In the Teacher Education Program you will be given opportunities to work in real classrooms with students from the moment you are admitted to the program.

We want you to step into your role as a teacher confident and ready to succeed so we require our students to complete significantly more in-classroom experience than rival institutions and state of Iowa requirements. Between practicum opportunities, semester-long student teaching placement, and volunteer experiences, you will have hundreds of hours of experience in the classroom before you have your first full-time teaching job.

In your student teaching placement, you will have the opportunity to have a full-semester, engaging teaching experience in a school setting. While most students complete their placement in the Iowa City area, students have taught in Des Moines, Illinois, and even internationally.

 

Practicum

Practicum refers to any early field experience in the classroom in which students progress toward the student teaching semester.  Individual practicums vary within each program area and range from 5 to over 100 hours.  

Michael Hart teaching young kids
Young boy playing math game with student teacher

Student Teaching

Student Teaching is the culminating field experience of the Teacher Education Program and is an all day, full-semester placement in a school setting. It is generally completed the final fall or spring semester of enrollment. 

Moore outside of Costa Rica school
Student performing an experiment for kids
Student group in India

Students have the opportunity to choose from such destinations as Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England and Wales, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, and Spain.

Practicum Information

According to Iowa Teaching Licensure requirements, a major practicum will need to be completed before you are permitted to student teach. Practicum requirements vary within each program area and range from 80 to over 100 hours.

Elementary Math Practicum (EDTL:3174), is a prerequisite to Elementary Reading Practicum. There are two co-requisites for this course; Methods Elementary School Mathematics (EDTL: 3163) and Classroom Management (EDTL: 3170).

Elementary Reading Practicum (EDTL:3172) is completed the semester prior to student teaching. Both practicums are required for all Elementary Education students.

  • Science has two practicums, the first is a component of EDTL:4751 Introduction to Science Teaching & Practicum with Early Learners. The second practicum is a corequisite of EDTL:4751 Instructional Issues in Teaching Science and the course number is EDTL:4779 Secondary School Science Practicum.
  • Art EDTL:3290 Introduction & Practicum (8 hours per week in the schools)
  • English EDTL:4314 Introduction & Practicum ( 12 hours per week, 4 mornings or afternoons per week)
  • EDTL:4418 ESL Practicum 1 (5-6 hours per week in the schools)
  • Foreign Language EDTL:4406 & EDTL:4407 FL Practicum 1 & 2 (5-6 hours per week in the schools)
  • Mathematics EDTL:3532 Introduction & Practicum (7-8 hours per week in the schools)
  • Music EDTL:3610 Introduction & Practicum (5-6 hours per week in the schools)
  • Social Studies EDTL:4811 Introduction & Practicum (9 hours per week in the schools)
  • Special Education EDTL:6906 Practicum with Exceptional Persons (9 hours per week in the schools). Please email Bobbie Bevins (bobbie-bevins@uiowa.edu) and your advisor with your plans. Follow the Field Experience Office instructions to apply.

All of the above Introduction courses have a seminar as well as a practicum component. For information contact the program coordinator or Bellinda Assemien.

Student Teaching Resources

Student teaching is an all day, full-semester placement in a school setting that is generally completed the final fall or spring semester of enrollment in the teacher education program.  Applications must be submitted one year in advance.  Information regarding student teaching options and the application process are discussed in detail during the elementary or secondary orientation course. 

Student Teaching Handbook

Do not print forms front to back. You may print the entire handbook or just the pages you wish.  The Table of Contents is on page 3, which provides links to all pages.

Download Student Teaching Handbook

 

Student Teaching Semester Calendars

Questions? Contact us!

Our team will help you find placements and experiences to fulfill your requirements and meet your goals.

Bellinda Assemien

Coordinator for Student Field Experiences
N201E Lindquist Center
319-467-1895
bellinda-assemien@uiowa.edu