MS Human Ecology Road Map
Summer Prior to Starting the Program
| Task | Course | Approximate Date | Key Contacts | Notes |
| Conduct initial planning meeting with Sarah Halpern-Meekin regarding area of interest, course planning, and possible
faculty mentors. |
May to June | Sarah Halpern-Meekin, Faculty Director of the Master’s Program | Sarah Halpern-Meekin will work with you to identify professional and educational goals, recommend faculty members who can provide additional guidance, and help you to develop a customized course plan. |
| Register for Fall courses | July | Sarah Halpern-Meekin | Take into consideration:
• Professional and educational goals • Professional skills course requirement includes: Inter-HE 815, CSCS 699 (Mary Beth Collins) and 801 (Nonprofit Board Leadership) • Overall course plan for the program • Your area of specialization • Advice from faculty |
Fall Semester 1
| Task | Course | Approximate Date | Key Contacts | Notes |
| Participate in new graduate student
orientation activities |
September | SoHE administrators, staff and faculty | • Learn about the Program, SoHE, and UW–Madison!
• Confer with Mary Beth Collins to learn about CommNS and the SoHE Centers |
| Take classes – full-time students typically complete 8 to 12 course credits each semester. | September to December | ||
| Schedule meeting(s) to consult with Sarah Halpern-Meekin regarding areas of interest, community partners network, and initial
Capstone concepts. Receive guidance for Spring course registration. |
October | Sarah Halpern-Meekin | |
| Register for Spring courses | November | Take into consideration:
• Professional and educational goals • Professional skills course requirement • Review of available courses • Your area of specialization • Advice from advisor and mentors |
Spring Semester 2
| Task | Course | Approximate Date | Key Contacts | Notes |
| Take classes – full-time students typically | January to May | ||
| Schedule and conduct individual planning meeting regarding area of interest, Capstone project ideas, and Capstone
committee. |
March | Sarah Halpern-Meekin
Mary Beth Collins Faculty, mentors, or Capstone committee members as appropriate |
As students begin to narrow the focus of their Capstone project, they should initiate a meeting of possible faculty and professionals who will serve on their Capstone committee to discuss the development of a Capstone project proposal. |
| Participate in Spring event final project presentations | March or April | Sarah Halpern-Meekin
Mary Beth Collins Faculty, mentors, or Capstone committee members as appropriate |
This is an opportunity to share information about the work of Master’s students with Capstone committee members and other community partners, as well as learn about community needs. Campus advisors, SoHE faculty, current graduate students and other stakeholders are invited to attend. |
| Plan for Summer | April | Sarah Halpern-Meekin
Mary Beth Collins Committee members as appropriate |
• Consider summer course offerings, as available
• Consider internship or work opportunities related to your course of study – as needed, confer with Sarah Halpern- Meekin and CommNS contacts and network. |
| Register for Summer/Fall courses | April | Take into consideration:
• Professional and educational goals • Professional skills course requirement • Review of available courses • Your area of specialization • Advice from advisor and mentors |
Summer “Between”
| Task | Course | Approximate Date | Key Contacts | Notes |
| Courses and/or Work
Experience |
Fall Semester 3
| Task | Course | Approximate Date | Key Contacts | Notes |
| Participate in fall CommNS events (retreat, mixer, and other outreach events) | September | CommNS | This is your opportunity to network with community organizations and representatives connected to the program. If your area of interest is not represented in this group, Mary Beth
Collins will work with you to explore other connections. |
| Take classes – full-time students typically complete 8 to 12 course
credits each semester. |
September to December | ||
| Participate in Capstone planning sessions | September to December | Attend scheduled sessions with fellow students and program leadership. | |
| Register for Spring courses | November | Take into consideration:
• Professional and educational goals • Professional skills course requirement • Review of available courses • Your area of specialization • Advice from advisor and mentors • REGISTER FOR CAPSTONE |
Spring Semester 4
| Task | Course | Approximate Date | Key Contacts | Notes |
| Consult with Capstone committee members as well as others who can provide guidance on
Capstone project. |
March | ||
| Present Capstone Project at Spring Symposium | April | Sarah Halpern-Meekin
Mary Beth Collins Committee members as appropriate |
Students will present their final Capstone projects at this annual event. The event will be open to faculty, graduate students, Capstone committee members and other community partners. Students will receive feedback and have opportunities for ongoing professional networking. |
| Graduate! | May |