Academic Departments

Practicum

Faculty Policy

Courses

racticum is Emma Willard’s independent study program offering students opportunities to enrich and extend their studies at Emma Willard School through academic and nonacademic experiences available on and off campus. It provides a student the chance to individualize part of her course schedule through learning that is experiential and self-directed. Internships and courses fall under one of the following categories: arts, career exploration, college courses, community service, language study, physical education substitution, sports, and music instruction.

Projects are pursued in several ways: most common are part-time classes, internships, or other activities pursued on campus or in the Capital Region. Some students pursue practicum projects full-time through a self-designed experience, or through the Network of Complementary Schools. Visit the Network’s Web site for more information at www.netcompsch.org.

Each practicum experience is an integral part of a student’s schedule, planned with guidance from the practicum director and the approval of the student’s academic advisor. The practicum director may consult with the appropriate department chair before granting credit. Projects earn academic credit with the number of units determined by the practicum director. If applicable, the student or her parent pays instructor fees directly to the instructor.

Practicum sampling:

• Homeless shelter volunteer                                 
• Empire State Youth Orchestra
• Law intern
• Dental intern
• Veterinary intern
• Japanese and Korean
• Assisting a first grade teacher
• Figure skating
• Radio & broadcasting intern
• College courses
• Horseback riding
• Architecture
• Photography
• Riflery
• Genetics research
• Hospital volunteer
• Fencing
• Literacy tutor

A part-time practicum (one to eight hours weekly) is arranged around free periods during the day, the evening, or on the weekend. A full-time practicum involves a concentrated period of time from one to three weeks in length and may require using vacation time and some released time from classes. A student is responsible for all assignments and classroom work missed while away. The dean of academics, the practicum director, and the student’s advisor must approve a full-time, off-campus project that requires released time from classes. A student must submit a proposal to the dean of academics, no later than six weeks prior to the start of the project. Parental permission is required. All financial obligations to the school continue while the student is off-campus, and all expenses while away are her responsibility.