Risk and Prevention

Practicum and Research Placements

All Risk and Prevention (R&P) students enroll in a yearlong service practicum or research experience that serves to teach students how to apply theoretical models. Students are matched with supervisors and placements based on their professional and academic interests. Placements emphasize the role of school- and community-based counselors, teachers, and educational specialists in fostering healthy development, decision-making, and habits through early intervention and care.

Practicum Experience

Risk and Prevention students are placed in schools and community organizations in greater Boston and Cambridge. Placements emphasize the role of school- and community-based counselors, teachers, and educational specialists in fostering healthy development, decision-making, and habits through early intervention and care. Under the supervision of highly skilled and committed practitioners, students have the opportunity to apply coursework to their work with children and adolescents. Although sites vary from year to year, the following list reflects the diversity of field-based experiences available to R&P students:

• Boston Arts Academy
• Brighton High School
• New Mission High School
• Gardner Extended Services School
• Patrick Lyndon Pilot School
• RALLY at Curley Middle School
• Edwards Middle School
• Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
• Tenacity
• Mission Safe
• Orchard Gardens K-8 School

Research Experience

The R&P Research Experience is an exciting alternative to the practicum and attracts students who are interested in policy, program development and evaluation, educational research, gaining experience in research in preparation for doctoral study, and broadening their purview as prevention practitioners and teachers. Students who choose the research experience are matched with R&P faculty members and actively take part in a faculty members’ research. Duties and tasks may include: transcribing, analyzing, and compiling data, conducting interviews and observation, collecting data in schools or community agencies, and completing literature reviews. Students are required to participate in lab meetings as well as a yearlong course (H396 or H397). In addition, students are expected to present their findings in poster form at the R&P Research Fair. In the past, some students have participated in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Student Research Conference (SRC).

Facing History and Ourselves

Un Buen Comienzo: Building Better Preschool Education in Chile

Dissemination of Research on Low-Wage Work and Children’s Development to Advocates and Policy Makers