Negotiating and Drafting a Terms of Reference and writing a Master’s Project Proposal

NEGOTIATING AND DRAFTINGA TERMS OF REFERENCE AND WRITING

A MASTER’S PROJECT PROPOSAL

April 4, 2014

MATERIALS FOR THE PRACTICUM

Access by going to

myHeller Degree Programs MA-SID Degree Program Information MA-SID First-Year In-Residence Practicum Track

WHAT YOU WILL FIND MA/SID Handbook for 2014-2015 Alternative Practicum Track – China (PDF) Alternative Practicum Track – Ghana Practicum Letter (PDF) Information for organizations hosting an

SID practicum student Important dates to remember – 2014-

2015 Practicum Approval Sheet Release & Waiver

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FIELD SUPERVISOR AND THE HOST ORGANIZATION

Provide the Terms of Reference. Oversee the student’s work during the

Practicum according to Terms of Reference.

Field supervisor should be based in the location of the student’s practicum.

Provide a mid-term (November) and final evaluation (Feb/March).

Provide students with the support necessary to implement the TOR.

GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING TERMS OF REFERENCE

An offer to host the student for a full-time practicum for at least six months between September and March.

A description of the student’s anticipated duties and responsibilities (if preferred, a job description can be attached).

A description of any support/services or compensation the organization will offer.

GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING TERMS OF REFERENCE A field advisor must be designated to

supervise the student throughout the Practicum. Please include: supervisor’s name and contact information (email, telephone, mailing address).

Any vacations or anticipated breaks in the assignment.

The TOR should be dated and written on the host organization’s letterhead.

The TOR is signed by a person of authority from the host institution.

CHANGES MUST BE APPROVED

After the signing of the TOR, any proposed

changes to the work plan, location, or field

adviser must be approved by both the

host institution and the SID Program.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MASTER’S SECOND-YEAR PROPOSAL

Master’s Second Year Proposal Packet

The Master’s Second Year Proposal Approval Sheet

The Terms of ReferenceThe ProposalThe Release and Waiver Form

FORMATTING Use the Style Guide on pp. 41-42 of the

Handbook 12 point font with 1 inch margins Single spaced with double spacing

between paragraphs (no indenting) Use footnotes sparingly Citations should be in APA Style

See examples on p. 39 and uses the resources listed in the Handbook

THE PROPOSAL

Title and summary The Development Problem or Issue Preliminary Literature Review Methods Budget Timeline Risk Assessment and Analysis List of references

TITLE AND SUMMARY

Proposed title and no more than three lines summarizing your proposed case

study

THE DEVELOPMENT PROBLEM Define Provide background Explain its importance to

sustainable development Describe your proposed case

study and how it relates to the development problem

Remember you need to cite sources using APA format

LITERATURE REVIEW Present the current thinking on the

problem Let the literature do the work Demonstrate your knowledge of the

fieldyour familiarity with important

thinkers on the subject Identify in what areas you need to

deepen your knowledge or where there are gaps

Explain how you will access the resources you need

METHODS Since your practicum will be the source

of most of your evidence, describe your host organization

What will be your role in the organization?

How will that enable you to examine the problem?

Independent primary research is not permitted

METHODS Literature review Reflecting on past experience Applying learning from your year-in-

residence Desk studies Field responsibilities and observation

BUDGET AND TIMELINE

Expenses and IncomeSee p. 25 of the Handbook Income should be equal or more than

Expenses

TimelineUse Handbook for suggested datesBe aware of required dates

RISK ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS

Physical, political, emotional, social risks

US State Department Travel Warnings http://travel.state.gov

ACE Travel Assistance Program http://www.brandeis.edu/emergency/

docs/europ-assistance.pdf www.ACETravelAssistance.com

Username/Group ID : aceah Password/Activation code: security

HEALTH INSURANCE

Unless you are going to your

home county, you must purchase the school insurance.

CPT/OPT

Not a US citizen and working for a US organization, in the US or not

must apply for CPT

Eligibility for Optional Practical Training Cannot be out of the country for more than

5 months. Doing a practicum outside the country

must either come back to the US sometime during the practicum

may do a five month practicum between September and March

apply early

PRACTICUM PROPOSAL PACKET

Practicum Approval Sheet

Terms of ReferenceProposalRelease & Waiver

QUESTIONS?