NEW! Practicum positions in inclusion, coaching, dance and more.
Practicums were a valuable, hands-on experience that allowed me to connect all the classroom learning with practical skills. Picking diverse placements allowed me to figure out what population I work best with and what my interests are.
Naomi Brown
Bachelor of Kinesiology
Gain course credits and professional experience by taking a practicum. It's a great way to gain insight into a potential career path and start building a professional network before you graduate. Browse more than 80 practicums listed below. Kinesiology students can complete up to three different practicum positions. Begin exploring your career options through this work integrated learning opportunity.
The following steps are required to enroll in KNES 441, 443 or 445 practicum courses.
Review the list of practicums below, and ensure you meet the position criteria.
Email the on-site supervisor listed in the position description to arrange for an interview.
Include an up to date resume
A brief introduction to yourself in the body of the email
A concise reason why you're interested in the position.
Bring the following to the interview.
A current resume
Your term schedule and any personal scheduling so you can discuss availability
The practicum application with the student portion completed. If you're the successful candidate, the supervisor will complete their portion of the application form and return it to you.
Once a practicum application is signed with an organization, students must honour that commitment.
Students must submit the completed application, along with any required documentation, to knespracticum@ucalgary.ca by the stated deadline. The advisors will review and email you to register in the practicum course. Next steps will be posted in the D2L shell. Late applications will not be permitted.
Contact the on-site supervisor starting in July.
Application and documents deadline is noon on August 29.
Complete 5 - 6 hours per week within the term.
Email the on-site supervisor starting the week of October 25.
Application and documents deadline is noon on January 2.
Complete 5-6 hours per week within the term.
Contact the on-site supervisor in late February.
Application and documents deadline is noon April 20.
Complete 10 - 12 hours per week within the term.
The kinesiology advisors must register you in the practicum course once your completed application is submitted and approved by the advising office. Late applications will not be accepted. Contact us.
"For me, as a student, with my life so structured, I felt so free and I enjoyed being with the kids, because you get to be a kid yourself. We taught kids how to move and introduced some fundamental movement skills into their lives. I made lesson plans every week based on what the kids enjoyed."
Nimra Ali - Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Distinction
Company: University of Calgary Active Living: Adapted Physical Activity for Kids (APAK) and Kid’s Adapted Climbing Series (KACS).
Terms: Fall or Winter
Program for children 4-14 years old with special needs to gain independence and health benefits.
Company: Stepping Out Program run by the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society (AAFS).
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
A recreation program for people on the Autism Spectrum.
Company: Connect Society Early Childhood Services, Belvedere Parkway Elementary School.
Terms: Winter or Spring
The program encourages a child’s whole development with emphasis on speech /language skills.
Company: Just Keep Swimming, located at Crowfoot YMCA
Terms: Fall or Winter
Assist children with mild to moderate neurological and development disabilities to become comfortable in the water and ultimately swim confidently.
Company: Monkeynastix
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provides fun and challenging physical literacy lessons at preschools, daycares and after school programs around Calgary.
Company: Getting Ready for Inclusion Today (GRIT)
Terms: Fall or Winter
Individualized early childhood education program for preschool children with accessibility considerations.
Company: Families of Alberta for Conducive Education (FACE)
Terms: Fall, Winter, Spring
Deliver programs to children and young adults with Cerebral Palsy and other neuromotor conditions. Conductive education classes are run in groups with one-on-one support offered to each participant.
Company: Vecova Aquatics Health and Fitness
Terms: Fall, Winter, Spring
Assist in the development and delivery of adaptive programs for diverse populations.
Also see the Physiotherapy section for physiotherapy/chiropractic positions.
"My practicum experience gave me the opportunity to get a better grasp of my aspiring career; not only did it allow for a more hands-on experience to interact with clients, but it has also allowed me to learn first-hand the meaningful work that professionals do for each and every person. It has harmoniously supplemented my career choice moving forward, and I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity during my undergraduate degree!"
Chelsea Lee - Bachelor of Kinesiology, 2022
Company: Balanced Health and Sports Therapy.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Family and sports-oriented clinic specializes in the multi-treatment approach for managing/preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
Company: The Vital Posture™ Clinic – National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).
Terms: Fall or Winter
Restore the appropriate biomechanical and positional relationship between the head and neck.
Company: Calgary West Osteopathic Wellness (WOW) Centre.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Uses a drug-free non-invasive manual medicine for total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework.
"In my Human Performance Lab (HPL) practicum with the Exercise Physiology MEGA lab, I supervised the collection of physiological and affective data during participant visits and maximal exercise testing sessions. I learned a great deal during my placement here as I got to see the science we discuss in KNES 373 and other exercise physiology courses come to life. I enjoyed this experience so much that I became a summer student and an Honours student in the MEEP lab and have had opportunities to work on other interesting and innovative projects. I definitely recommend all kinesiology students to look into a taking a practicum not only for the work experience, but for the growth that comes alongside!"
