centres, youth services, health providers and other agencies that provide front-line support to survivors of gender-based violence.

The agencies used by the program for field placements are very similar to those employing our graduates. In many instances, employers hire graduates because of contact and experience with them through the fieldwork placement. Most agencies are within Toronto, while some agencies, located in other communities such as Brampton, St. Catharines, London, Hamilton, Barrie, Pickering and Oshawa, provide students who live in those communities with placement opportunities.

Note: Some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a vulnerable sector screening completed before their field placement in semesters 3 and 4 of the program. These screenings can take up to four months to be processed, and are done to protect the clientele of these agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law. The fees for the reference checks vary and are, in most cases, paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students who are unable to provide a clear screening will be assisted in finding a placement that meets their learning needs.