This page outlines the entire arc of the master’s project process. The project is composed of three stages: project design, project implementation, and project synthesis. The timeline and links below will help you navigate the master’s project, and we encourage you to use each other as guides through this process.
Stage I. Project Design | Spring + Summer 2016
The first stage of the master’s project is intended to help you explore, make connections, build relationships, and re-connect with your personal leadership principles and learning edges. The Spring semester will introduce you to new frameworks, concepts, and methodologies, as well as faculty and affiliates that could serve on your graduate studies committee.
Ongoing
1. Relationship Building & Exploratory Conversations with Possible Partners
The Spring term should be used to build relationships and pursue exploratory conversations with possible partners, organizations, and/or communities. These initial threads will inform your project proposal and help you develop rapport with your partners.
Due X
This written assignment is an opportunity to revisit and articulate (in a clear and succinct way) the vision, relationships, learning edges, and measures of success that will inform the design of your Masters Project.
2b. Peer Support Team Development (Video explanation here)
As you embark on your project, we invite you to self-organize into 3-person peer support teams. These teams will work together over the course of the year-long process as a touchstone/support system for your projects while creating the opportunity for cross-pollinating our learnings. These teams will help us stay connected to each other during the project process without overloading us with learning all of the details associated with all of our classmates. In the spirit of self-organization, we invite you to determine your own group and we ask that you keep three things in mind as you’re organizing. Choose group members who:
- offer a critical lens/perspective that would benefit you & push your thinking beyond usual patterns
- share a sense of mutual trust and support
- can receive and offer courageous and helpful feedback
May 17, 2016 8pm
Affiliate Open House/Matchmaking Process #1
The graduate studies committee will include: your primary advisor from inside the Rubenstein School (Your MSLS director is your default advisor); an additional member of the UVM Graduate Faculty; and one Professional Affiliate. These open houses provide an opportunity to connect with potential studies committee members to see whether there’s a possibility for a reciprocal relationship. This video explains the graduate studies committee in more depth.
Key Project Documents
May 24, 2016, 8pm
Affiliate Open House/Matchmaking Process #2
Due Early June
3. Proposal Development Assignments (Video explanation here)
The following three assignments are intended to provide you with support in thinking through key elements of your proposal including 1) your theory of change, 2) the systems and leverage points you will engage, and 3) the outcomes, relationships and process that will inform your project. These three short assignments will include some small teachings and Connect sessions.
3a-c. The following three assignments are intended to provide you with support in thinking through key elements of your proposal including 1) your theory of change, 2) the systems and leverage points you will engage, and 3) the outcomes, relationships and process that will inform your project. These three short assignments will include some small teachings and Connect sessions.
3a. Theory of Change Assignment (May 20)
May 31st, 8pm: Adobe Connect with Mistinguette Smith
3b. Leverage Points and Systems (June 17)
June 14th, 8pm: Adobe Connect with Mistinguette Smith
3c. Outcomes, Relationships, Process (July 25)
Content released July 8th. Worksheet and content intended to infuse your project proposal draft.
Due July 10, 2016
3. Finalize Studies Committee Membership
Due July 20, 2016
4. Project Proposal Draft for Peer Review
This draft proposal should address the RFP criteria. The proposal will be workshopped during our NR389 course in the Bay Area. The insights that grow from this first review will be integrated into the formal proposal submitted to your Studies Committee.
Due August 10, 2016 (or at least 1 full week before your first committee meeting)
5. Project Proposal to Studies Committee
The full proposal should clearly address the specifics of your Masters Project. Specific details, checklist, and criteria are forthcoming.
Due August, 2016
6. Committee Meeting (Proposal Feedback)
Approximately one week after your proposal submission, you will have your first Studies Committee meeting. This virtual meeting will be an opportunity to receive feedback on your proposal and suggested revisions. Once your proposal is approved by your committee, it will serve as “Memorandum of Understanding” among you, your committee, and your partners.
Stage II. Project Implementation | Fall + Spring 2017
The second stage of the master’s project occurs in the second year of the program as you step more fully into project implementation. During this second stage, you will complete two formative assessments with your committee that will address your personalized evaluative and learning criteria. These formative assessments provide opportunity for ongoing project course-correction, mid-stream feedback, and the chance to highlight specific skills that may need special attention/growth. You should be prepared to facilitate these assessment meetings and send materials to the committee at least 5 days in advance of the meeting with an agenda.
Due Fall Semester, 2016
8. Committee Meeting Formative Assessment #1
Due Spring Semester, 2017
9. Committee Meeting Formative Assessment #2
Stage III. Project Synthesis | Summer 2017
The final stage of the master’s project aims to wrap up your efforts over the last year by delivering, sharing, and reflecting on the results of your work. Your project deliverables are due, as is a final project reflection/synthesis to capture the learning that occurred. Finally, you will have one final summative assessment with your committee to evaluate, discuss, and reflect on your work. To celebrate your Master’s project, we will invite friends, family, faculty, and affiliates to the culminating Sustainability Leadership Summit in Burlington. You will present and discuss your work and share all that you have accomplished over the last year!
Due July 1, 2017
10. Project Deliverables DueProject deliverables will vary depending on the nature of the project and should be clearly articulated in the proposal.
11. Final Project Reflection/Synthesis Due
Due Summer, 2017
12. Committee Meeting Summative Assessment (“Defense”)
13. Final Presentation at Sustainability Leadership Summit
