Per Texas Administrative Code (TAC rule 228.35), for initial certification, teacher candidates are required to complete field experiences in school prior to clinical teaching.
Students must be formally admitted into the Teacher Education Program prior to field course enrollment.
- For teacher candidates who are long-term substitutes, up to 12 hours of field-based experience may be satisfied by serving as a long-term substitute. A long-term substitute is an individual who has been hired by a school or district to work at least 30 consecutive days in an assignment as a classroom teacher.
- For teacher candidates who are educational aids, field-based hours may be satisfied at their assigned campus as long as the hours are NOT completed while performing the job of an aide and the instructional or educational activities include:
- Authentic school setting in a public or private school accredited or approved by the TEA;
- Instruction by content certified teachers;
- Actual students in classrooms/instructional settings;
- Content or grade-level specific classrooms/instructional settings.
- For teacher candidates not employed by any district, a minimum of 50 hours is required to be completed in a classroom setting. Students may exceed 50 hours based on semester, instructor, dates and times at the district and within the given field course at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).
Coursework
A minimum of 50 field-based experience hours are required prior to clinical teaching which must be completed in a classroom setting. Instructors of field-based coursework and UTCH (math & science only) will provide further instructions per given semester via UTRGV email.
Review coursework requirements based on your selected program.
| Expectations | 1st Semester in CEP | 2nd Semester in CEP | 3rd Semester in CEP | Clinical Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Experience Hours/Days | 24 Hours **Structure field- Tuesday |
33 Hours **Structure field- Wednesday |
Every weekday for 15 weeks (follow school bell) |
|
| Field-Based Course |
EDSL 3310 | EDCI 3336 | EDCI 4637 |
| Expectations | 1st Semester in CEP | 2nd Semester in CEP | 3rd Semester in CEP | Clinical Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Experience Hours/Days |
½ day from 8:00am to 12:00pm for six weeks |
½ day from 8:00am to 12:00pm for six weeks |
1 extended day from 8:00am to 1:00pm for six weeks |
Every week day for 15 weeks |
| Field-Based Course |
ECED 4391 and ECED 4392 | ECED 4394 and ECED 4315 | ECED 4314 and ECED 4395 | EDCI 4637 |
| Expectations | Clinical Teaching | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Experience Hours/Days | 22 Hours **Structure field- Wednesday |
33 Hours **Structure field- Thursday |
Every weekday for 15 weeks (follow school bell) |
| Field-Based Course | EDUC 3302 | EDUC 3304 | EDUC 4611 |
| Expectations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Field Experience Hours/Days | 25 total hours: 15 in-person and 10 virtual hours | 25 total hours: 15 in person and 10 virtual hours |
| Field-Based Course | Classroom Interactions (UTCH 3302) |
Project Based Instruction (UTCH 3303) |
Roles and Responsibilities
Teacher Candidate is responsible for:
- Communicating directly with instructor and following-up to ensure there are no gaps in communication.
- Frequently monitoring UTRGV email for communication and instructions.
- Completing all district criminal background checks and other procedures to begin field hours.
- Adhering to all district/campus policies.
- Being a source of support for mentor/cooperating teacher(s) and students.
- Fulfilling all course field assignments.