College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Catalog 2016

128 M.S. in Cross-Disciplinary Studies Degree Plan: 33-36 credits hours Fall (September) Winter (January) Summer (April) Year 1 MACS 5310: Introduction to Systems Theories MACS 5400 Interdisciplinary Writer Concentration Elective MACS 5200: Research Design MACS 5020: Theories & Philosophies of Conflict and Peace Concentration Elective MACS 6130 Practicum I Concentration Elective Concentration Elective Year 2 MACS 6160: Practicum II Concentration Elective Master’s Thesis (if applicable) Portfolio Master’s Thesis (if applicable) Graduation and Celebration Practicum To complete the M.A. in Cross-disciplinary Studies, students must complete a total of 130 hours of practicum. Students are responsible for documenting practicum hours, and must have these hours verified and signed by an on-site supervisor. The practicum experience is designed to provide students with an experiential opportunity to utilize theory and methodology within a diversity of professional settings. Students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts within a practical framework. Practicum I and II provide a community placement for the student to develop and refine practitioner skills. Using the Practicum experience, students have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts within a practical framework under the supervision of an on-site supervisor. The Department will work with students to establish a placement suited to each student’s interests, if possible. Please consult with the Department for detailed information. During each term and at every Residential Institute, one or more Practicum Advising sessions are scheduled. Students who have not yet registered for practicum courses are encouraged to attend these sessions. Students may also seek individual in-person or telephonic appointments with the Department for assistance with practicum placements. Please visit http://CAHSS.nova.edu/programs/macs/resources.htm for the Practicum Handbook and forms. Final Portfolio Project In addition to successfully completing all course work, and obtaining the required practicum hours discussed above, MACS students must choose between two options as a final project at the end of the Program, the thesis or the portfolio. At the completion of the project, students will be awarded the M.A. in Cross-Disciplinary Studies. All classwork, practicum hours, and final portfolio/thesis must be completed within five years. The portfolio draft must be submitted to the Department electronically as should any future required drafts. Once approval is received, the final portfolio should be printed with named tabs separating the sections. It should be preferably coil bound, but may be spiral bound if exceptionally large. The portfolio project is designed to demonstrate the cross-disciplinary perspective students acquired and honed in the program. Students will use the portfolio to present what they