UWP School of Education Clinical Experiences

Student teaching is the final component of the teacher education program. Normally student teaching is completed in a school district within a 100-mile radius of Platteville. Recently, we have invested great efforts to create student teaching opportunities in Aldine, Texas and at numerous international sites. When completing the application form the student is requested to list their preference of locations. If the teacher candidate is interested in an international site they should contact the director of clinical experiences. Applicants must complete a student teaching experience consisting of full days for a full semester following the schedule and calendar of the cooperating school. To be licensed for a specific grade level and/or teaching major or minor, students must have the appropriate student teaching experience(s). Except for early childhood student teaching, all requirements can be completed in one semester.

A limited number of students are selected to complete an internship in lieu of regular student teaching. Interns spend a full semester under contract with the school district and receive compensation from the district for duties performed. Contact the Clinical Experiences Office for more information at 608-342-1271 or email clinicalexp@uwplatt.edu.

Students should apply for admission to student teaching by February 7 preceding the academic year in which the clinical experience will take place. In January, a meeting will be held for students to complete applications for their student teaching placement for the following year. The time and place of this meeting will be well publicized. Please check our website. Only the Clinical Experience Office makes student teaching and internship arrangements. Therefore, students are not to contact school officials in an attempt to make their own arrangements.

Have successfully completed all requirements for admission to the School of Education (SOE) and successfully passed the Praxis II exam.

Meet or exceed minimum required grade point average:

Middle (10-14), Secondary (10-21), and Special Fields (B-21): 2.75 overall and 2.75 in major(s), teaching minor(s) and professional education courses.
Early Childhood (B-11): 2.75 overall and 3.00 GPA in major and professional education courses.

Note: The G.P.A. calculation will not include transfer grades.

Have grades of “C” or better in required methods courses and professional education courses.

The Teacher Education Committee (TEC) is a group of faculty members responsible for monitoring the screening procedures used to select and retain candidates for admission to the SOE and admission to student teaching. This committee is responsible for approving or denying applications for admission to the School of Education and for student teaching.

The committee consists of nine university faculty members—five from the School of Education; four from other departments—elected at large for three-year terms. Ex officio members are the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Education, the Director of the School of Education, the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences, and the Registrar.

A student denied admission to student teaching may file an appeal request for a waiver with the chair of the Teacher Education Committee, check our website for the Chair’s name and email address. The student may present the appeal in person or submit it in writing. It is suggested that the candidate provide letters of support from faculty and all documentation that would support their request for a waiver.

To teach at this level . . .	you must student teach . . .
Early Childhood/Middle Childhood: Birth to Age 11 (B-11)	in Early Childhood setting; in a kindergarten classroom; and in a 1-6 classroom. Early Childhood Student Teaching is done in a separate time frame from the 18 week (K-Elem) experience.
Early Adolescence: Ages 10-14	in middle school; student teach in at least one minor.
Early Adolescence through Adolescence: Ages 10-21	in middle school.
Early Childhood through Adolescence: Birth to Age 21	student teach in 2 out of 3 levels in major.