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Field Experiences

The practicum is the students’ first field experience.  It is a professional partnership between Virginia State University and selected school districts in Central Virginia, which permits students to blend theories learned at the University with actual practices in a classroom.   It is a series of three pre-professional school-based experiences, which occur during students’ freshman, sophomore and junior years. 

Each practicum is a 15-clock hour course under the direction of a licensed certified classroom teacher.  A practicum is not an exclusive observation experience.  On the contrary, it is a highly participatory variety of classroom activities (e.g., tutoring, checking examinations, preparing instructional materials, and providing technology assistance), which encompasses similar duties and responsibilities of a certified teacher’s aide.  Practicum students will neither be placed in charge of a classroom nor permitted to engage in actual teaching.

Click here to access forms related to the practicum field experience.

Student Teaching

The student teaching experience is a direct, substantial and full-day obligation, which spans a minimum of 13 weeks. Standards require the prospective teacher to spend a minum of 200 clock hours in the classroom on a full-time basis. Student teachers gradually assume full teaching responsibility in a classroom under the direct supervision of a cooperating teacher. In addition to classroom activities, student teachers are required to participate in various school-wide activities as deemed appropriate by the cooperating teacher. Student Teaching is an 11-credit hour course. 

Student Teaching Reflective Practice Seminar (EDUC 401)
The companion course to EDUC 402 is Student Teaching Reflective Practice Seminar. This course is a one-credit course that convenes weekly at the University. This is a reflective practice seminar, which explores teaching effectiveness. 

In addition to being admitted to the Teacher Education program, students must submit the Student Teaching Application and meet the following requirements by the deadline:

• C or above in all professional education and content area coursework (no incompletes)
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Completion of the Virginia Reading Assessment if you are seeking an Elementary (prek-3 or preK-6) or a Special Education endorsement
• Passing Praxis II scores

The Student Teaching Application includes the following components:

• Application for Student Teaching (ST-1)
• Application for Student Teaching - Supplement (ST-1S)
• Physician's TB Scrreen/Test Results
• Advisor Certification form (ST-1C)
• Application Cover Letter
• Character Reference Form (ST-1D)
• Resume (ST-1R)
• Certificate verifying completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect online training

Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed and you will be notified of your status in writing. You are advised to register for Student Teaching (EDUC 402) and its companion course Student Teaching Reflective Practice Seminar (EDUC 401). Please note that you must pass Praxis II before you will be allowed to student teach. 

You will receive your student teaching placement in writing no later than the first week of classes.

The Student Teaching Portfolio is a collection of information and artifacts from the Student Teaching experience that demonstrates students' achievement of the VSU Professional Education Program goals and objectives. 

Click here to access forms related to Student Teaching.