Student Teaching

In their final semester, Teacher Candidates in Music Education will complete two student teaching placements of approximately 7 weeks each. Student teaching is a 12-credit pass/fail course, and should be the only course in which a student is enrolled during their final semester. Student teachers are expected to fully participate in the music program of school in which they are placed. The only other obligation during the student teaching semester is a one-hour per week seminar with all other student teachers.

Students apply for student teaching in the spring of the junior year, and may choose between the following options:

1. Elementary and MS
2. Elementary and HS
3. MS and HS

Specific school placements are determined by Music Education faculty. Every attempt is made to place Candidates in programs where they will be successful. In order to do this, some placements may be more than an hour away. Transportation costs (including tolls) are the responsibility of the Candidate

In order to student teach, Candidates must meet the UCTE policy for entry into student teaching by meeting at least one of the following criteria:

1. Earn a GPA of at least 3.0 based on the most recent two years of the candidate’s general education.

2. Achieve an approved “College Ready” score in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

Candidates seeking the GPA option should consult with the Music Department Advisor to determine their most recent 2-year GPA. A candidate whose GPA may be very close to the cutoff point may want to consider entering through the testing option.

Teacher Candidates who choose the testing option must achieve “College Ready” passing scores on a tests the measure the following three areas: reading, writing, and math. Candidates can mix-and-match scores from different tests, where appropriate

The clearances for the student teaching experience vary depending on the location of the placement. The clearances required for Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania are listed below. These clearances must be completed before the first day of student teaching.

Delaware

• Valid criminal background check. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/background-check/

• Cleared TB test completed within one year of the student teaching experience. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/tb-test/

• Child Protection Registry clearance if not already completed (this clearance is only completed once). This clearance can be obtained by submitting a Child Protection Registry Form. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/ocs/Student-Teacher-Child-Protection-Registry-Form0001.pdf

Maryland

• You will need to complete the three above clearances required for the Delaware placements.

• If you will student teach in Harford County, then you will need to complete two additional clearances. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/student-teaching/hartford-county-clearances/

Pennsylvania

• You will need to complete the three above clearances required for the Delaware placements.

• For all Pennsylvania placements you will need to complete additional clearances to student teach in Pennsylvania. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/clearances/student-teaching/pennsylvania-clearances/

For more information, visit the OCS website. http://www.ocs.udel.edu/student-teaching/