Practicum Information

Student Manual (pdf) Faculty Mentor Manual (pdf) Site Supervisor Manual (pdf)

A practicum is an opportunity for you to experience what it will be like working in the field of your choice.  The practicum will provide you with experiential learning, and the chance to affirm your future career choice. Employers today are looking for college graduates with both education and experience.

Practicum course experiences at Mountain State University serve as a central component of our career-focused degree program. Prior to enrolling in the practicum, you will complete prerequisite courses specific to your degree program. Your practicum experience will provide you with an opportunity to translate classroom theory into practice under the guidance of qualified professionals within your chosen field of study.

The student assumes a proactive role in finding and securing a practicum or internship site in an area relevant to their degree program. By participating in a practicum, you will begin to build your credentials, establish professional contacts and references, and increase your employment opportunities upon graduation. Practicum opportunities are available at many area organizations, as well as, businesses outside of West Virginia.

What is a Practicum?
A practicum experience provides for the application of classroom theory in a workplace environment.  It reinforces competencies learned throughout a student’s academic progression, such as;  analytical skills, research processes, problem-solving and interpersonal dynamics.  Students have the opportunity for degree-related work experience to promote insight about contemporary issues in their chosen career field.  Thus, a practicum can serve as a “job preview” and assist the student in career development based on personal observation instead of relying solely on varying media resources.  Practicum experiences aid students by building resume content, practicing interview techniques, enhancing job search strategies, and developing professional networks.

The practicum is a unique experience that does not reflect the regular format of a classroom course.  Instead, comprehensive written assignments and performance evaluations measure how a student has applied their talents, efforts, and other resources towards the practicum.  This provides feedback to the University on the quality and advantageous benefits students receive from the practicum opportunity.

Practicum experiences provide flexibility with regard to enrollment as students can complete the experience in increments of 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 credit hours.  Forty work hours are equivalent to one credit hour toward the practicum.  Every student will select a Faculty Mentor with experience in their major field of study. This mentor will provide guidance throughout the practicum experience in such areas as answering questions and addressing student concerns.

*A Note for International Students*
In order for international students to work off-campus under Curricular Practical Training, an affiliation agreement must be in place between the University and the practicum site (at the business you want to work). If there is not an affiliation, students’ registration may be held up because an international student cannot begin working at this location. Students may want to seek an organization that has an existing agreement or work on campus. An affiliation agreement is a legal document that formalizes the academic partnership of the University and the practicum site, thus helping to maintain a student’s immigration status while working in their career field. The Career Services & Practicum Center submits all requests for affiliation agreement to the University’s legal counsel which may take 2-6 months to be finished.

Practicum Course Proposal
A practicum course proposal describes, in narrative format, the guidelines, goals, duties and responsibilities of the student while working at the practicum site.  Course proposals must identify learning and performance objectives in your major field of study,  as well as; explain the reasoning behind selecting this particular business. Activities at the practicum site that will enable achievement of goals and objectives in the proposal must also be descriptive.  A new practicum course proposal must be submitted for each practicum site.

Practicum Course Proposals must be written by the student in their own words, regardless if another student has the same practicum site and job duties. Per the University’s rules of academic conduct, representing any written papers, essays, or verbal presentation that is not your own as original work constitutes academic dishonesty and is subject to disciplinary actions. 

Examples
Accounting, Environmental, Forensic

Letter of Intent
A letter of intent from the prospective business practicum site must be submitted to the Practicum Center with the course proposal.  This letter is written by the Site Supervisor on company stationery, accepting the student for the practicum, and stating the job duties and goals for the student.  Contact information for the site supervisor should include the following: Site Supervisor position and title, mailing address, phone number, and email.

Example
Letter of Intent PDF File

Daily Journal and Hours Log
A daily journal and hours log provides a record of days and hours worked, as well as describing work performed at the practicum site. Using Microsoft Word, you can create your own table for tracking hours, dates, and journal entries. See example below. This log must be signed and dated by the Site Supervisor. Hours Logs should be submitted directly to your faculty mentor.

Example
Daily Journal and Hours Log PDF File

Practicum Term Paper Requirements
The Faculty Mentor determines the content and number of pages of the practicum term paper. Students must submit this paper to their Faculty Mentor when they have finished their practicum work hours. The term paper usually consists of a critical analysis of classroom teachings as incorporated into the work environment. Students may include samples of their work. However, due to confidential information provisions, all work samples will be reviewed, and permission granted by the site supervisor prior to use in a practicum term paper. The practicum term paper should be submitted directly to your faculty mentor.

Performance Appraisal
The Faculty Mentor will receive the performance appraisal of the students’ work quality at the practicum site. A performance appraisal by the practicum site superviser promotes the professional development of a student by identifying strenghs and work-related areas that need improvement. In a permanent position, appraisals function to determine promotions, pay raises, and level of responsibility and authority. A copy of the performance appraisal should be submitted to Career Services.

Example
Performance Appraisal
Student Site Evaluation