Timi Ajayi - Human Performance Lab, Exercise and Aging Lab practicum
Company: Canadian Sport Institute (CSI) Calgary.
Terms: Fall or Spring
Pre-screen and test athletes/test participants in the Sport Performance Lab.
Company: Clinical & Transitional Exercise Physiology (CTEP) Lab.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Fostering a healthier Canada by advancing the field of exercise physiology for the prevention and management of disease.
Company: TCR Sport Lab.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Applied testing and training centre for the general public using advanced equipment.
Company: Calgary Fire Department, Wellness Clinic.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Occupational medicine and team approach to proactive screening and physiological testing.
Company: Copeman Healthcare Canada Inc.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Complete health care including screenings and disease prevention programs.
"My practicum helped me gain practical experience that I wouldn't have had inside of the lecture room. It helped me practice 'soft skills' that I will need further down the line in my goal of going to Physiotherapy school and becoming a Physiotherapist. 10/10 would recommend!"
- Dina El Doumani, BKin in Kinesiology 2023
Company: Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA)
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
ARPA's purpose is to collaboratively (re)create healthy citizens, communities and environments, enhancing the wellbeing of Albertans. This role will focus on supporting programs and projects within recreation in Alberta.
Company: University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology
Terms: Fall or Winter
Assist the Faculty of Kinesiology's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee with workshops, working groups, and content creation.
Company: Rocky Ridge Retirement Community
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Assist in the facilitation of activities and exercises for people living with Level 4 Dementia.
Company: Ever Active Schools.
Terms: Fall only
Assists schools in Alberta to create and sustain healthy school communities.
Company: Shell Canada
Terms: Fall only
Help to create, implement and evaluate a physical activity challenge for Shell Canada employees.
Company: Heart & Stroke Foundation, Jump Rope for Life
Terms: Winter only
Promote heart health to children and youth through Jump Rope for Heart.
Company: University of Calgary Dinos Athletics
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Communicating the successes of the University of Calgary's varsity teams and athletic clubs.
Company: NSTEP (Nutrition, students, teachers, exercising and parents).
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Creates, develops and implements interactive nutrition and physical activity programs for children and communities.
Company: Healthy Dancer Canada (HDC)
Terms: Fall or Winter
Organization committed to enhancing the health, well-being, and performance of all dancers.
Company: Faculty of Kinesiology Communications, University of Calgary
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Assists the Kinesiology Communications team in creating and disseminating content for the No.1 Sport Science school in North America.
"Completing a practicum was extremely rewarding and helped me narrow down what I want to do once I graduate. It allowed me to network with amazing industry professionals and gain knowledge and confidence that I will use as I move forward with my degree and beyond."
- Rebecca Bercha, BSc. Kinesiology 2023
Company: INLIV
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Delivers premium corporate, executive and personal health services.
Company: United Active Living.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Develop and implement programs and services supporting residents for “Live Well in Our Community.”
Company: University of Calgary, Staff Wellness
Terms: Winter only
Ergonomics for employees ensuring a safe and comfortable work place.
"I can confidently say that my practicum experience has been extremely beneficial for both my academic career and personal growth. It has opened up valuable paths that will enhance my future career in medicine through the gain of practical knowledge, theoretical knowledge, and relevant connections."
- David Adriano, BSc. Kinesiology Honours
Company: Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI).
Terms: Fall or Winter
Rehabilitation & recreation programming for those with moderate to severe acquired brain injury including strokes.
Company: University of Calgary Rehabilitation and Fitness Program.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provides those with physical disabilities the opportunity to continue their rehab and fitness goals in a community setting.
Company: Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI).
Terms: Fall or Winter
Rehab programming for individuals with moderate to severe acquired brain injury including strokes.
Company: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Alberta.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provides support, service, information and advocacy to Albertans with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.
"My practicum placement was a great way to learn and be part of a field that I was already interested in. It gave me the opportunity to really understand what I was getting myself into, and appreciate it even more."
- Kevin Guan, BSc. Biomechanics, 2023
Company: Renfrew Educational Services.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Offers early childhood services and elementary education programs for children with special needs.
Company: Providence Children
Terms: Fall or Winter
Provides educational and therapeutic services to preschool aged children with disabilities.
Company: Lead Foundation.
Terms: Winter only
Work with children (and their families) who have mild speech, motor, or behavior delays, to those with more complex challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
"I helped with the planning of workouts and lead sessions with one of the teams. I learned how to program sport-specific exercises and taught them to a broad range of athletes. I gained organizational skills even with small things like the structure of a workout, but the most important outcome of my placement was the leadership experience I got from leading and interacting with athletes my age or younger, and having them rely on me as an expert."
