Designing Your Program

Practicum is Emma Willard’s independent study program and offers students opportunities to enrich and extend their studies 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.

Each practicum experience is an integral part of a student’s schedule, planned with guidance from the practicum director and the student’s advisor. Final approval is given by the student’s advisor. The practicum director may consult with the appropriate department chair before granting credit. Projects can 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.

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 assistant head for 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 assistant head for 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.