Clinical Experiences and Student Teaching
Clinical experiences and student teaching provide education majors with the opportunity to link theory to practice.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences are the first exposure to observation, tutoring, assisting, small group and whole class instruction in schools and other agencies. A minimum of 100 clinical hours are earned before student teaching and at least 50 of these hours are completed in diverse settings which are embedded into coursework.
Clinical Experiences are started as early as freshman year and completed before student teaching. Before starting any clinical experience, complete the clinical checklist.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is the capstone of the teacher education process and occurs after clinical experiences when Gateway 1, Gateway 2, and all major course requirements have been met. During student teaching, students steadily increase classroom responsibilities and demonstrate competency in planning, assessment, instruction, and other professional tasks.
Apply to student teaching fall of junior year and complete during final semester. View your options below:
Traditional Student Teaching
Offers more perspectives with clinical experiences and student teaching at separate sites.
- 16-week student teaching placement in Illinois
- 16-week student teaching placement in San Antonio, Texas
- Approximately an eight-week student teaching placement in Illinois combined with an eight-week student teaching placement in Alcala, Spain (must be earning ESL endorsement to be eligible)
Apply to Traditional Student Teaching
Professional Development Schools
Combines Fall clinical experiences, Spring student teaching, college classes, and mentoring at the same site your senior year. For general information about the program, please visit the
PDS website.
- Bloomington: District 87
- Chicago Public Schools
- East Maine District 63
- Elgin: School District U-46
- Normal: McLean County Unit District 5
- Olympia CUSD 16
- Pekin Public School District 108
- Tri-Valley CUSD 3
- Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21