Practicum in Higher Education Administration
Overview
Purpose of Practicum
The Practicum experience will provide the student with a 100 hour exposure to an area of individual interest in Higher Education Administration and allow the student to apply his/her newly acquired knowledge in an educational field setting under supervision. Part-time work experience enables individuals to organize, synthesize, and process new information in a manner that combines the cognitive, affective, and physical domains of learning. Many learners require a period of time to practice and modify both knowledge and skills; the practicum serves this purpose.
In addition to gaining insight regarding the operation of a functional area of higher education, practicum students should also gain a view of the interrelationship of associated functional areas. Professionals in higher education must be cognizant of such relationships in order to understand the nature of an institution. Finally, the practicum may serve to generate, develop, and refine skills in program development, administration, research, and other aspects of higher education.
Selecting a Practicum
The selection of an appropriate practicum site is important. Care should be exercised to ensure an optimal site placement, which will both inform and challenge the student’s ability. The prospective practicum student should be aware of expected duties and responsibilities of the position as well as opportunities for education and growth. The site will be selected by the student after a conversation/meeting with a prospective site mentor. Once both parties come to an agreement, the student will seek site approval from the practicum coordinator.
The Contract
Although practicum may be similar in it’s basic objectives and goals, the methods of accomplishing the associated tasks will vary. Therefore, an integral aspect of the practicum is the generation of the contract. This is a statement comprising the following two elements: (1) an agreement regarding the duties, objectives, and obligations of both student and practicum site; and (2) the set of tasks and experiences the student will undertake in order to meet the basic objectives. The proposed contract provides guidelines that serve as the criteria for evaluating the practicum experience, subject to approval by the student, the site mentor, and the university practicum coordinator.
Expectations
The Student will
- design and develop a list of objectives.
- seek and secure a practicum site and mentor.
The Site Mentor will
- meet with the student and review his/her objectives.
- supervise the student and work/tasks.
The Practicum Coordinator will
- approve the practicum site.
- approve learning objectives.
- visit the practicum site, student, and mentor.
Ethics and confidentiality
Clear professional ethics are essential. Students will seek out and read the professional codes of ethics for their specific work site and should seek out and read the institutional codes of ethics contained in handbooks, catalogs, on-line, etc.
Confidentiality is a key to free and frank discussions. Matters discussed in student groups or with faculty which stem from events in practicum sites will be held in confidence and will not be discussed outside of these venues. It is vital that mentors be aware that matters stemming from work in practicum sites will be discussed with the students and faculty concurrently involved in the practicum experience.
Attendance Policy
As the practicum is both experiential and interactive, it is important that students attend both scheduled hours at their practicum placement, and all meetings with their site mentor and practicum coordinator. However, it is understood that events may occur that prevent the student from attending the practicum or a meeting. If this does occur, it is imperative that the student contacts the practicum coordinator as soon as possible.
Time commitments
Students are expected to dedicate 100 hours to their practicum. Hours may be accrued in a variety of ways, for example, attending meetings, working on projects, conducting research, participating in events, etc.
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