About FP&CE
Our Purpose
Field Placement and Clinical Experiences coordinates the placement of undergraduate students, alternative certification program students, and graduate program students enrolled in educator preparation programs requiring field placements and internships. We work diligently to foster professional and collaborative partnerships with P-12 schools to enhance the teaching profession. Additionally, we are committed to complying with state requirements to secure field experiences, when applicable, that will lead to the appropriate graduation and/or certification requirements.
About Field Experiences
JSU is committed to complying with state and certification requirements. Per the Alabama State Department of Education’s Administrative Code, field experiences in Class B and Alternative Class A programs are composed of the following:
- Prior to internship, a variety of early and ongoing field-based contacts in diverse P-12 schools and other appropriate settings that are provided as part of the instructional program available through observation, study of school situations, assisting in instruction, and supervised teaching that contribute to the understanding and competence of the candidate.
- Extensive field experiences in diverse settings
- Individuals who are employed in positions appropriate to the area of their current program may complete field experiences on the job, but those experiences must be planned with specific purposes and assessments
- The majority of field experiences must occur in P-12 schools
- At least half of the field experiences shall be in the candidate’s teaching field
- For pre-kindergarten education programs, field experiences must span birth through age 4 in both child care and Office of School Readiness programs
- For early childhood education and early childhood special education programs, field experiences shall include placements in at least two of the three main types of early education settings [early school grades (K-3), child care centers and homes, and Office of School Readiness programs]
- For candidates seeking certification in two or more related fields (health and physical education for example), the internship may be divided between the two teaching fields
- For P-12 programs and individuals seeking certification in music education or collaborative special education at both the K-6 and 6-12 levels, the internship shall be divided between early childhood/elementary and middle/secondary grades
Internship
If you are pursuing a Class B or Alternative Class A initial certification degree, visit the Teacher Candidate area of this site, where you will find an assortment of information regarding practicum experience requirements, internship requirements, placements, forms, and the Internship Handbook.
- For early childhood education and early childhood special education programs, field experiences shall include placements in at least two of the three main types of early education settings [early school grades (K-3), child care centers and homes, and Office of School Readiness programs]
- For candidates seeking certification in two or more related fields (health and physical education for example), the internship may be divided between the two teaching fields
- For P-12 programs and individuals seeking certification in music education or collaborative special education at both the K-6 and 6-12 levels, the internship shall be divided between early childhood/elementary and middle/secondary grades
Special Internship provisions for Alternative-A candidates who hold an Interim Employment Certificate:
The following teaching fields require a divided internship unless a 3-hour semester practicum has been completed to meet the divided internship requirements: Early Childhood P-3, Elementary Education K-6, Music Education Vocal and Instrumental P-12, and Physical Education P-12-6/6-12.
Alternative-A programs that require a divided internship include at least one specific practicum course outside of the internship to meet this requirement. Academic departments are responsible for ensuring that candidates employed with a valid IEC meet the divided internship requirements through satisfactory performance in the practicum. Completion of the 3-hour practicum requires a setting appropriate to the teaching field in which the certification is sought. Students employed outside of the 3-hour practicum setting may complete well thought out and intentional assignments in another setting to meet the practicum requirements. The following candidate groups are required to have a divided internship unless a 3-hour practicum has been completed outside of internship to meet the requirement:
1. Employed early childhood education teachers holding a valid IEC.
2. Employed elementary education teachers holding a valid IEC.
3. Employed teachers holding an IEC that spans P-12: music education vocal or Instrumental, physical education.
4. Employed collaborative special education K-6 and 6-12 teachers holding a valid IEC.