The Catholic University of America

PROCEDURES FOR PRACTICUM 906

More Information:

Practicum Overview

Practicum Procedures

Practicum Opportunities

Practicum Comments

Practicum Coordinator:

Beverly W. Lammay
lammay@comcast.net
804-741-3710

Forms:

Enrollment Request Form(.doc)

Evaluation Form(.doc)

"My experience was exceptionally stellar." - Fall 2004 Student
Course Description: 3 credits
Through its practicum, the school offers a unique opportunity to gain professional experience in one of the many libraries in the Washington metropolitan area. Students may earn three graduate credits by working 120 hours under the supervision of a professional librarian who is not their direct supervisor at their place of employment. Hours of the practicum may be arranged at the mutual convenience of the student and supervisor. A variety of public, academic, school, and government libraries, as well as special libraries and archives, have served as practicum sites. A student may usually take one practicum as part of the M.S. in L.S. program. Further details about the practicum are available from student advisors or the practicum coordinator. Graded: Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: 551, 553, 555 and permission of advisor and practicum Coordinator.

Basic Procedures

  • Discuss with your advisor how a practicum would fit into your academic program.
  • Your advisor will also refer you to the Practicum Coordinator who will help you work out a plan. It is important that you are doing professional level work. This should be done before the semester in which you want to start your practicum.
  • When you have completed the arrangements for the practicum, submit electronically a completed "Request for Enrollment in Practicum" form to the Coordinator who will send an email to the SLIS registrar indicating the request for the practicum has been approved. A copy of this email is also sent to you, your advisor, and your site supervisor.
  • At registration, enroll in (C)LSC 906 (Practicum).
  • At the start of the Practicum work, send the Coordinator a confirmation of all contact information, a brief written description of the activities or projects on which you and your practicum supervisor have agreed, a tentative schedule of your practicum, and your goals for the course.
  • Throughout the practicum keep a reflective journal that not only logs what you have done but also allows you to make connections between the practicum experience, courses at SLIS and perhaps other work experience you have had. Each week your journal is to be posted to the Practicum online Discussion Board.
  • Midway through your practicum, contact the Practicum Coordinator to discuss your practicum and to arrange for a site visit.
  • When you have completed the required 120 hours of work, write a two-page single-spaced report describing what you have learned. It is expected that the reflective journal will be a source for this paper but be sure that this is an evaluative document. Submit this report, along with your complete journal, to the Practicum Coordinator by the date due in your syllubus.
  • At midterm your supervisor will receive an evaluation form and is asked to complete it and email it to the Coordinator at the end of the semester. A copy of the form is available, but completed evaluations are not made public so that we can preserve your privacy.

Practicum Coordinator
Beverly Lammay
lammay@comcast.net
804-741-3710