Practicum
Northeastern University has a long history of providing its students with practical experience in which they put the theories and skills that they learn in the classroom directly to use in work settings. Boston, with more than 120 colleges and universities within a sixty-mile radius, offers many opportunities for CSDC students to have practical experiences in various collegiate settings. The CSDC program provides students with field opportunities that will prepare new professionals for working in entry level and beginning management positions in the college student development field. These positions are offered in departments and offices, which may not directly address the academic concerns of students, but are a vital part of the social, emotional, and moral development of students.Each institution provides co-curricular support services in determined by the administration and staff of the university and the needs of the specific student population. Therefore, each practicum experience requires a variety of skills, which are discussed and developed in the Practicum Seminar. The practicum experience consists of two consecutive courses taken in the fall and spring semesters of the second year. The student must complete a 300-hour practicum to meet graduation requirements. The 300 hours should be divided into the two semesters at 150 hours per semester or 10 to 12 hours per week. Many students find their practicum experiences through referrals from classmates, colleagues, or professors. A program faculty member must approve all arrangements prior to the beginning of the practicum experience. Some students create their own practicum by contacting administrators at the institution and in the department for which they would like to work. Students are expected to stay at one site for the entire academic year. They can arrange a practicum at any site that meets their needs and interests. Current practicum functional areas:
Academic Advising
African American Center
Asian American Center
Career and Transfer Services
Dean of Students Office
Disability Services
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Center
Graduate Admissions
Greek Life
International Student Services
Registrar's Office/Transfer Advising
Student Activities
Student Affairs Research and Assessment
Student Conduct
Residence Life Current practicum institutions:
Bunker Hill Community College
Emmanuel College
Harvard University
Massachusetts College of Art
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Northeastern University
Roxbury Community College
The Community College of Rhode Island
Tufts University
UMASS Boston
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences A database is being designed in order to enable students to search previous practicum sites. This system will be in place for use in the Spring of 2008. The database is not intended to be an exhaustive list of practicum opportunities and students are encouraged to explore other sites which fit with their professional interests.