Fieldwork - student information

At Douglas College, we believe in ‘learn by doing’. It is this ideology that provides the framework for the BPEC Fieldwork courses, whereby students are paired with mentors in the community. Placements provide students with the opportunity to observe, assist, dialogue on issues and network with experts in the field.

Fieldwork Sites can be in, but are not limited to:

  • Elementary schools - with a teacher teaching PE, with teacher coaching in a school setting, or with a generalist teacher in the classroom.
  • Secondary/Middle schools - with PE specialist, with teacher coaching in a school setting or with a teacher in the classroom.
  • Sport organizations - which have “recreation-level” athletes and/or who have “elite- level” athletes.
  • Private or public recreation facilities that provide group or individual programming.
  • Non-profit organizations that provide group or individual programming. 
  • Physiotherapy practices with physiotherapists or rehabilitation programmers.
  • Fitness and/or Kinesiology sites with programmers or leaders.
  • Strength and Conditioning sites with coaches and/or trainers.
  • Athletic Therapy sites with therapists.

Do students choose where they do their Fieldwork Placements?

The Placement Coordinator and Faculty Fieldwork Supervisor work with the student to come up with personalized fieldwork plans. Students can have direct input on their fieldwork placement, i.e. type of environment, geographical location and site supervisor selection. Students are welcome to bring suggestions to the coordinators. It is important for students to understand that self-chosen sites are not guaranteed. They must be vetted by both the Placement Coordinator and the Faculty Fieldwork Supervisor.  

Fieldwork Course Requirements

Fieldwork Courses

  • Each student must complete the following Fieldwork Courses, in order: SPSC 2101, SPSC 3101, SPSC 3201, SPSC 4101. If you are a 3rd year entry student, please see the Fieldwork Course 'flowchart' for course order. It is located on the office door of the Placement Coordinator and the Faculty Fieldwork Supervisor. 
  • Each student must complete one fieldwork placement in their 2nd year of study, two in their 3rd year, and one in their 4th year. 
  • Each student must attend four on campus seminars scheduled throughout their fieldwork experience to help tie theory to their practice. 
  • Each student must complete a variety of assignments. Assignments require students to complete work, discuss their completed work and obtain feedback from their site supervisor, pertaining to the student's work and/or performance. 

Fieldwork Placements

  • We recommend that students who are seeking careers in teaching complete a minimum of two Physical Education/Teaching placements and one Coaching placement. The remaining placement can be chosen to suit the needs of each student.
  • We recommend that students who are seeking careers in kinesiology/physiotherapy/athletic therapy related fields complete a minimum of two placements with a physiotherapist/kinesiologist/athletic therapist and the remaining placements working with unique populations (e.g. adaptive sport). 
  • We recommend that students who are seeking careers in health promotion/recreation/leisure/sport administration complete a minimum of two placements with recreation commissions/city or community recreation/non-profits. The remaining placements should be with unique populations (e.g. adaptive sport, inner-city programs).
  • Each student must complete a minimum of 25 hours of participation in the field, during either September to December and/or January to April. Summer placements can be requested on an as-needed basis.

Fieldwork Administration

Each student must have an active First Aid and CPR certification and a satisfactory Criminal Record Search on file in the Douglas College Sport Science Department; this will enable students to lead and interact with vulnerable populations (e.g., school-aged children, patients etc…). First Aid and CPR certification must be obtained by an accredited trainer in Canada. Proof of First Aid and CPR Level B or C Certification must be submitted to the Sport Science Department via email or in person (Office N1331) upon commencement of the degree program. 

During their time in our Program, students are personally responsible to check expiry date of their First Aid and CPR Level B or C Certification and to be recertified if required. Proof of recertification of First Aid and CPR Level B or C Certification must be submitted to the Sport Science Department via email or in person (Office 1331). This recertification will allow BPEC students to be placed at fieldwork sites, to continue to work with K-12 students/athletes and to meet the graduation requirement of having an active First Aid and CPR at the time of graduation.

Acceptable First Aid Courses

The following courses are offered through the Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Ski Patrol Program, and Vida First Aid Training.

1. Emergency First Aid with CPR Level B or C: Learn how to recognize and respond to emergencies until professional help arrives. This one-day course walks the student through treatments for critical interventions such as airway, breathing and circulatory emergencies. This course also covers shock, burns, poisonings and emergencies relating to sudden illness including heart attack, strokes and seizures.

2. Standard First Aid with CPR Level B or C: The Standard First Aid Workplace course provides the latest in workplace First Aid and CPR. This course is two days or 16 full hours and includes emergency response principles, adult airway, breathing, circulatory emergencies and treatments. This course also provides thorough delivery of WCB standard treatments for illness, disease and the required documentation.

Other First Aid Certification Courses: The Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching degree program at Douglas College will accept certification from any first aid course with at least 6 hours of contact time and Level B or C CPR certification only. For example, National Lifeguard Society (NLS) training provides more than sufficient equivalencies.

If you are unsure whether your current CPR or First Aid Certification counts, please contact the Placement Coordinator. 

NOTE: First Aid certification offered through online courses will not be accepted.

Fieldwork Evaluation

There is no Douglas College Faculty visitation at the site and therefore it is a student-led course with the Site Supervisor monitoring performance. Evaluation of Fieldwork is competency-based. If the student has met all competencies they earn a 'Mastery' (MAS) grade. Unsuccessful students earn a 'Non-Mastery' (NM) grade. A ‘Mastery’ Grade for Fieldwork must meet the following criteria: a) 25 supervised hours on site b) 70% on all Assignments c) Mastery Grade on the Site Supervisor Final Evaluation and d) Attendance at all seminars. 

NOTE: The Site Supervisor’s Final Evaluation and the Fieldwork Faculty Supervisor’s evaluations of assignments combine to result in the student’s final grade: Mastery (pass) or Non-Mastery (fail). 

Fieldwork Awards

Fall Semester Placements: Gord May Memorial Fieldwork Award of Distinction

This endowment was first established by the Coaches Association of BC (Coaches BC) and Douglas College to recognize their longtime partnership and support of the Douglas College Sport Science Department, students, and faculty. In 2013, viaSport BC took over operation of Coaches BC and the fund was renamed in memory of Gord May, a long time champion of coaching students and the person responsible for establishing the original award with Douglas College. There are three monetary awards: one to a 2nd year student, one to a 3rd year student, and one to a 4th year student. Only students who complete Fieldwork in the Fall semester will be eligible to receive this award. Winners of this award must be nominated by their Fieldwork Site Supervisor. BPEC students will be nominated only if they meet the following criteria: 1. They were genuinely interested in their Fieldwork opportunity and program learning; 2. They showed great initiative and enthusiasm while on Site; 3. They interacted very well with students and staff; 4. They showed potential for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th year student; 5. They would be someone you would consider hiring in the future.

Winter Semester Placements: Difference Maker Fieldwork Award of Distinction

A Difference Maker is “an ordinary person who makes a positive change in the lives of others. A Difference Maker can accomplish extraordinary things simply by thinking and acting beyond [their] interests.”  (Rick Hansen Difference Maker Program). Nominate your BPEC student only if they meet the following criteria for a Difference Maker: 1. They took an active role in your site; 2. They demonstrated a capacity to contribute to positive social change in your site; 3. They demonstrated social responsibility; 4. They provided a helping hand to others, demonstrated leadership qualities, sought out leadership opportunities, and positively impacted those around them.

How do I get more information?

Anna Schachner, Fieldwork Faculty Supervisor 604-527-5895 Email