Masters of Arts students must complete a final project consisting either of writing a thesis or taking the Practicum in International Affairs course, which means a choice between the Thesis or Practice tracks. Students in “the Practice track” must take two courses - Program Development and Project Management (PDPM), and The Practicum in International Affairs (PIA). The two do not need to be taken consecutively, as PDPM is also recommended to students going on the International Field Program. So, while PDPM can be taken in second or third semester, the Practicum should be your last class at the GPIA.
The Practicum in International Affairs (PIA)
Taken in the final semester after the prerequisite Program Development Project Management, the Practicum in International Affairs (PIA), is centered around completing a project assigned by an international organization client. In conjunction with the client, the students clarify a project Terms of Reference, design an approach to the project, conduct data collection and analysis, write a report or produce some other product (e.g. brochure, manual, film). Finally, the team makes a formal presentation to the client and The New School community.
As the Practicum is the equivalent of a Master’s thesis, the project itself is substantial and significant. The course is treated as a “consultancy” rather than an internship in that we ask organizations for a specific project with an end deliverable. The project should be rigorous, challenging and difficult. To the extent possible, the course simulates a professional experience, including an emphasis on deadlines and professional standards. Projects are done by teams of two to six students, depending on the project and client.
What is the Process for Choosing a Project?
The Practicum instructor solicits projects from international organizations in the months prior to the semester, and emails a list of all projects to registered PIA students, who choose according to interest, background and future goals. Projects are assigned to teams of two to six students, so all students who have chosen a specific project then coordinate a class meeting time. Every effort is made to match preferred project and meeting time, however in some cases students are not able to work on their first choice. The selection of a project and formation of teams is done over the semester break and the first week of the semester.
The Course and Project Work
In conjunction with the client, the team first clarifies the assignment and drafts a Terms of Reference. They then usually undertake research, data collection and analysis. writes a report or produces some other final product according to the client, and presents their findings to the organization. Most clients meet the students a few times throughout the semester.
After the first week, classes are not lectures, but are rather project management sessions. Teams have a weekly meeting time with their faculty supervisor throughout the semester. The faculty supervisor acts as a project manager, meeting the students and reviewing work, and offering technical guidance as needed.
The course is not run nor projects completed as an academic exercise; the project work and final product is meant to be used by the client organization.
Past projects have included:
- Developing material for refugee and immigrant schoolchildren and conducting staff trainings for the International Rescue Committee.
- Producing a toolkit for field staff training on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse for the International Rescue Committee.
- A comparative analysis paper for Human Rights Watch on the amnesties granted in Cambodia, Chile and Mozambique.
- Research on evidence in the Milosevic trial for Human Rights Watch.
- Formulating strategy on international recognition for the state of Somaliland.
- A survey on New York City health facilities’ capacity to recognize and treat immigrant victims of torture for Doctors of the World.
- An organizational needs assessment for the Consortium for Haitian Empowerment.
- Policy and analysis papers on: universal children’s “social security” for UNICEF, equitable aid distribution to fragile states for UNICEF, human trafficking outreach for the International Rescue Committee.
- Organizing Immigrant History Week for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
- Writing a grant proposal to construct and fund a health center in Kenya for the East African Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children.
- Creation of an e-commerce site, also for the East African Center.
- Making an advocacy film on international HIV and Aids activists for the ATHENA Women’s Network.
The Final Presentation
At the end of the semester, each team develops and rehearses a formal presentation, and then presents their work and results before the GPIA community. The Final Presentation is an integral element to the Practicum, PIA. Public speaking and making a presentation are useful skills, as well as being real parts of many people’s jobs.
Professional Training
A major objective of the Practicum is to serve as a transition from academia to the professional world. For students in their final semester, about to graduate and join the work world, the Practicum is treated as a “consultancy” rather than an internship, emphasizing deadlines and professional standards for work products. Projects are substantial, rigorous and challenging, and student-consultants are expected to produce professional standards of work. Practicum project work is not academic. A work product should not be theoretical, but is produced to be used by the client in their work.
Time Commitment: Students should be in their final semester and have completed 33 credits to register for the Practicum. Clients assign the PIA substantial projects; the time needed to complete these projects is therefore significant. To be in this class and on a team, each person must commit significant time. All teams have a regular meeting outside of class, and often on the weekend. In addition, there are periods, particularly toward the end of semester, when large blocks of time are needed for completion of the project on deadline.
Students who work full time and are taking a full courseload should think about whether they will be able to meet their obligations to the project and the team. It might be better to undertake the Practicum, for example, as a single and final class, or a semester later when they might have more time. If your schedule is such that you will never have extra time and flexibility, you may want to consider writing a thesis, which can be done entirely on your own schedule.
Project Development and Program Management (PDPM)
A prerequisite course for the Practicum, PDPM provides students the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and skills essential to effective program development and project management. By examining the project cycle using case studies from a wide range of sectors, students learn techniques and tools – needs assessment, logical framework, strategic design, implementation, proposal and report writing, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy – used in a range of professional contexts.
Students choose a team to work on a project by sector – education, emergency relief, environment, health, human rights, income generation – and run through a typical project cycle from needs assessment to final presentation.
Students should be in their third semester or have completed 18 credits prior to registering for PDPM. Students planning to go on the International Field Program can take PDPM earlier.
For more information, email instructor Mark Johnson, johnsonm@newschool.edu
