Field Project

Participants are required to develop a master's project designed to test their application of theory to practice, to expand their policy and practical experience, and, under supervision, to increase their security and comfort levels at working in what is usually a contentious and sometimes dangerous field. In addition, the field project will test and improve the breadth and depth of participants' professional skills and significantly increase their networks of collaboration.

The field project is carried out over a minimum or three months and is undertaken under the direction and supervision of the program director or other Heller faculty members. For the field project, students are either in a working placement in a governmental or non-governmental organization assisting with the development and implementation of a policy or a program of coexistence intervention or carrying out independent fieldwork. Their fieldwork will be designed to assist the generation and development of new coexistence and conflict management intervention options and must be undertaken in partnership with policy makers or practitioners who are already working in the area.

The project will consist of either (a) or (b):

a) A working placement of at least three months in a governmental or non-governmental organization assisting with the development and implementation of a policy or a program of coexistence intervention. Students will (1) identify an intervention, or their particular part of an intervention; (2) set objectives and timelines for the intervention; (3) secure partners where necessary for its implementation; (4) ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluating techniques are built into the program design; and (5) write a final report on the intervention.

b) Independent fieldwork for at least three months in a conflict area. Such fieldwork will be designed to assist the generation and development of new coexistence and conflict management intervention options and must be undertaken in partnership with policy makers or practitioners who are already working in the area. The report of this fieldwork will include feedback and evaluations from prospective partners already working in the area. Students who are on a sabbatical from their place of employment, and whose courses of study are funded by that employer, may carry out their project either within, or on behalf of, their sponsoring organization, with the approval of the program director.

The M.A. field project will be undertaken under the direction and supervision of the program director or other Heller faculty members. It will result in a fieldwork report that will discuss the development, activities, outcomes and recommendations from the project. Students are required to submit the report to the director by December 1 of their second year in the program. Satisfactory completion of this report is essential for completion of the M.A. degree.

For examples of past projects, please go to the Alumni section here.

For any questions regarding the fieldwork project, please contact Joanne Murphy, MA COEX Fieldwork Project Coordinator. Also, please see the COEX Timeline (pdf) for chronological specifics on the fieldwork project.

Helpful links: