Professional Development

Especially for MAPH Students

The emphasis of The Master of Arts Program in Humanities (MAPH) on critical writing, analytical thinking, and scholarly research proves invaluable for those interested in positions in business, government, teaching, journalism, cultural institutions, and nonprofit sector work, as well as those planning to pursue further graduate studies. MAPH sponsors courses meant to provide students with skills in such areas as community college teaching, arts criticism, and critical writing on academia for a broad audience. MAPH also works closely with Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS) to provides special workshops, including a resume and cover letter workshop and a career exploration seminar.

MAPH maintains strong relationships with Chicago area community colleges in order to open teaching opportunities for graduates, both short-term opportunities for students who plan to pursue doctoral study eventually, and long-term, tenure-track teaching positions. MAPH now offers a course called "Teaching in the Community College." They compile an annual Community College Teaching Resume Book and hold a winter reception to introduce current MAPH students to area administrators and faculty, who are then likely to interview MAPH graduates for open teaching positions.

MAPH has worked directly with several area employers and institutions to develop a small, but growing, number of paid internships designed especially for MAPH graduates. Three academic-year positions with the University of Chicago Writing Program involve teaching undergraduates in the University's core program, serving as intellectual and social mentors to current MAPH students, and assisting with the administration of the MAPH office. Summer internships have included positions with the Smart Museum of Art, Chicago History Museum, the Newberry Library, Chicago Public Radio, Browne and Miller Literary Associates, the Chicago Review, the Merit School of Music, and Steppenwolf Theatre. MAPH students should see Associate Director, Joan Wellman for more information on the summer internship program. In addition, MAPH tracks and advertises to students a wide variety of external internship opportunities on the program's student and alumni listserves.