Timi Ajayi - Vergie Speed Practicum
Company: Milk Jar Candle Co.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Milk Jar Candle Co. has partnered with Gateway & Inclusion Alberta who provide opportunities for people with disabilities to find careers, earn an income, and be valued members of their community. Students will assist the Production Supervisor in working one-on-one with staff members to help them achieve success in their roles and goals.
Company: University of Calgary, Dinos Boys Volleyball
Terms: Winter
Help organize practices, attend games, maintain statistics, work with athletes on technical and tactical skills, assist in team training and more.
Position description & application (PDF)
Company: Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association (AASSA)
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
AASSA is a non-profit provincial sport organization that works to lead and inspire Albertans through the power of speed skating for life. Working with the development team, practicum students will held assist with the testing of a web-based Starter Tool. Testing will include working with ISU, International, and Speed Skating Canada Certified Starters, and assisting with the recording of 500m and 1000m starts at World Cup events held in Calgary.
Company: WinSport
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
WinSport's Performance Training Centre houses premiere training facilities and multi-sport centres. Guests train for general health, sport performance, or competing athletics. Practicum students will observe and assist with individual, small group, or team training sessions lead by S&C coaches.
Company: X-Factory (Village Sports)
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Work with elite coaches to assist with the implementation of programming and to help supervise exercise technique for athletes to help them reach their performance goals.
Company: University of Calgary Centre for Video & Performance Analysis (CVPA) and Canadian Sport Institute (CSI) Calgary
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Learn to use technologies for data collection and analysis in the fields of biomechanics and physiology while working on ongoing projects related to improving product/athlete performance.
Company: Special Olympics Calgary.
Terms: Winter or Spring
Provides competitive and non-competitive sport and recreation programs year around for individuals with an intellectual disability.
Company: Canadian Sport Institute (CSI) Calgary.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Observe and provide feedback for training and competitive sport environment.
Company: Calgary Seawolves Polo Club.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Offers introductory water polo to new athletes ages 6-17 and trains experienced athletes at a basic level through high school.
Organization: Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association (AASSA)
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
To review and edit previously recorded dryland training sessions to create concise and effective files for coaching purposes.
Company: Brain in Motion II Study, University of Calgary
Terms: Winter
Aerobic exercise for older adults at increased risk of alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Company: Calgary JCC, recreation centre.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Non for profit recreation center that serves Calgary’s southwest community.
Company: University of Calgary, TrymGym.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Gain hands-on experience in personal training and health promotion assisting with an eight-week program consisting of exercise sessions and nutrition presentations.
Company: Edge School for Athletes/Duckett Performance Centre
Terms: Fall or Spring
Develops excellence in athletics, academics and character building.
Company: Crash Conditioning.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Develops elite hockey players from bantam age through to professional levels.
Company: Calgary Flames.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Administer training plan for Calgary Flames National Hockey League Club.
Company: ORKA Performance.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
We train a wide variety of athletes, all at different levels in their careers.
Company: RAW Sports.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Develop youth football players and prepare them to compete effectively in their respective league.
Company: University of Calgary Swim Club.
Terms: Fall or Winter
A top competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching for all ages and abilities.
Company: Vergie Speed.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Develops speed and power for hockey, soccer, basketball, ringette, volleyball and football athletes.
Company: Peak Power Sport Development.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Located at SAIT and designed for athletic training and scientific testing.
Company: Zeal Performance
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
We train a wide variety of athletes, all at different levels in their careers.
“My physiotherapy practicum experience enriched my understanding of what physiotherapists really do! There are boundless opportunities to work with patients, conduct research with colleagues, work in private clinics or elsewhere, and even educate the upcoming generation of healthcare workers. I am truly grateful for the mentorship and guidance I received during my practicum!”
- Janelle Wai, BSc. Kinesiology with First Class Honours 2021
Company: Cascade Orthotics Ltd.
Terms: Winter
Cascade Orthotics Ltd. provides clinical general orthotic management in our facility and acute orthotic care at several public hospitals in Calgary. In this role students will assist with the capture, design and creation of orthoses with digital media tools such as CAD/Cam and 3D printing with Robotic shape creation.
Company: Cascade Prosthetic Services Ltd.
Terms: Winter
Assist with patient appointments and in the creation of custom-made protheses.
Company: LifeMark Royal Oak
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Work with experienced physiotherapists, physicians, occupational therapists and sports medicine experts to treat pain, improve mobility and assist patients in returning to optimal health.
Company: Ultimate Wheelchair Sports Foundation.
