University of Southern Maine

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

I think I am ready for EDU 639 Practicum. What do I need to do?

EDU 639 should be the last course you need to take before graduating from our Literacy Education Master's program, however some exceptions can be discussed. You should have taken at least 27 credits towards your degree to be eligible for EDU 639 Practicum.

Students in the Applied Literacy Education Program must take all of their required courses before taking the Practicum.

Please notify Kat Schorr at the Literacy Program office via email as soon as possible if you believe you are ready for this course. She will add you to the list, review your transcripts for eligibility, and contact you during the spring semester with more information.

I am not a student in the Literacy Education program, but I need to take a Literacy Practicum to fulfill a state certification requirement. What can I do?

On occasion, we do allow non-matriculated students to enroll, but our decision is based on, in part, how many seats are available in the course and if you have the prequiste knowledge needed to successfully participate. Please contact us and send us a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae. We will require you to come in for an interview.

When does EDU 639 Practicum take place?

The final dates for the summer 2009 EDU 639 Practicum are June 25 through July 24.The dates may be adjusted later this spring, because the dates are determined in part by the number if snow days that local school districts have and when the last day of school is for the children. Please be patient as we determine the dates. Dates for the Practicum should be finaliazed by May 2009. Students will be notified via email when the dates have been finalized.

The day of the week and time of Practicum remain standard. Graduate students attend Monday through Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm throughout the duration of the course. The children the graduate students will be tutoring attend the Workshop Monday through Thursday from 9:45am-12:15pm.

Where does EDU 639 Practicum take place, and what do I do about parking?

The Practicum always takes place on the Gorham campus of USM in Bailey Hall. The Practicum is not offered on any other campus locations.

You will need a parking tag in order to park on campus in the red-coded student parking lots. If you have a parking tag from taking USM courses in the spring 2009 semester, check to see when that tage expires before picking up a new one. You may be covered through the summer months.

To get a parking tag, you will need to fill out the Student Parking Decal Application and bring it, along with your car registration, to the Parking Office on the ground floor of the USM Parking Garage on the Portland campus. They will give you a parking hang tag to place on your rear view mirror. Make sure you do this BEFORE the first day of the course, so you won't get a ticket!

How do I register for EDU 639 Practicum?

Kat Schorr at the Literacy Education Program office will register you once your eligibility has been determined. She will contact you via email to confirm that you have been registered. Payment is due on the date of registration. EDU 639 is a six (6) graduate credit course. To make payment, contact the Registrar's Office directly at 780-5230. For information about tuition and fees, click here.

What is the dress code for EDU 639 Practicum?

We go for summer casual during the Practicum. Shoes need to be worn, but sandals are fine. No flip-flops please. The building can be quite warm so cool dresses, skirts, crop pants, walking shorts, and slacks are fine. For ladies, we try not to encourage tops that show cleavage or mid-drifts. We need people to dress as professionals, but in a casual sense. The students who come to be tutored will most likely be wearing shorts and t-shirts.

What will I need for supplies?

You will find out more about the supplies you will need to purchase on the first day of the course.

On the first day of the course, we encourage students to visit the USM Library (1st floor of Bailey Hall, Gorham campus) and set-up and pay for an acccount to make photocopies at the Library. Students are responsible for their own photocopies during the course and are not permitted to use the department's photocopier or printers.

We also suggest that you consider using a rolling case or a large canvas bag to carry your materials in on a daily basis, as you might have to change tutor room locations from day to day, depending on the space available.

We encourage students to make digital back-up copies of their work and save them on a memory stick, just in case you have a computer troubles.

I have just finished the EDU 639 Practicum, and I am now ready to graduate. What do I need to do?

You need to apply for graduation by submitting the "Application for Degree" form. Directions are included on the form. Then, you just have to wait for your transcripts to be reviewed by the Literacy Program and CEHD Dean's office, before you will officially graduate. If you are planning to participate in Commencement, please visit this link for more information. Your diploma will be mailed to you at the address you write on the "Application for Degree" form.

For More Information or Questions:
Nancy Hutton & Peter Lancia
Summer Reading and Writing Workshop Co-Directors
Literacy Education Program
Professional Education Department
221 Bailey Hall, Gorham Campus
Phone: (207) 780-5400
Fax: (207) 780-5206