The many field experiences in the K-8 Teacher Education program gradually build upon one another so that students are prepared for the two-semester student teaching experience at the end of the four-year program.

Students begin their education courses and field experiences in their freshman year so that they can learn early in their program about children at different age levels and how to teach them. The field experiences are linked to the courses so that students can connect what they learn from the university classroom to the school classroom and vice versa. The students actively engage with the children in the field and implement activities that they create to satisfy course requirements.

Students work with diverse student populations in a variety of settings during their program. Freshmen and sophomores work with individual and small groups of students in their early field experiences. Juniors teach lessons to entire classes of students during their teaching methods courses. These experiences prepare them for their capstone student teaching experience.

There are three levels of field experiences: Early Field Experiences, Elementary Block (Methods) Field Experiences, and Student Teaching.

Prior to all field experiences, students will need to show proof of a negative tuberculin (TB) test and annually complete a federal criminal background check. The Office of Clinical Studies (OCS) assists students with these clearances and any related questions.