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?