Clinical Practice Requirements

As a part of the Clinical Practice Program at Seaver College, teacher candidates complete two early field experience placements and three clinical experience placements aligned with specific courses.

Early Field Experiences

Instructional Design (EDUC 461)

Teacher candidates complete 20 hours of observation and participation in an elementary school classroom.

Educational Foundations (EDUC 462)

Teacher candidates complete 20 hours of observation and participation in a middle or high school classroom.

Clinical Experiences

Clinical Experience 1 (EDUC 501)

Clinical Experience 1 is aligned with Literacy Theory and Methods, Multiple Subject (EDUC 463) or Literacy Theory and Methods, Single Subject (EDUC 464). Teacher candidates complete 50 hours of clinical practice over one semester in an elementary, middle, or high school. They participate actively in classroom activities and complete a case study research project about the literacy development of one student.

Clinical Experience 2 (EDUC 521)

Clinical Experience 2 is aligned with Teaching and Content Area Methods, Multiple Subject (EDUC 510) or Teaching and Content Area Methods, Single Subject (EDUC 520). Teacher candidates complete 160 hours of clinical practice (approximately two or three days a week) over one semester. Candidates are mentored by a classroom teacher and observed six times by a University Field Supervisor. Candidates participate actively in the classroom community by assisting the Mentor Teacher, teaching, assessing, and managing classroom routines.

Clinical Experience 3 (EDUC 531)

Clinical Experience 3 is aligned with Advanced Teaching Methods (EDUC 530). Candidates complete 15 weeks of full time (every day, all day) student teaching, including a four-week period of full teaching takeover or lead co-teaching. Candidates plan and teach lessons; assess student learning; maintain a positive classroom environment; communicate with students' parents; interact with other school faculty and staff; and attend and participate in IEP meetings, professional development, faculty meetings, and parent nights. Candidates are mentored by their Mentor Teacher and observed six times by a University Field Supervisor. During the semester, candidates complete the edTPA, a performance based, subject-specific assessment of planning, teaching, assessing, and analyzing.