CLINICAL PRACTICES
Once accepted into the program, candidates are enrolled in clinical experiences, which continue each term, culminating in a full-time student teaching experience. At the program’s conclusion, teaching candidates will have engaged in 800-1000-plus clinical hours depending on their program.
Students in the Traditional Undergraduate (TUG) program take two years of Clinical Practice in the Teacher Education program. The first year is comprised of two part-time experiences that require 90 hours of clinical practice, each; these are termed First Year Experience I and II’. The second year is comprised of two 120-hour field experiences; these are termed ‘major’ and ‘minor’ field experiences. Prior to student teaching, candidates will have completed, minimally, 420 hours of clinical practice.
Candidates in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program engage in 240 hours of Clinical Practice, which prepares them for a 600-hour full-time clinical experience in student teaching.
Candidates in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program engage in 90-190 hours of Clinical Practice, depending on the specialty endorsement chosen.
Candidates in the Master of School Counseling program engage in 600 hours of internship, under the guidance of a licensed school counselor and with support from a Bushnell Field Supervisor. To ensure a full range of experience, the internship is split between an elementary and secondary setting; 300 hours, each. For Track II candidates, an additional 200-hour field placement in a classroom setting is also required.