Academic Advising
You should plan to meet with me at least twice each semester to discuss progress in the program, and then more frequently as you get closer to graduation. It is your responsibility to keep me informed about changes in your academic progress, course selection, academic/career goals and/or financial aid needs. Please update the course planning worksheet each semester and share it with me when requested (click here for MA worksheet and EdM worksheet; see here for the worksheet for the Global Governance, Policy, and Planning cluster). I encourage all students to complete their required courses, including the two research methods courses, as early in the program as possible. **Please remember: incoming students are now required to take ITSF 4009 Introduction to Research Methods in International and Comparative Education unless they have already taken an introductory methods course.
Why are Office Hours Important?: I know that some students may be reluctant to sign up for office hours, but I hope and expect that all of you will take advantage of this resource. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other better, for me to learn more about your academic and professional interests, and for you to feel more connected to our program. I hope to see you at least two times during the semester during office hours and I encourage you to take advantage of meeting with other faculty members during their office hours as well.
Why are Office Hours Important?: I know that some students may be reluctant to sign up for office hours, but I hope and expect that all of you will take advantage of this resource. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other better, for me to learn more about your academic and professional interests, and for you to feel more connected to our program. I hope to see you at least two times during the semester during office hours and I encourage you to take advantage of meeting with other faculty members during their office hours as well.
Requests for Letters of Recommendation & Professional References
I am happy to write letters on your behalf and to serve as a reference for jobs, further educational endeavors, scholarships, and internships. Students planning to request letters of recommendation should have taken at minimum one course with me and/or had other opportunities to collaborate with me on projects outside of the classroom. Your performance in my course or as part of a collaborative project will provide a good indicator of the strength of my recommendation. Requests for letters of recommendation should be made at least 2 weeks before the application deadline. I will also let you know at the time of your request whether or not I am the best person to write the letter and if I can provide the letter by the deadline. In order to streamline the process, please provide me with the following information in a single email at least two weeks prior to the deadline:
- Description about the internship/job, graduate school, scholarship or other opportunity to which you are applying (include web addresses and/or hyperlinks to this information when available)
- ½ - 1 page description of the following:
- The dates you were in the academic program at TC
- How we know each other: Academic advisor, course instructor (and for how many and which courses)
- 1-2 detailed sentences about your work in my course and/or any other collaborative activities that we engaged in
- 1-2 detailed sentences about your experiences, skills, abilities that you would like me to highlight in the letter of recommendation
- Copy of unofficial TC transcript
- Your updated resume/CV
- A copy of the cover letter and/or personal statement that will accompany your application
- Word or page limit for the recommendation letter
- Deadline for the recommendation
- Method by which I should submit the letter (snail mail; email, along with the email address; and if possible the full name(s) and affiliation(s) of the person/group receiving the letter (Note: I do not give letters directly to students)
Academic Requirements for Credit-based Internships
Students interested in enrolling in an internship course for credit while participating in an off-campus practical training opportunity will need to agree to the following requirements:
- Site supervisor completes mid-term and final performance evaluation
- Student writes and submits a final paper (5-7 pages for 1 credit, 10-12 pages for 2 credits, 15-18 pages for 3 credits); focus and objectives of paper to be determined in consultation with advisor once internship has been confirmed