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Field Placement Guide

As part of the degree requirements for an MA in Criminology and Social Justice, the program offers two streams for in-depth learning — the Major Research Paper (MRP) and the Field Placement.

Doing a Field Placement offers opportunities to:

  • get practical experience and knowledge of current developments in the sector.
  • improve professional knowledge and skills including ‘soft’ employability skills and specific technical skills and competencies.
  • learn about organizational culture and governance.
  • develop interpersonal skills while working with diverse populations.
  • interact with professionals who can offer advice and guidance.
  • network within the sector and build contacts.
  • identify potential references.

Through the Field Placement, students will apply and test their classroom learning in settings such as:

  • Community organizations and centres
  • Government services and ministries
  • Immigrant-serving organizations
  • Schools and universities
  • Law offices and legal aid centres
  • Foundations, boards

 

 (PDF file)  Placement Guide for Students

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD PLACEMENT

Typically, a Field Placement will involve 120-hours or four weeks of full-time equivalent placement with an appropriate organization during the Spring/Summer term (May – July). All placements must be completed by the end of the Spring/Summer term in order to graduate in the Fall.

The student independently identifies a placement opportunity or selects from opportunities circulated by the Placement Coordinator. 

The Field Placement may be paid or unpaid.

 

PLACEMENT PROCESS

The process requires students to:

  • Attend four scheduled seminars held over the Fall and Winter terms.
  • Complete two online D2L modules:  Environmental Health and Safety Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention. 
  • Identify placement opportunity/ies
    •   The student identifies placement opportunity OR
    •   The student selects from opportunities circulated by the Placement Co-ordinator
  • Initiate contact and process (Letter of Introduction to the potential placement participating organization)
  • Complete requisite documentation (Confidentiality Agreement, Work Plan, insurance coverage forms)
  • Complete the 120 hours during an approved placement by the end of the Spring/Summer term (mid-August)
  • Submit a report on the placement experience
  • Present the placement experience at a post-placement symposium in August

PRE-REQUISITES FOR THE FIELD PLACEMENT

During the Winter term (January - April), students will prepare for their Field Placement.

Seminars

Students will attend four relevant seminars in the Fall and Winter terms. The objective is to prepare the students to translate academic concepts and research evidence into practice, applying these to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. These will seminars will be a mix of online courses via D2L and sessions lead by a Careers Education Officer. 

Note: Other seminars with guest speakers from the sector will be scheduled from time to time during the Winter term. Attendance at these seminars will be voluntary.
 

Vulnerable Sector Screening

In compliance with Toronto Metropolitan University policy, all students working with vulnerable members of society are required to complete a police vulnerable sector screening (VSS) before they can be part of a field placement.

Vulnerable Persons defined as: Persons who, because of their age, a disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, are in a position of dependence on others, or, deemed by the University, to be at greater risk than the general population of being harmed by persons in a position of authority or trust relative to them.

The process of applying and funding the cost of the VSS will be the responsibility of the student. The VSS must be valid for the duration of the Field Placement.

For more information, see this  (PDF file) document 

Documentation

Prior to commencing their Field Placements, students will complete and get the relevant signatures for:

  • A Confidentiality Agreement
  • Their individualized Work Plan
  • Letters of understanding for (1) the host agency and (2) the student regarding insurance coverage by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
 (PDF file)  Vulnerable Sector and Police check info

INFORMATION FOR ORGANIZATIONS & EMPLOYERS

For information for employers and organizations, check out this guide. 

 

 (PDF file)  GUIDE FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND EMPLOYERS