Residential Workshops
Hands-on instruction in certain coursework is offered. ACAS has therefore contracted with the non-profit Animal Behavior Center
of New
York and the Queens Community Animal Shelter in New York City. This single facility is used for the workshop portion of some
training
to enable students to work with dogs, cats and other companion animals and their family members. Students are responsible for
arranging their own transportation, accommodations, and payment for these workshops. ACAS may, from time to time, arrange
discounted
hotel accommodations for its students. Students must budget their time and funds to participate in workshops when required for
program
completion. At this time the workshops are only offered in New York.
Externships
Externship placements are a means of achieving "hands-on" educational objectives. Students can work in environments where
theoretical
knowledge may be applied to real work situations. These include developing or enhancing professional skills and responsibility,
developing animal handling and assessment skills, and experiencing standard operating procedures in an actual operation.
The student is placed with a public or not-for-profit agency or organization (hereinafter referred to as the host agency). As
much as
possible, ACAS tries to locate placement near the student's home. During the externship quarter the student spends at least 12
hours
per week on the work at the host agency. This does not include time conferencing with the faculty supervisor or commuting. The
externship exposes the student to substantive aspects of operations in the host agency. Limited clerical work that is
job-related is
included. Externships include several of the following:
- Developing and investigating facts
- Conducting research
- Participating in operations
- Drafting documents such as standard operating procedures, case studies, and reports
- Participating in or attending sessions in which the host agency deals with the public
- Other duties assigned by the faculty member and agreed upon by the host agency.
The student will be supervised by one staff member at the host agency (hereinafter referred to as the supervisor), but may also
work
with others at the host agency.
The faculty member will discuss the planned experience for the quarter with the supervisor before the externship begins and the
student's progress during the quarter.
The student will verbally communicate with the sponsoring faculty member for at least one hour every other week and may include
one on
one or meetings of a group of students via teleconference involved in similar externships.
The student will keep a journal or log of activities at the host agency. The faculty member will review and evaluate the log at
least
every other week.
The faculty member will engage the student(s) in critical evaluation of the externship, discuss the professional experience at
the host
agency, identify operational and ethical issues raised by the externship experience, and explore the issues of procedure that
relate to
the student(s) experience.
The student will receive six (6) credits on a Pass-Fail basis.
Restrictions:
Second year Masters Degree students will be given preference for enrollment in externships.
No student will be permitted to take more than one, six-credit externship for credit.
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