Psychedelic Studies

Carefully Curated Hands-On Learning

The fieldwork course and practicum course are two distinct components of the MA program, each offering unique learning opportunities and serving different purposes.

The practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply techniques and theoretical knowledge, enabling them to acquire practical work experience under professional supervision. During this period, students receive guidance to develop essential skills and competencies relevant to their field of study. It serves as a platform for students to practice the skills they aim to utilize post-graduation, catering to their individual career aspirations. There will be many different settings where students can do their placements, and these would need to be individually approved for each student, based on the recommendation of the placement committee. This process would also work to ensure in advance that the training opportunity is appropriate for the student given the student’s career goals, qualifications, and the site’s offerings.

Personal familiarity with the subjective effects and the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics is crucial, as it fosters experiential knowledge that has been shown to enhance empathy and insight into clients' experiences during psychedelic therapy. Consistent with established norms, uOttawa will require students in the MA program to participate in an experience involving non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC). While participation in a NOSC is compulsory, the consumption of psychedelics is not and an alternative is available. Students are expected to fulfill this requirement through fieldwork options that have been vetted by the placement committee. Drs. Williams and Vallely spearheaded the approval process for field sites by conducting on-site visits themselves, prioritizing firsthand assessment over secondary information. All additional sites added will first be approved by the Placement Committee.