The practicum provides an opportunity for student teams to engage with a real-world business problem.
Working with your counterparts in the organization, you will:
- Devise an analytical approach to solving a managerial issue
- Present a design for the analytical data set and model development
- Execute, and present the results.
The practicum aims to replicate the real-world immersive experience of an internship, while enabling faculty to retain control over the depth of the projects to ensure students gain exposure to all the key aspects of analytics.
The practicum runs concurrently with the course work in the program, making it possible for students to relate the material they learn in the class directly to the project they are working on. The courses within the program, topics covered in the colloquium and various resources at Rotman will guide students in producing the best possible solution to the managerial issues addressed in the practicum.
"The practicum project was the highlight of my MMA experience. It's an opportunity to work on a live project in your own industry, and to apply the skills you gain in class to real-world challenges."
-Sydney Kalyn, MMA '22
Senior Analyst, Enterprise Strategy, Manulife
How the practicum project works
Rotman faculty work with the MMA Advisory Board and our wider network of industry contacts to secure a range of project opportunities from a variety of different organizations.
The project suggestions come from industry and focus on topics that are relevant to them. These suggestions are refined through discussion with faculty to ensure the best possible learning outcome for you as the student and the best possible results for the industry sponsor.
Every student is guaranteed a practicum. Typically practicums are conducted in teams of three or four students.
At the end of the practicum project you will present your findings to your classmates, faculty and industry sponsors.
Practicum sponsors
The following organizations have supported previous projects:
"I came to Rotman to improve my business acumen and learn how to use analytics to solve crucial business problems. The MMA's practicum project helped me do just that."
-Mina Rezaei, MMA '19, Data Scientist, Canadian Tire