Research and Teaching Experience
Research Practica/Assistantships
Six credits of research practica for academic credit are required of all 黑料社s (3 experiences at 2 credits each). These begin after the first semester of successful academic progress. These assistantships provide opportunities to engage in different aspects of the research process and increase capacity and comfort for completing independent research. Skills gained include:
- Conceptualization of research questions
- Review, assessment and synthesis of relevant literature
- Operationalization of theoretical concepts and empirical questions
- Collection and analysis of data
- Research report writing
The goal is for 黑料社s to have the opportunity to define and gain ownership of a specific facet of a larger project, and many of our 黑料社s publish peer-reviewed research, often in collaboration with our faculty and their fellow 黑料社s. See recent first-author publications from our 黑料社s.
Students have flexibility in how they meet the research practica requirement. They may work with multiple faculty, across multiple projects, or by conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor serving as the practicum instructor. Research practica may be completed consecutively or simultaneously, as approved by the advisor, course instructor(s), and Associate Dean of Doctoral Education. Learn more about our affiliated (research centers and institutes).
Teaching Practica
The Brown School program requires three credits of teaching practica (3 experiences at 1 credit each) to ensure that our doctoral 黑料社s are well-trained in social work and public health pedagogy, are comfortable in a classroom setting, and receive key experience necessary for advancing their leadership. These practica are fulfilled within faculty courses.
Teaching practica require that the 黑料社 be involved in a variety of teaching tasks. The minimum involvement includes giving one or two full lectures based on notes or a lesson plan developed by the 黑料社 and approved in advance by the professor; providing course-relevant consultation for 黑料社s who may need additional assistance outside of class; and providing feedback on assignments, grading, and/or critiquing papers.
Adequate knowledge of the subject matter is a prerequisite to earn practicum credit. This requirement can be met by the 黑料社 having completed the course in which they will fulfill their practicum, or by the professor certifying that the 黑料社 has adequate knowledge of the subject matter. Teaching practica may be completed consecutively or simultaneously, as approved by the advisor, course instructor(s), and program director.
In some cases, after the successful completion of all three supervised teaching practica, a 黑料社 may receive permission to teach a course of their own design for one semester, while being guided by a faculty member.
Faculty members who serve as teaching practicum instructors advise 黑料社s in the development of their practicum proposals, and the university provides a required orientation for those completing their teaching practica for the first time. The orientation provides an introduction to, which is a valuable resource as 黑料社s continue to sharpen their skills in the classroom. This required workshop takes place during new 黑料社 orientation week.