Many graduate programs require that students finish either a practicum or a thesis to qualify for a degree. Programs like counseling, education, and nursing have different types of practicums, so be sure to check the plan of study for your program of interest to confirm what you will need to do to complete your degree.
There are benefits to both of these paths, and this post will discuss them to help you decide which option is best for you.
Practicum? What's that all about?
A practicum is a semester-long project that the prospective graduate signs up to complete. They work with faculty and an on-site supervisor to complete the work in a set amount of hours. The practicum should provide the opportunity to apply the concepts and theories learned by the student in the graduate program. Once completed, the student should be able to demonstrate the knowledge learned in the project by presenting a final project, often a paper or a presentation, highlighting what they worked on and accomplished, and what they’ve learned as a result.
I think I'd like to do a thesis, but what is it?
A thesis is a research project that focuses on a research problem the student has been interested in studying throughout their graduate career. Students often begin to formulate the idea for the project early on in their graduate career and work closely with faculty to develop it. It often takes several semesters worth of research and writing to complete.
So what are the benefits of either option?
There are benefits to pursuing either one of these options. A practicum often can give a graduate relevant professional experience through resume building or networking. However, those considering advancing onto a PhD will find a thesis to be more appealing. The work that goes into a thesis could result in a scholarly publication, which would be very beneficial to students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree.
The Applied Communication program offers both practicum and thesis options and advisors will gladly help the student figure out which is the best educational path for them. For more information, contact an academic advisor today.
