The School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts offers both theoretical and applied courses in electronic media production, performance, advertising, programming, sales, promotion, management, electronic journalism, and film criticism.

Practicum Policies

 

Download BCA Practicum Credit Application now.
Application is also available in Moore 340.

BCA 329 is a guided “hands-on” application of skills relevant to industry practices and procedures. Students are assigned a specific task or experience area within which they are to perform evaluated duties. Individualized learning is stressed in a reality-based environment.

- Possible assignments in audio/radio include on-air programmer, newscaster-reporter, sportscaster-reporter, Executive or Supervisory-management staff, production, promotion, sales, music or traffic personnel.
- Possible assignments in video/television include Executive management staff; show producer, director, technical director, audio engineer, videographer, editor, videotape operator, camera operator or floor director.
- Possible assignments in broadcast news include reporter, news anchor, sports anchor, weather forecast, assignment editor, director, videotape operator, studio camera operator or floor director.
- Possible assignments in performance include voicing of sports for BCA 311.

To register for practicum credit, the students first must become active in the appropriate co-curricular unit (e.g.: WMHW, MHTV, News Central) and have a specific position or duties assigned to him/her. The students then must request practicum credit from the faculty supervisor of that practicum unit foe the specified position or duties.

Students are expected to fulfill a minimum of 45 applied hours per registered course credit hour on the specific assignment for which the practicum has been approved. Students also are required to present a log or logs of activities at specified intervals before a grade us assigned. Some practicum assignments may require off-campus activity. In most instances, a maximum of two (2) credit hours per semester is the allowable limit in a co-curricular unit with a maximum of three (3) credit hours total in BCA 329 in any given semester.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate proficiency in the specific area for which the practicum is assigned.
2. Demonstrate understanding of terms and procedures related to the specific area in which the practicum is assigned.
3. Demonstrate ability to interact successfully with other individuals in task and job-related positions and situations.

This course is credit/no credit (CR/NC) only. Evaluation of the student is conducted by the practicum unit faculty director in conjunction with a student Executive Staff member where appropriate (e.g.: WMHW News Director also reviews performance of newscaster.)

Generally, the student in a practicum assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria, though not all criteria may be applicable in some specific assignments:
1. Student Activity log(s) and/or journal
2. Performance and skill on the job
3. Dependability in meeting assigned deadlines and work requirements
4. Appropriateness of job methods and success in the execution
5. Observed improvement in performance
6. Ability to be a team member and help colleagues

In addition, the following should be noted:
- Where appropriate, attendance for expected work activities will be noted. Absence from assigned duties may result in NO CREDIT for the course
- Attendance at scheduled Practicum Unit meetings is required. Failure to attend may result in NO CREDIT for the course, Meeting requirements may vary from practicum unit to unit.
- Unprofessional behavior that results in damage to or destruction of equipment may result in NO CREDIT for the course.

It is imperative that he student contact the director of the practicum unit to which he/she is assigned to ascertain specific details of required activities and assignments each semester.