Student Teaching

What is it?

Student teaching is considered a Stage IV field experience.  Student teaching is a 16-week, semester-long clinical practice in which you will demonstrate your proficiency in each of the Shippensburg University Standards for Those Preparing to Teach, Lead, or Counsel in Public Schools.  All information and competencies required and expected by not only Shippensburg University, but the Department of Education, are outlined within this linked website. Please ensure that you review this information prior to your student teaching semester. 

What materials will I need to review prior to and during my student teaching semester?

To explore the process and details of student teaching at Shippensburg University, kindly utilize the tabs provided on the left-hand navigation panel. Additionally, we strongly advise you to review the information disseminated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) concerning regulations, certification, and standards applicable to student teachers and subsequently certified teachers in your particular specialization area. Familiarizing yourself with these materials is an ethical obligation once you begin your professional career.

The Office of Partnerships, Professional Experiences, and Outreach (OPPEO) is responsible for managing field work and placement requests related to teacher preparation programs at our campus. To obtain the most accurate and current information regarding handbooks and clearances for students, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors, we recommend accessing the resources available on the OPPEO webpage.