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Credit & Time Requirements
Orientation
Initial
Appointment with Chair
Appointment with additional members
Programs of Study
Field Practicum Proposal
Implementation of the Field Project
Preparation of final report and seminar
Graduation
The program requires 45 credits; 33 credits correspond to obligatory MDP coursework and 12 to elective courses. The program curriculum can be found online here. Some flexibility in course requirements exists, especially for students in joint or concurrent degree programs.
- An MDP orientation will be given before the start of the fall semester or during the first week of classes. The orientation will introduce students to the MDP Program and its vision, program guidelines and requirements and expectations and to faculty and second year MDP students. The orientation will provide an opportunity for students to articulate their expectations of the program.
- Attend the MDP/TCD orientation (at the end of the first week of classes).
- Students are also encouraged to attend the graduate school orientation. Dates for this orientation are e-mailed directly to the student by the graduate school.
(2) Initial meeting with Graduate Coordinator (Within two weeks of the start of fall semester)
- Schedule a meeting with the graduate coordinator (Marianne Schmink mschmink@latam.ufl.edu, office 301 Grinter Hall). Prof. Schmink will want to discuss your specific interests for your Master’s practicum and product, and the makeup of your supervisory committee.
(3) Appointment of the chair of your supervisory committee (1st half of first semester)
- The chair of your supervisory committee should be appointed as early as possible in the program after your discussion with the graduate coordinator. Since students must begin planning their field practicum during the first semester, the chair should be selected in the first half of the fall semester so he/she can participate in this important process.
- Major advisor is normally a member of the MDP steering or curriculum committees. A list of current steering and curriculum committee members can be found online here.
(4) Appointment of additional members of the supervisory committee (End of first semester)
- In addition to the chair of your supervisory committee, at least one additional member of the committee is required. Selection of the second committee member should be done in consultation with the chair of your committee.
- The second member can be any faculty member at UF. If pursuing a minor, the second member of the committee must be a representative of the department or administrative unit linked to the minor.
- Professionals representing development and academic organizations and institutions can be invited to participate on your supervisory committee (as a third member). Their inclusion in your committee must be approved by the committee chair and the Graduate Coordinator. They must be able to participate in the student’s comprehensive exam in UF or utilizing online tools.
(5) Program of Study (POS) Plan (End of first semester)
- Your POS will include a listing of the courses you plan to take during your program, including electives to satisfy the requirements of the concentration, specialization and/or minor you wish to pursue. The POS should be completed by the end of the fall semester with the guidance of the chair of your supervisory committee.
- As indicated, the POS form should be completed by end the fall semester. The form will include MDP courses and elective courses to be taken, members of your supervisory committee and the site where you intend to carry out your field practicum. Provide original to the Graduate Coordinator, a copy to the Program Coordinator and keep one for your records.
- Sign up for TCD certificate by the end of the spring semester. You will automatically qualify for this certificate.
(6) Field practicum proposal and Field practicum paperwork (Theses documents should be prepared by the mid-point of the second semester)
- The field practicum proposal must include an overview of the objectives and focus of your practicum, the country and site where the work will be conducted, a brief overview of the local organization(s) that you plan to collaborate with and their interests. This information should be compiled by the end of the first semester.
- Submission of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) form. You must submit IRB form for approval during or prior to the month of February. Guidelines and forms for nonmedical projects can be found here. It takes 7-10 days to receive a response from the IRB.
- It is strongly suggested that you submit your field practicum funding applications by March 1 carefully following the guidelines provided online here. By submitting by this date, you will have time for submitting paperwork for funds to help cover the costs of your practicum.
- The application for a field scholarship must include the proposal, summer scholarship application forms duly filled out, terms of reference for your work from a representative of the local organization/community with which you will be working and the IRB approval. Summer scholarship application forms can be found online here. MDP director will make final decisions regarding approval of field funds by March 15 if the above timeline indications are followed.
- The documents indicated for applying for the field scholarship disbursement must be submitted to the Center for Latin American Studies or the Center for African Studies.
(7) Implementation of Field Project (Minimum of 10 weeks during the summer months)
- You are strongly encouraged to organize information collected as the work progresses and begin write up while still in the field. Be sure to jot down insights and important observations each day.
- You are required to present the preliminary results and findings of your work to local community/organization while in county.
(8) Preparation of final report and seminar (Early in fourth semester)
- You are strongly encouraged to continue the analysis of the information and preparation of the final report when you return from the field. Submission of your final report should take place early in the fourth (Spring) semester.
- After the supervisory committee chair has approved final report the student will give a seminar on the work conducted, important findings and results and recommendations for the future.
- You will be required to fill out a form signed by the Chair of your supervisory committee indicating that you have met all the requirements of the MDP Program and qualify for graduation.
- You will be required to complete paperwork provided by the graduate school online in ISIS. The deadline for the submission of required forms is the published midpoint of the graduation term.
