A significant feature of our program is the practicum requirement. Unlike students in other MA programs in the humanities, our students will satisfy nearly one-third of their degree requirements (9 credits out of 30) by undertaking a practicum in an organization – an institution, program, company, agency or office – in Sudbury (or in her/his home if the student is enrolled at a distance).
Possible placements include public and secondary schools, media organizations, health care facilities, industries, as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies.
The practicum is pursued in three stages (development, placement, research paper) over three consecutive semesters (winter, fall, winter). In the development stage, the student works with the Field Supervisor to set up a practicum placement and, in consultation with an academic supervisor, develops an intellectual approach including research questions. During the placement stage, the student works for the organization, keeps a reflective journal, and meets regularly with the academic supervisor. In the final stage, the student will write a major scholarly research paper and present their results at the annual Colloquium. High-quality research papers are published online by the HUMA website.
For more information on the Colloquium and Faculty-Refereed Graduate Student Conference Publications, click on the Colloquium link to the left.