Mission Statement
Gifted and Creative Education (GCE)
Practica and Internships
Purposes of Practica (EPSY 8710) and Internships (EPSY 9710) in the Program for the Gifted
Graduate students in the Program for Gifted / Creative Education prepare for a variety of roles including those of college or university professor, classroom teacher, coordinator of school system programs, or consultant in state departments of education. Practica/internships are designed to provide graduate students with real-life experiences in the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills and competencies gained in courses preparing them for leadership positions such as those described above.
Credit and Time Requirements
Practica (EPSY 8710) are completed at the master's and specialist levels, and internships (EPSY 9710) are completed at the doctoral level. While a minimum of six semester hours of 8710 and 9710 credit is expected at each level, it is desirable that students be involved in some research, teaching, administrative, or outreach internship or practicum experience during the entire time s/he is enrolled. Practica and internships are scheduled each semester of the academic year and the summer as appropriate.
Practica/Internship Levels
- Level One (Entry): Limited or no research / teaching / administrative / outreach experiences.
- Level Two (Intermediate): some research / teaching / administrative / outreach experiences at varying levels of responsibility, but not at an advanced level
- Level Three (Advanced): At this level, it is expected that the student is ready to engage in original projects or other activities related to research / teaching / administration / outreach.
Practicum / Internship Environments
Practicum and internship experiences for graduate students in Gifted and Creative Education may be facilitated through the Torrance Center for Creative Studies. Practicum and internship experiences may occur inside the Center or in an outside setting as appropriate to the research / teaching / administration / outreach project or activity.
Documentation of Practicum / Internship Experiences
Each student is expected to develop a portfolio that includes a complete description of each project or activity completed to satisfy practicum/internship requirements. The practicum or internship is always individualized to meet the needs and aptitudes of the graduate student. The completed portfolio, however, should reflect balanced experiences in research, teaching, administration, and outreach.
Each student is expected to keep a log describing his/her internship or practicum experience, problems, successes, and self-evaluations of progress toward meeting goals. This log should be kept up-to-date and brought to all class meetings and to all meetings with the practicum/internship supervisor.
Activities
Each student will design activities at the appropriate level with the guidance of the practicum / internship supervisor. Practica / internships may include experiences such as the following:
• Teaching gifted / creative children
• Organizing a gifted/creative education or Future Problem Solving program of a school / school system
• Presenting at a local, state, national, international convention
• Designing (or replicating) and conducting research
• Preparing monographs, articles, reports, and book chapters
• Reviewing articles or books for publication
• Providing workshops for schools, state departments, or community organizations
• Consulting with schools
• Working with governmental agencies
• Working with parent-teacher associations or parent groups
• Preparing proposals for funding
• Administering day or residential Saturday & summer programs for gifted / creative students
• Administering, scoring and interpreting tests to assess the abilities of gifted, talented, and creative students
• Assisting in the teaching of a class in the department
Practica / Internships Proposal Planning Outline
| Name | Degree Objective | ||
| Quarter | Quarter Hours | EPSY 8710 | EPSY 9710 |
| Level | |||
| Research | Instruction | Administration | Outreach |
1. Purpose/Problem Statement
2. Hypotheses/Objectives
3. Significance Statement
4. Population
5. Method/Procedure
6. Data Analysis
7. Product
8. Dissemination Plan
|
|
|
 |