Terms: Winter only
Provide adaptive sport for people with disabilities.
Company: Fortius Rehabilitation Systems.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Prescription, application, supervision and education of patients’ therapeutic exercise programs.
Company: TotalCardiology Rehabilitation and Risk Reduction Centre.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Promote heart healthy behaviours with education, counseling and intervention.
Company: Active Sports Therapy (AST).
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Treat and prevent sports injuries, repetitive strain disorders and conditions involving the joints and soft tissues.
Company: Encompass Sports Therapy.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Alleviate symptoms, reduce pain and optimize biomechanics and function.
Company: CBI Health Group.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Provide physical therapy, neck or back pain therapy, and muscular-skeletal injury, rehab and work-injury management solutions.
Company: Country Hills Physiotherapy.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Provides physiotherapy and kinesiology services to patients.
Position description & application (PDF)
Company: Equus Physio
Terms: Spring only
Assess, diagnose and treat injuries, dysfunctions and asymmetries.
Company: Lifemark Health Group.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provides physiotherapy, massage therapy and other healthcare services.
Company: Momentum Health - multiple locations
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Company: Caleo Health.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Back and spine care.
Company: Ranchlands Physiotherapy.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Provide customized rehabilitative programs.
Company: Diverse Sports Physical Therapy.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Multidisciplinary clinic that sees a wide population of varied treatment groups.
Company: LifeMark Physiotherapy Aspen
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provide customized rehabilitative programs.
Company: Sport Medicine Centre, University of Calgary.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Company: Calgary Youth Physiotherapy (CYP).
Terms: Fall or Winter
Company: Crowfoot Physiotherapy.
Terms: Fall or Winter
Multidisciplinary clinic with a wide variety of skills and areas of expertise in rehabilitation.
Company: Maximum Potential Physiotherapy - ptHealth
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provides customized rehabilitative programs.
Company: Bow View Manor.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Provides physiotherapy services at a long term care facility for seniors.
Position description & application (PDF)
Company: Alberta Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre (AOPC).
Terms: Fall, Winter and Spring
Company: JointEffort Program/GLA:D Program at University of Calgary.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Specialized pre & post rehab program for individuals with hip and or knee osteoarthritis.
Position description & application (PDF)
Company: Innovative Sport Medicine
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Multidisciplinary clinic providing expertise in effective diagnosis, comprehensive injury management and return to full function.
Company: Market Mall Physio & Chiro
Terms: Winter
The practicum student will assist their supervising physiotherapist with exercise teaching and prescription, the application of modalities, patient education and more.
“I completed a research assistant practicum in my third year of Kinesiology. This practicum proved to be a strong starting point for building my research skills and applying my Kinesiology degree. Having practicum evaluations done by my supervisor throughout the term allowed me to identify areas for improvement in that specific setting and to foster a growth mindset to achieve future success. My practicum gave me the opportunity to expand my network and cultivate future opportunities in academia (i.e. completing my honours in my last year with the same supervisor and having an amazing mentor to provide a reference for graduate school).”
Conné Lategan - Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology First Class Honours 2019
Company: Reimer Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, UCalgary
Terms: Winter
The Reimer Lab focuses on understanding the full potential of nutrition to prevent and treat chronic diseases. This position will allow a student to directly participate as a research assistant in an animal research study.
Company: University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology
Terms: Winter
The aim of this practicum is to develop a reliable and valid self-report tool for measuring health-related fitness that can use in epidemiological studies involving adult populations. The practicum student(s) will have the opportunity to engage in multiple aspects of this novel research project.
Company: WinSport
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Assist with research related to the reach, impact and delivery of programming for Newcomers, Women and Girls, Adaptive Sport and Indigenous programs at WinSport.
Position description & application (PDF)
Company: WinSport
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Assist with research on winter festivals and sporting events.
Company: WinSport
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Help develop and deliver a recommended approach for activating the WinSport brand with 'cause' elements built in.
Company: WinSport
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Assist with research on aerial courses across North America, and help the team working on the revitalization or the ski tower at Canada Olympic Park.
Company: Sport Insight, Human Performance Lab (HPL)
Terms: Fall or Winter
Company: University of Calgary Department of Clinical Neurosciences, McCaig Institute.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Work with Dr. Ranita Manocha who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Company: University of Calgary, Health and Wellness Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology.
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Company: Sport Insight, Human Performance Lab (HPL)
Terms: Fall or Winter
Company: University of Calgary, GYM (Get Your Movement), Faculty of Kinesiology
Terms: Fall, Winter or Spring
Need some advice on practicum placements? Contact us at knespracticum@ucalgary.ca
Marcus Smith’s studies in kinesiology and commerce ignite passion for developing new gear and learning how his ideas help people