Practicum Project

The Practicum Project (AMST 857/ANTH 857/HIST 811/INST 728I) is an independent research and creative project designed to allow students to work with museum professionals in the field on a project that relates to the student’s interests. Projects vary, but might include researching artifacts, interpreting historic sites/tours, designing or critiquing exhibitions (or parts of them), evaluating visitor experiences, developing educational programming, recommending best practices, among many other topics. Please consult this helpful guide (compiled in 2021 by Kenna Hernly, PhD) about the practicum. (note: the process for faculty advisor has been replaced by working with the MSMC director)

The practicum project generally consists of three components: 

(1) The in-person practicum project.

(2) the practicum product or deliverable and a research summary. This may include a walking tour script, proposed exhibit, new policy or protocol, or realized elements of an exhibition, storymap, etc.

(3) A short reflection essay. The essay should be around 5-7 pages and describe/ summarize the practicum experience.

Frequently the product and research are combined into an extended paper. In general the deliverable or product should be designed to be for the institution for which the practicum takes place, and the essay/reflection is for the course. If combined, 30-35 pages would be appropriate (perhaps more if appendices are included – e.g. transcripts of oral histories as in Ennis Barbery’s submission). If separate a research summary of 10-12 pages should be sufficient, submitted along with the practicum deliverable.

Students develop and carry out the practicum project using collections or resources at a host organization on or off-campus, such as the Performing Arts Library, SCUA, MITH, or the Driskell Center on campus, a Smithsonian museum, The Phillips Collection, the Greenbelt Museum, the Library of Congress, or one of the historic sites supervised by Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation. While MSMC maintains a database of locations and opportunities, students may find an entity or professional to work with on their own.

We have deliberately designed the practicum project to offer a flexible range of options and opportunities. We encourage students to choose a project that interests them, supports work they are doing for their degree program, and/or enhances their career credentials. Alumni have found the flexibility of the practicum project valuable and recommend that students regard topic selection as an opportunity. Many alumni include their practicum projects in the portfolio of materials they share with potential employers.

Over the course of the practicum project, students work with the current MSMC Director (as of July 1, 2026 Dr. Quint Gregory) as well as an advisor or supervisor from a host site.

As part of this new process, you will create a Practicum Project Plan that will be approved by the Practicum Project advisor and your Site Supervisor before you begin. Please find an example Practicum Project Plan here.

Practicum Examples

Previous students have shared their practicum products to give current and prospective students greater insight into the final product. Please note that all of these examples were completed before the new guidelines were launched in 2022. They may be longer or more elaborate than newer projects. Please view other alumni practicum project titles here.

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