Student Teaching

Applications for student teaching must be completed during the spring semester for fall or spring of the following year. Application forms are obtained from the Coordinator of Student Teaching during the month of February and returned by March 1. To be eligible for the student teaching semester, students must have completed the following requirements (16 KAR5:040):

• Admission to, and good standing in, the teacher education program with the required assessments of candidate dispositions on file.
• Completion of 200 hours of pre-student teaching clinical and field experiences. Candidates must fulfill the field experiences required by the Kentucky regulation.
• Presentation of cumulative minimum grade point standing of 2.75 and a 2.75 in the courses in the professional education component, area(s) of specialization, and teaching fields.
• Completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours.
• Completion of prerequisite professional education courses.
• Completion of 75% of the course requirements in each specialization component or teaching field.
• Completion of all courses listed in their professional preparation components, areas of specialization, and teaching fields with a grade of C- or higher.
• Submission of a valid and current record of a medical examination including a tuberculosis test.
• Submission of a clear federal background check through the process required by the Keeran School of Education.
• Maintained adherence to the unit candidate dispositions and the professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Certified Personnel, as defined in 16 KAR 1:020, is required prior to and during the student teaching experience.

Student teaching placements will be made within a 45–mile driving distance (in Kentucky) from the University campus. All student teachers will complete 70 days in their student teaching assignments. Absences for illness or approved extra-curricular activities may not exceed three days. Any absence for illness beyond three days will require a physician’s verification. Any absences for the above reasons will not reduce the 70-day student teaching requirement. Absences beyond three days without a physician’s verification for any reason will lower the student teaching grade. Student teaching is a 12 credit hour program. No other classes (in-class, online, independent study) may be taken during student teaching.