Overview
Practicums
The practicum allows MSCM majors practical experience in a mass communication field on campus in a supervised and educational setting. Students complete two on-campus practicums before going off campus to complete an internship. The student registers for a practicum during the appropriate registration period, attends a practicum class and reviews on-campus practicum opportunities. If the student meets the requirements and is accepted by the on-site supervisor after a personal interview, the student and the supervisor sign the job description written by the on-site supervisor and determine a work schedule. The student then brings the completed contract to practicum class no later than the second class day.
Guidelines for Students
1. The student will receive one hour of credit for each practicum completed.
2. Student may only register and complete one practicum per semester.
3. Student must be a MSCM major.
4. No more than three hours of practicum credit will be applied toward the student's major requirements.
5. Student must work a minimum of 45 hours
6. At the completion of the practicum (no later than the first day of final exams), the student will provide a written report to the practicum class professor.
This package must include:
o A written paper (minimum of 2-3 typed pages) documenting the amount of time the student spent on the practicum.
o A summary of the student's practicum activities and the student's opinion of the practicum assignment.
o Examples of work done during the practicum.
7. Student will be evaluated based on the written report, meetings, evaluations over the course of the semester and the supervisor's evaluation.
6 Easy Steps for Registering for a Practicum
1. Register for a practicum during the appropriate registration period.
2. Attend the first day of the practicum class.
3. Select a practicum site from the practicum book located in the MSCM Office (Terrell 211). Make two copies of the contract.
4. Set up an interview with the on-site supervisor of the desired practicum to determine if the practicum is appropriate for your curriculum and career goals.
5. Have one copy of the practicum contract signed by the on-site supervisor and your MSCM professor. Keep one copy for your records.
6. Turn in a signed contract and resume to your mass communication professor on the second day of the scheduled practicum class.
Practicum descriptions/contracts are available in the Practicum Books in the MSCM Office (Terrell 211) or you may download the contract as a Microsoft Word Document.
The MSCM practicum is a program organized to provide mass communication majors with practical experience in a mass comm field on campus in a supervised and educational setting. Students complete practicums on campus before going off-campus to complete an internship. The practicum also provides areas on campus with assistance in mass communication-related tasks. Due to high demand, supervisors will be limited to two practicum students per semester.
Individuals or offices interested in a practicum student for a semester should complete a practicum job description contract and return it to the MSCM coordinator. The job description must be approved by the MSCM coordinator before the area is accepted as a practicum site. The job description form should include the location of the practicum assignment, the responsibilities of the practicum assignment, the skills needed by the student, number of hours the student will be needed (minimum of 45 hours per semester) and specific times the student will be needed.
Students who have registered for a practicum will review the job descriptions and request an interview with the on-site supervisor. The supervisor will interview MSCM students and select qualified students for the practicum opportunity. After the on-site supervisor has selected a student, the student and the supervisor must sign the job description form and the student must return the signed form to the supervising faculty member. The on-site supervisor will be responsible for daily contact and supervision of the student. The supervisor will also be responsible for completing an evaluation of the student during and following the practicum experience.
A MSCM professor will meet with the student at the beginning of the semester and intermittently to monitor the practicum experience and be available to the practicum supervisor for consultation as needed. The final grade will be assigned by the MSCM professor based on meetings and evaluations over the course of the semester, the student's final paper and the supervisor's final evaluation.
On-site Supervisor Guidelines
1. The on-site supervisor will complete a MSCM Practicum Description/Contract.
2. The on-site supervisor will send the description to the MSCM coordinator for approval.
3. The on-site supervisor will interview interested candidates for the practicum position prior to the beginning of classes but no later than the first week of classes.
4. The on-site supervisor will select a student for the practicum position no later than the first week of classes.
5. The on-site supervisor will sign the practicum description and return the signed form to the student no later than the first week of classes.
6. The on-site supervisor will be responsible for daily contact and supervision of the student.
7. The supervisor will also be responsible for completing an evaluation of the student during and following the practicum experience.
Supervisor FAQ
Q. What can I expect from a MSCM practicum student?
A. Practicum students should be at least at the sophomore level and have completed the Writing for Mass Media course. They will have a basic understanding of mass media and should be able to do introductory writing projects.
Q. Are there limitations on what I can expect from my practicum student?
A. Practicum students are looking for an opportunity to apply what they've learned in class, but they are still learning. They are not go-fers; practicum experiences should not include secretarial duties or running errands that are not related to professional development.
Q. What should my practicum contract include?
A. Practicum contracts should list the types of activities that you want your practicum student to perform, the skills required to perform them and any other special requirements for the job.
For a copy of the practicum description/contract or to inquire about creating a new practicum, contact the mass communication coordinator, Mary Jean Land, via e-mail at maryjean.land@gcsu.edu
