General Student Teaching Information
All placements will be made by the Department of Special Education through the student teaching coordinator. Placements are made upon availability of placements and experience already gained in practicum.
Requesting a placement does not guarantee that placement; only that it will be considered. Once placements have been assigned, students cannot change them. Appeals may be made to the Department of Special Education regarding the placement. University students are not to contact schools for the purpose of making student teaching arrangements or placements.
Darcie Peterson, our student teaching coordinator conducts an orientation meeting at the end of the semester prior to student teaching. At this meeting, students are given their student teaching placement, as well as information about student teaching requirements.
Student teachers whose emphasis areas are in SPED will register for 15 credits of SPED 5200. When students register for SPED 5200, they will be charged a student teaching fee ($300.00). $200.00 of this fee goes directly to the cooperating teacher as an honorarium. The other $100 covers materials, workshop fees and supervision associated with the student teaching placement.
Composite majors with Elementary or Secondary Education should register for SPED 5210 for 6 credits. Students with a previous teaching license should register for SPED 6030 for 6 credits. The course fee for either course is $150.00, $100 of this fee goes directly to the cooperating teacher. The other $50 covers materials and a workshop fee associated with student teaching placement.
Student teachers should arrange all financial and personal problems to clear his/her program for the semester of student teaching.
Student teachers are responsible for his/her own transportation during student teaching.
Prerequisites
To be completed prior to sumbitting a student teaching application
- Admitted to teacher education
- Professional education courses (13 - 18 hours, must earn C or above for each class)
- Major courses (44 - 48 hours, must earn C or above for each class)
- Pass College of Education and Human Services Writing Exam
- Speech and hearing test
- Current background check
- Pass Special Education Department Math Test
- Successfully complete the appropriate PRAXIS exam
- Apply for a Student Teaching license from the Utah State Office of Education.
Click on "Student Licenses." The cost is $25
- Read this document in its entirety
Student Teaching Application Process
The application process must be completed well in advance. It is wise for potential student teachers to begin the application process early to allow for technical difficulties. Deadlines for completing the application and submitting all supporting documents occur during semester prior to student teaching.
- To student teach during spring semester, submit everything prior to: October 1st
- To student teach during fall semester, submit everything prior to: March 1st
- Supporting documentation can be mailed or sent as email attachments to Darcie Peterson.
Darcie Peterson
Student Teaching Coordinator
Department of Special Education & Rehabilitation
2865 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-2865
The Application process consists of six parts:
- Supporting Documentation: Personal Data Sheet - This information is given to your cooperating teacher, principal & district special education director. Download the Personal Data Sheet by clicking on the format that you prefer:
And submit a copy of the completed form to Darcie.
- Supporting Documentation: Current USU transcript - Either an official or un-official transcript is acceptable. Visit ACCESS to get a copy of your un-official transcript for free. Either print out a hard-copy, or save an electronic-copy as a .txt text file and send it to Darcie.
- Submit to Darcie's office a copy of your Praxis scores - This includes a copy of the front and back pages of the test results.
- Submit to Darcie's office proof of the professional development requirement - i.e., proof of CEC membership, proof of ACRES membership, service with Special Olympics, etc.)
- Student Teaching License - Submit a copy of your student teaching license to Darcie's office.
- Online Application - Log In and complete this application prior to the dates listed above.
Out of Area Placements / Student Teaching on the Job
Out-of-area student teaching is defined as student teaching in any Utah School District location other than Cache or Logan City Districts, or districts in other states (students who have taken their special education courses at one of the extension sites are exempt from this requirement). If you suspect you fall within this category, please view our Out-of-area student teaching policy, and complete the necessary forms. Please note: To complete the Out-of-area placement application process, it is necessary to submit these forms in addition to the forms required of all student teaching applications, which are listed in the paragraph above. The deadlines for out-of-area placements are the same for regular placements:
- To student teach during spring semester, submit everything prior to: October 1st
- To student teach during fall semester, submit everything prior to: March 1st
Student Teaching on the Job is a two semester commitment. The student teaching portfolio is completed the second semester. Students must apply and be approved for on the job student teaching before applying for a position within a school district. If a district needs a student to student teach on the job, they contact Darcie Peterson, the student teaching coordinator to determine if qualified applicants are available.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Darcie Peterson.
