• Graduate Programs
  • Mission Statement
  • M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling
  • M.Ed. Community Development and Action
    • Program of Studies
    • Culminating Experience
    • CDA Practicum
    • CDA Faculty
    • Recent CDA Graduates
    • CDA Student Handbook
    • Glossary of Acronyms & Terms
  • Ph.D. in Community Research and Action
• HOD Undergraduate Program
• Faculty and Staff
• Center for Community Studies
• Fieldschool in Intercultural Education
• Newbrough Graduate Award

Practicum

Supervised field experience is a critical component for the learning and development of each CDA student. The purpose of the practicum experience is to allow each student the opportunity to apply foundational community development principles and coursework and to build professional skill sets in meaningful settings. Most frequently, these experiences take place in off-campus organizational or public agency settings, but they may also take other forms. Over some summers, the Department of Human and Organizational Development offers opportunities to participate in a Fieldschool of Intercultural Education, which can also be counted toward practicum requirements with prior approval.

Practicum Requirements

CDA practicum requires a minimum of 300 hours over the course of the student's two year degree. First semester CDA students are required to enroll in HOD 3000: Becoming an Agent of Change (proseminar). Discussions about practicum placements and aid in initial contact can take place as part of this course. The instructor will assist students with determining an appropriate practicum advisor (who may or may not be the student's major advisor).

For subsequent semesters, identical requirements apply, but the timeline is abbreviated. Whether or not you remain in the same practicum placement, you must prepare and turn in required practicum documents to your practicum advisor and the HOD department graduate secretary by the second week of the semester. If you are in the same placement, you should reevaluate your role and professional development within this organization and be purposeful about what you will learn and contribute to the organization.

Year 1, Fall  --  Suggested Practicum Timeline