In-Field Experience
The KRLS 493 In-Field Experience
The KRLS 493 In-Field Experience is replacing the traditional, historical 455-hour practicum, offering a more flexible, agency-based, and student-designed opportunity to connect your academic learning with real-world practice.
If you began your first year in KSR in Fall 2024, this course is now a key part of your degree. It's normally completed in your fourth year after taking KRLS 290, and it helps you apply your knowledge in a supervised, hands-on environment that aligns with your professional goals and interests. Students engage in placements of up to 180 hours across clinical, private, community, or research settings, exploring diverse career paths in the Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation fields.
Key Details of KRLS 493
Through the KRLS 493 In-Field Experience, you will:
- Engage directly with an agency, organization, or program related to your professional interests.
- Gain experience across diverse settings, including clinical, private, community, and research opportunities.
- Apply classroom theories and concepts in an authentic, professional setting.
- Build professional and interpersonal skills required for the modern workplace.
- Reflect on your professional identity, strengths, and growth through structured feedback and mentorship.
These agency-based experiences are co-created between you, the agency, and the instructor, fostering practical skill development and professional growth.
Placement Hours and Term Options
Students enrolled in KRLS 493 – In-Field Experience complete up to 180 hours of agency-based experiential learning. The hours are spread differently depending on the academic term:
Spring, Fall and Winter Terms (13-Week Experience)
Placements completed during the Spring, Fall or Winter terms follow the regular academic calendar. Students typically spend 12 hours per week at their agency over 13 weeks, balancing their placement alongside coursework.
This schedule allows for sustained engagement and ongoing reflection with the agency throughout the semester.
Example: 180 hours ÷ 13 weeks ≈ 12-14 hours per week
Spring Term (6-Week Intensive)
Students may also choose to complete KRLS 493 during the Spring term as an intensive experience.
In this model, the same 180 hours are completed over approximately 6 weeks, requiring a higher weekly commitment.
Students should plan for 30 hours per week of on-site or virtual engagement with their agency.
This condensed structure allows students to immerse themselves fully in agency life, projects, and mentorship within a shorter timeframe.
Flexibility and Agency Coordination
The exact scheduling of hours is determined collaboratively between the student and the agency supervisor, ensuring the experience aligns with both the agency’s operational needs and the student’s learning goals.
Hours may include a mix of on-site, community-based, or virtual activities, depending on the nature of the placement.
Information for Agencies
Looking for a dedicated in-field experience? Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSR) students reach out to agencies one term in advance with their résumé and cover letter for their academic, unpaid, 180-hour In-Field Experience. Agencies choose students and set the schedule. Find your next team member!
Creating a Self-Initiated In-Field Experience
Students in KRLS 493 have the opportunity to design and arrange their own In-Field Experience by identifying an agency that aligns with their academic interests, career goals, and availability. This self-initiated model allows you to take ownership of your learning and build professional connections in areas that matter most to you.
Important Note: Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Affiliated Agencies
Do not contact Alberta Health Services (AHS), Covenant Health, or affiliated hospitals directly for your placement. These highly competitive clinical placements have a specific approval process. Direct student outreach can compromise established partnerships.
If interested, you must contact the Experiential Learning Lead at ksrpract@ualberta.ca early for eligibility and next steps.
Steps to Identify and Attain an In-Field Experience*
*For all non-AHS related fields and placement agencies.
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Indicate Your Intention to Complete an In-Field Experience
At the beginning of each term, a call-out will be sent to all third and fourth-year KSR students asking who intends to complete their In-Field Experience (KRLS 493) in the upcoming term.
If you plan to complete your placement, you must respond to this call-out to confirm your intent. This helps the Experiential Learning Lead and the KSR Experiential Learning Team track interest, provide guidance, and ensure enough time for agency connections and approvals before the term begins.
Once your intention is submitted, you can begin planning and developing your self-initiated experience, starting with identifying your learning goals and researching potential agencies.
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Clarify Your Goals
Before contacting an agency, take time to reflect on:
- What populations, programs, or professional settings interest you?
- What skills or experiences do you hope to develop?
- How does this placement fit within your broader academic and career pathway?
