Purposes of Practica (EPSY 7710) 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 7710) 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 7710 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.
Practicum / Internship Environments
Practicum and internship experiences for graduate students in Gifted and Creative Education can be planned with students’ advisors. Practicum and internship experiences may occur inside the Torrance 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. Ed.S and M.Ed students need to complete 3 credit hours for their degree programs. M.A and Ph.D students need to complete 6 credit hours. For the Internships, M.A students are expected to clock 60 hours of experience and Ph.D students are expected to clock 90 hours of experience. 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
• Designing instrument or curricular materials