Professional Skills Option

Requirements

• Students must be registered in the MA program in English and Film Studies, and will need to pay for spring tuition ($1,000 scholarship may be used to offset cost).
• The placement can be flexible as to the scheduling of working hours, supervision, and practice, but it generally consists of 180 working hours over six weeks.
• Because it is a skills-based training that counts as a course credit, there is no remuneration.
• Students who wish to take the Professional Skills Option in lieu of a course must follow the guidelines below.

Schedule for Application

The list of professional skills placements is made available to students in mid-October.

Students interested in a position may apply by Nov. 13 with the following:

• A one-page letter of application outlining their interest and work experience, including volunteer work;
• A curriculum vitae (CV); and
• A ranked list of two positions preferred.

The letter and CV may be attached by email to the professional skills course coordinator and copied to the graduate coordinator. By the first week of December, students will be contacted by the professional skills course coordinator about placements that best match their expressed interest, skills and experience. Students may be asked to go for a short interview for the placement position(s) in early December. After consulting with the graduate coordinator and placement supervisors, the professional skills course coordinator will inform students of their success in obtaining placements by the end of December.

Process of Evaluation

The Professional Skills Option is evaluated on a pass/fail basis. In order to pass the course, students are required to:

• Attend their placement regularly and conduct themselves in a professional manner. (If they will be absent for a day, they will need to let their site supervisors know. If a student has to miss more than two days due to extenuating circumstances, he or she must inform the professional skills coordinator.)
• After week 3, submit a one-page report (short-answer form) to the course coordinator. The placement supervisor will also send a report to the course coordinator.
• One week after the placement ends, the student will submit a two-page (reflection) report about the work done, knowledge and experiences gained, and recommendations (if any). The placement supervisor will also send a report to the course coordinator.
• Two weeks after the course ends, the course coordinator assigns pass/fail grades.

Note: The course coordinator for the Professional Skills Option will be available during the spring term for consultation and advice.