Your goals will guide your outreach and help you explain why you’re interested in a particular agency.
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Research Potential Agencies
Explore community, clinical, private, or research organizations related to Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation.
Look for agencies that:
- Offer mentorship and learning opportunities
- Have professionals working in roles you aspire to
- Can provide a safe, supervised, and meaningful experience
Agencies may include recreation centres, sport associations, fitness or wellness programs, rehabilitation or clinical settings, municipal departments, or research teams at the University of Alberta.
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Make Professional Contact
Once you’ve identified an agency, reach out professionally.
Your initial email should:
- Introduce who you are (e.g., “I’m a KSR student completing an In-Field Experience course – KRLS 493.”)
- Explain what the In-Field Experience is and the typical time commitment (180 hours over 13 weeks)
- Express how your interests align with the agency’s work
- Attach your résumé and a short cover letter
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Discuss the Details
If the agency is interested, set up a conversation or interview to discuss:
- Your learning goals
- The types of tasks or projects you could contribute to
- Expected hours per week and overall schedule
- Supervision, safety orientation, and communication expectations
This is also the time to confirm that the agency has a designated supervisor who can oversee your experience and complete evaluations.
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Confirm and Submit Paperwork
Complete a CampusBRIDGE In-Field Confirmation Form to keep the Experiential Learning Lead informed of your placement details. This form ensures that your agency information, supervisor contact, and proposed schedule are recorded and that the Faculty can support you throughout the placement approval process.
All placements must be approved by the Experiential Learning Lead before any hours are counted toward the course requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions for students
KRLS 493 is intended for fourth-year students in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation who began their degree in Fall 2024 or later.
You must have completed KRLS 290 (Career Exploration and Interpersonal Competency Building) before enrolling.
Students complete up to 180 hours in their In-Field Experience.
These hours can be spread over 13 weeks during Fall or Winter, or completed in a 6-week intensive model during Spring/Summer.
You will set your schedule in collaboration with your agency supervisor.
You should begin exploring potential agencies one term before you plan to take KRLS 493.
| Term | Reach out to agencies by | Complete interviews by | Confirm placement by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (Sept–Dec) | June 15 | June 30 | July 15 |
| Winter (Jan–April) | October 15 | October 31 | November 15 |
| Spring (May–June) | February 15 | February 28 | March 15 |
At the beginning of each term, a call-out will go to all fourth-year KSR students asking who intends to complete their In-Field Experience in the upcoming term. Responding to that call-out helps the Experiential Learning Team support your planning early.
No. In-Field Experiences are academic, unpaid learning opportunities.
They are designed to build your professional skills, networks, and applied knowledge under supervision within a community or professional agency.
Yes, with approval from the Experiential Learning Lead.
Some students divide their hours between two smaller placements if it supports their learning goals. Each agency must have a designated supervisor and clear learning objectives.
Possibly. If your role provides new learning experiences and meets course outcomes, it may be eligible.
However, the role must include a supervisory or mentorship component and cannot duplicate work you are already doing for pay or credit.
All such placements must be pre-approved through a CampusBRIDGE In-Field Confirmation Form.
You are responsible for initiating contact, but the Experiential Learning Team can help by:
- Sharing examples of previous agency partners
- Reviewing your résumé or email drafts
- Offering guidance on professional outreach and communication
Email ksrpract@ualberta.ca if you would like support.
Once you and the agency agree on your placement, complete the In-Field Confirmation Form (to notify the Experiential Learning Lead).
If unexpected circumstances arise, contact your course instructor and agency supervisor immediately.
A revised schedule or plan can sometimes be arranged, but you must remain in communication to stay on track for credit completion.
Yes. You are required to log your hours and have them verified by your agency supervisor.
You’ll use Canvas logs (as outlined in your course) to record all activity.
That’s okay — KRLS 493 is designed to help you explore possibilities. Think about your long-term interests in clinical practice, sport management, recreation leadership, health promotion, or research.
You can meet with the Experiential Learning Lead for help identifying agencies that match your interests.
For all questions about placements, forms, or eligibility:
Email: ksrpract@ualberta.ca
Experiential Learning Lead
Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
University of Alberta