Clinical Education
Overview
The USF College of Education embraces field and clinical experiences to support and enrich the learning that occurs in your coursework. Being in the field means being in local schools with real students to develop your understanding of how to teach the content with discipline-specific practices.
Clinical experiences allow you to demonstrate skills under the guidance and coaching of clinical instructors while studying how to positively impact the learning of the students you teach. In this way, you will be prepared for the dynamic educational environments you can expect to encounter as a professional educator.
Depending on the program, students may have one or more early field experiences plus a final or culminating clinical experience, or internship. A field experience may also be referred to as: a practicum, early field experience, methods course, level one or level two internship, microteach, or pre-internship. A few programs may also refer to a residency in which back-to-back field experiences occur at a single school site.
All students will perform a final internship, generally in your last semester, in
which you will be responsible for performing all of the duties of a classroom teacher
with the support of multiple clinical instructors.
Be prepared for your first field experience and final internship:
- If required complete the fingerprinting and background check process
- Obtain student liability insurance
- Check out frequently asked questions
- Be aware of Internship Policies and Internship Forms & Guidelines
Throughout these experiences, certain expectations are essential to success. As with all courses taken in the College of Education, there are expectations for your performance along with assessments and opportunities for feedback and coaching on your teaching.
Additionally, there are expectations that your professionalism and disposition meet standards suitable for educators in the State of Florida. Students are expected to adhere to the USF Student Code of Conduct and the Florida Department of Education Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct. Learn more about the Professional Disposition and Ethical Practices Standards from the Ethics and Conduct page.
For any questions related to early field experience, please contact your program coordinator.