For students interested in field experiences: If you have indicated an interest in teacher education at Penn State Behrend, it will be necessary for you to plan carefully to fulfill the field experience requirements. Please read the information detailed below carefully and retain this sheet for future reference.

Penn State Behrend Field Experiences

All candidates for teacher certification are expected to study and practice in settings that include diverse populations, students with disabilities, and students of different ages.

The student is responsible for transportation, housing, professional attire, ACT 48, ACT 151, FBI clearances, a TB test, and professional liability insurance. These responsibilities have financial and legal ramifications. Thus, PLANNING AHEAD IS NECESSARY!

Timeline for Field Experience Courses

  1. CI 295A: Early field experience typically occurs during semester 3.
  2. CI 495A: Middle field experience typically occurs during semester 7.
  3. CI 495D: Student Teaching experience typically occurs during semester 8.

Scheduling Field Experience Courses

  1. CI 295A: The instructor will expect students to attend a mandatory placement meeting the semester before. During that time, registration will be completed.
  2. CI 495A: Students will complete a scheduled interview with the EECE Campus Coordinator before the start of CI 495 to match with their mentor teacher. Professional dress is required for the scheduled interview with the program coordinator. In addition, students will need to complete an application prior to the interview.
  3. CI 495D: Students entering student teaching are required to meet with the EECE Campus Coordinator prior to the student teaching semester. This requirement ensures that all prerequisites have been completed. In addition, the student’s status regarding graduation and certification is also reviewed.

Orientations and Seminars for CI 295A, CI 495A (pre-student teaching), and CI 495D (student teaching)

All courses officially start at the beginning of the semester. Typically, large group orientations or seminars are held prior to entering the placement to communicate valuable information and further prepare students for their entry into schools. These orientations are mandatory for all students entering field placements.

Student Teaching

  • Student teaching is a full-time 15-week credit practicum/seminar block for teacher certification.
  • Student teaching is a full-time activity. Therefore, additional coursework is not permitted. This includes courses described as correspondence, distance education, continuing education, world campus, evening, or weekend courses at Penn State or other institutions. Deferred grades and correspondence courses must be completed before the start of the student teaching experience.
  • Students must arrange their own housing and daily transportation to their assignments.

Assignment Process for All Field Experiences

  • CI 295A Placements are made in cooperation with the instructor.
  • All other placements are procured and assigned by the EECE Campus Coordinator. Students may NOT seek or procure their own placements.
  • Students are assigned only to schools with which Penn State has prior agreements and those to which Penn State Behrend has clinical faculty for supervision. Those agreements change from semester to semester.
  • Living at home is not the primary consideration for determining assignments.
  • Students are permitted to communicate preferences but are by no means guaranteed a specific placement.

The following are not considered reasons for preferential placements in that they do not present “exceptions” but represent the norm.

  • Financial need
  • Housing lease
  • Convenience
  • Living at home
  • Student teaching where you plan to be employed
  • Lack of housing and transportation
  • Family concerns

Student placement assignments are determined using the following criteria:

  • There has been a prior agreement with the school district, and the district has offered placements. The district determines the number of placements.
  • There is a balanced caseload for supervisors in regard to districts and schools.

In the interest of fairness and objectivity, you will not be placed in a school (1) that you attended, (2) where your relatives work, or (3) where your children or other relatives attend.