Step 3: Next Steps

Paperwork Review & Approval

  • Documents uploaded to DC Connect will be reviewed and graded by the PPL Field Placement Officer.
  • Documents uploaded to Synergy Gateway will be reviewed by Synergy staff. Once all documents have been approved, Synergy will issue the student a stamped “ESPC Passport” advising that the documents have been approved.
  • Once ALL paperwork has been reviewed and approved, by both PPL and Verified by Synergy Gateway, and final grades from the previous semester have been processed, each student will receive an email with permission to register for their field placement course. This email will be sent before the start date for the course. *Note: If you are awaiting grades from the previous semester, they are typically posted the week before the placement course begins. You will be given permission to register AFTER the grades have been posted.

Permission to Register for Field Placement

  • Students in all placement programs will receive permission to register only when all of their documentation has been reviewed and approved by both PPL and Synergy Gateway, and final grades from the previous semester have been processed. This process takes time and your patience is appreciated.
  • Students are responsible for meeting the registration and paperwork deadlines. Failing to do so will result in forfeiting placement for the current term.

Agency Approval and Confirmation

  • Once the student has been granted permission to register for their placement, the PPL Field Placement Officer will contact each student’s placement agency host to secure the student’s placement.
  • Your patience is appreciated during this time, as this process is lengthy and many students from all programs are being placed at the same time.
  • If your agency has any questions, please have them reach out to the Field Placement Officer at pplplacements@durhamcollege.ca

Field Placement Clearance

Once the student’s host agency has been secured and/or approved, and all documentation has been received and approved the student will receive an official clearance email sent to their dcmail.ca email address. This typically happens shortly before the course start date. Please note: 

  • The approval of documents uploaded does not give you permission to begin your placement hours.
  • You are not to begin any placement hours until you have been officially cleared by the PPL Placement Officer (Students will receive an official clearance email).
  • Any hours completed prior to clearance will not be counted and must be made up prior to the course end date.
  • Clearance will only be sent to the student’s dcmail.ca email account – personal email addresses will not be used.
  • Students MUST be registered in the course in order to receive clearance.