NSU SHSS Catalog 2014-2015 - page 74

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A sample degree plan for a residential student who begins their studies in the Fall term
and enrolls in 3 courses per term can be found on the website at
Electives
Students in the program will select two electives (6 credits) in addition to their core
courses and concentration courses. Electives may be chosen from any of the concentration
tracks.
Practicum
Practicum is not required in NSA but may be selected as part of Tracks III and IV or as an
elective. The Department is available for assistance and advising regarding practicum.
Practicum is taken as a class and students select a field site to work in during the same
term as the class. Practicum I is offered in the Summer and Winter terms. Practicum
advising sessions are offered residentially and online to help students plan. It is
recommended that any interested students begin to explore potential practicum sites well
in advance of the term they wish to take practicum. Practicum is both a course as well as a
field experience.
Students are responsible for documenting practicum hours, and must have these hours
verified and signed by an on-site supervisor. The practicum experience is designed to
provide students with an experiential opportunity to utilize theory and methodology within
a diversity of professional settings.
The Department will work with students to establish a
placement suited to each student’s interests, if possible.
The student must receive approval from both the Department and the agency on-site
supervisor before beginning the required Practicum hours. The student is responsible for
documenting Practicum hours and receiving supervisor approval. The practice component
of the student's Practicum is evaluated by the on-site supervisor and this evaluation is
combined with the classroom performance and course requirements and converted into a
final overall grade by the professor teaching the course.
Most if not all of the practicum sites of interest to NSA students require a background
check/security clearance before the practicum placement can begin. This is at the
student’s expense and should be done as soon as possible before the practicum term.
Therefore NSA students interested in practicum should begin their planning well in
advance.
Examinations and Evaluations
In addition to successfully completing all course work, students must pass a tabletop
examination to be awarded the M.S. in National Security Affairs. When a student has
completed all coursework, has maintained a minimum of 3.0 GPA with no "incomplete"
grades, and is a "student in good standing" with no disciplinary actions pending or
disciplinary tasks to complete, the student will be eligible to take the tabletop examination.
The tabletop exam is an assessment of the student’s ability to integrate the knowledge
and skills gained through course work. The exam tests the student’s written ability to
critically analyze and apply conflict assessment, theory, and research methodology to
hypothetical conflict situations. The exam also tests knowledge of material specific to the
academic curriculum.
The interactive online table-top exercise will assess the program outcomes. The table-top
exercise will be scored like all major assignments in the program, using a rubric and
assessing students’ competencies in regards to program outcomes. Students must receive
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