Kristin Wawrzyniak, Child Life practica student, with patients at Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport, LA.

The Experiential Education Program in the School of Human Ecology is designed to provide students with structured, supervised experiences in their chosen professional fields. Experiences include practicas, internships, and cooperative education. These experiences enhance employment opportunities for students and are available for academic credit. This program also serves as an opportunity to integrate the theoretical principles studied in the classroom with the practical knowledge gained from on-the-job performance. Visit the information page for more information.

Courses that relate to Human Ecology practicas are HEC 267 and 477.

For more information on Human Ecology practicas contact the following faculty members:

Child Life and Family Studies
- Mrs. Anita Pumphrey
- (318) 257-4517
- apumphrey@latech.edu

Merchandising and Consumer Studies
- Dr.Lori Myers
- (318) 257-4412
- lmyers@latech.edu

The Human Ecology Experiential Education office is located in CTH 255. A graduate assistant maintains the office three hours each day during the quarter.

1. Minimum overall GPA of 2.0
2. Completion of 27 hours of course work applicable to student's degree program.
3. Completion of prerequisite courses.
4. Admission to upper division for 400 level practica.
5. Approval of Advisor, Faculty Supervisor, Academic Coordinator, and Director.
6. Nine hours maximum of experimental learning credit will apply toward credit for graduation (in varied work experiences and combinations of course numbers).
7. Pass/Fail Grading
8. Permission required for enrollment in course.

Job/Hour Requirements

Semester Hour Credit	Required Hours in Experiential Education
1	Minimum of 4 hours/week, 40 hours/quarter
2	Minimum of 8 hours/week
3	Minimum of 12 hours/week
6	Minimum of 24 hours/week
9	36+ hours/week

Brandi Brook, Family Studies practica student, helps students with homework at the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana.	Family Studies practica student Rachel Langston helps tutor students earning their GEDs at the Even Start Program at Lincoln Center in Ruston, LA

Three day field trip to Dallas market/industry establishments. Students enrolled in MCS 108 participate as well as other interested majors. Students visit professionals to learn of careers and internship opportunities. Costs are paid by each students. The trip takes place during the winter quarter.

A merchandising and consumer studies field trip to New York City is offered each spring quarter as a part of a course designed for people interested in retailing, marketing, fashion design, consumer affairs, consumer relations, advertising, and financial services. The itinerary includes appointments with industry representatives, sightseeing, a Broadway play and visits to museums, Radio City Music Hall, NBC, the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank. Students have an opportunity to meet with experts in merchandising, marketing, and consumer affairs and can learn about opportunities for careers and internships.

Participants register with Tech and enroll in MCS 498 or Continuing Education. The course carries three hours undergraduate or graduate credit and includes additional work to be done before and after the trip to receive the credit. Costs include airfare, ground transportation in New Yrok, lodging, tours, show tickets, sightseeing, a trip to Liberty and Ellis Islands, and several group meals. Headquarters for the groups is a mid-town hotel within easy walking distance of many of the city's cultural attractions. For more information, contact Dr. Lori Myers at (318) 257 -4412 or email lmyers@latech.edu.