Guest Author - D. Lynn Byrne, Ph.D.
The focus of most graduate study programs is on producing researchers. In an effort to merge theory and practice, some colleges are shifting their focus to teaching.
Is this a "new" phenomenon? Not really. There have always been colleges and universities that have offered "practical" graduate degrees, those where the focus was on real world applications as opposed to research. But in the 20th and 21st centuries, "research institutions" (those staking their reputations on inquiry and the production of research) refocused efforts on training graduate students specifically in research as opposed to practice. Some of these institutions, however, have begun to realize that the this push to perform research has done little to prepare graduate students for academic life (i.e. teaching) or work in the "real world."
In response to the need to provide graduate students with teaching and other real world experiential opportunities, institutions like the University of Washington have put together specialized programs. These programs include experiential (hands-on) opportunities,workshops, conferences, and access to practical experiential resources targeted specifically to graduate students. The purpose of these programs is to provide graduate students with practice teaching opportunities before turning them loose as degreed professionals. Hopefully, this move to shift the focus from the strictly theoretical to the practical will result in more Master's and Ph.D. graduates who actually have the capacity to teach and lead effectively.
If you are interested in expanding your practical experience, consult your institution's graduate studies Dean. Your institution may have an experiential program in place, or in development, that can help you develop your practical skills. If not, you may wish to consider a teaching assistantship or fellowship in your department, in another department or even on another close-by campus. If these opportunities are few in your area, look into a service-learning cooperative or internship opportunity with a non-profit or other organization in your area.
Until next time!
Lynn Byrne
