"My time in Guatemala helped me get a better idea of what my gifts are. I had a chance to see the reality of what I had studied, to begin to practice it and also to see where my strengths and weakness lie." Kristine Zylstra, Winnipeg.
"I learned so much about myself. The experience helped me to put my studies into practice. Learning by doing helped me to see my potential future." Carolyn Goertz, Winnipeg, who did her practicum with Winnipeg's Optimal Health Early Years Sports Club with autistic children.
 |
Werner Kliewer, Practica Director, CMU's Shaftesbury campus |
Practicum assignments are supervised, structured educational opportunities that involve action, reflection, and response. The practicum is a requirement for all students who wish to graduate from CMU's Shaftesbury campus (except for music majors), and for four-year majors in International Development Studies and Conflict Resolution Studies at Menno Simons College, CMU's campus at the University of Winnipeg.
You may fulfil this prctica requirement during the academic year, or as an intensive that finds you spending a specified number of weeks of concentrated time at a placement for a term of up to one year.
Practicum assignments can be done in Winnipeg, in North America or around the world. They can be done with non-profit agencies, businesses or government. CMU students have done practcum assignments with many different kinds of groups and organizations, including international relief and development agencies; various leves of government; schools; in the health care system; at credit unions; in churches; in homeless shelters; with refugees; with seniors; in communications; at camps; and in the justice system, to name a few.
Places where Countries where students have done practicum assignments include Canada, the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Click here to read an article about what practicum assignments mean for students at CMU.
"My practicum was exactly what a practicum is supposed to be; practical, hands-on experience. I had the opportunity to teach English and organize activities at a rural children's home in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Through this experience, God opened my eyes to gifts and abilities that I never new I had." Jeremy Zehr, Deer Creek, IL
Courses
The following section contains a complete list of courses for its curriculum. For current course listings please see the Course Description section of our website.
CMU offers two types of practicum courses. The first type is scheduled alongside other courses during the academic year. These courses require students to gain experience in individual placements (a minimum of sixty hours per three credit hours) and to meet regularly in a practicum class at CMU.
The second type are intensive practicum courses that require students to spend a block of concentrated time in a placement over a minimum of twelve weeks (for a six credit-hour course). Most intensive practicum courses are developed with specific CMU programs in mind, but they are not restricted to students taking those programs. Financial assistance is available for some intensive practica.
Appropriate practicum placements are arranged with the Practicum Office in accordance with the student’s individual interests and academic goals. Students should consult the Director of Practica for further information and for assistance in arranging placements.
Click here to go the Academic Calendar (PDF) for more information about Practicums, including prerequisites. (Pages 12 & 75)
PRAC-2000/3, 2010/6, Practicum: Prerequisite: 30 credit hours
of post-secondary education.
PRAC-2900/3 Disaster Recovery Studies Intensive
Practicum I: An eight-week placement on a disaster site
arranged by Mennonite Disaster Service. Normally this
placement will occur during the second or the third summer
of the student’s program. Prerequisites: 30 credit hours of
university-level studies, including DRS-2000/3.
PRAC-3100/3, 3110/6, 3120/9 Intensive Practicum: Prerequisites: 60 credit hours of post-secondary education (but
in some circumstances students may be eligible after 30 credit
hours); 30 credit hours at CMU.
PRAC-3200/3, 3210/6 & 3220/9 Missions and Service
Intensive Practicum: Placements in settings where the
church is actively engaged in mission/service; they may be
domestic or international; they will often be crosscultural,
and they may last as long as one year. Prerequisites: 18 credit
hours of Biblical and Theological Studies, including 6 credit
hours of Practical Theology; 60 credit hours of post-secondary
education, including 30 at CMU. It is recommended that
students complete BTS-2720/3 or 3710/3 before registering for
this practicum.
PRAC-3310/6 Pastoral Ministry Intensive Practicum: Placements will normally be in a congregational setting.
Prerequisites: BTS-3400/3, an additional 3 credit hours of
Practical Theology, and an additional 12 credit hours of
Biblical and Theological Studies; 60 credit hours of
postsecondary education, including 30 at CMU.
PRAC-3410/6 Worship Intensive Practicum: Placements will
most often be in a congregational setting, but other
placements may be appropriate. Prerequisites: BTS-3410/3, an
additional 3 credit hours of Practical Theology, and an
additional 12 credit hours of Biblical and Theological Studies;
60 credit hours of post-secondary education, including 30 at
CMU.
PRAC-3510/6 Youth Ministry Intensive Practicum: Placements frequently will be in congregational settings, but
other placements are also appropriate. Prerequisites: 18 credit
hours of Biblical and Theological Studies, including two of BTS-
2300/3, 2310/3, 3300/3, and 3330/3; 60 credit hours of postsecondary
education, including 30 at CMU.
PRAC-3610/6 Music and Worship Intensive Practicum: Placements will most often be arranged with a particular
congregation, but other settings are also possible.
Prerequisites: MUSC-2300/3; one of MUSC-2310/3, MUSC-2320/3,
MUSC-2330/3, and MUSC-3310/3; and an additional 12 credit
hours of Biblical and Theological Studies; 60 credit hours of
post-secondary education, including 30 at CMU.
PRAC-3710/6, 3720/9 Peace and Conflict Transformation
Studies Intensive Practicum: Placement in a domestic or
international location. Prerequisites: PCTS-1010/3 and 1020/3 OR
former PCTS-1100/6, and 3 credit hours of group I courses from
each of the two categories, “Analyzing Peace and Violence”
and “Peacebuilding”; 60 credit hours of post-secondary
education, including 30 at CMU.
PRAC-3810/6, 3820/9 International Development
Studies Intensive Practicum: Placement with a development
agency, usually in an overseas location. Prerequisites: IDS-
1020/3 or former IDS-1100/6, 2110/3(or former IDS-3110),
and3111/3; 60 credit hours of post-secondary education,
including 30 at CMU.
PRAC-3900/3 Disaster Recovery Studies Intensive
Practicum II: An eight-week placement on a disaster site.
Prerequisites: DRS-2900 and 3000/3.
Contact Werner Kliewer at wkliewer@cmu.ca, Practica Director, CMU's Shaftesbury campus
Contact Ruth Taronno at rtaronno@cmu.ca, Practica Director, CMU's Menno Simons College campus
