Student Teaching at UTD

Student teaching is the capstone course in the professional education sequence at UTD. Students will complete 13 weeks of supervised student teaching in a local school district during the fall or spring semester.  This cooperative venture between UT Dallas and the public schools represents the practical application of the teaching/learning process.

Students will register with UT Dallas for six semester hours of credit in student teaching.  A student teaching fee will be included in the total registration charges.  Students must be registered and payment received (installment payment is an option) before beginning student teaching.  All professional development courses must have been completed, and it is recommended that no other courses be taken during student teaching.

A committee of faculty, administrators, and field placement educators will review all applications for supervised student teaching or post-baccalaureate internships.  To be eligible, student teacher candidates must adhere to high ethical standards, exhibit professional maturity, have acceptable class attendance, and meet the following requirements:

• Adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators as listed in the studnt teacher handbook
• Be officially admitted to the UTD Teacher Certification Program. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 9 semester hours of professional development coursework at UTD in order to register for the student teaching capstone course.
• Pass both required TExES exams prior to student teaching

• Complete all required professional development courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher
• Complete all required course work in teaching specialization with a 2.75 GPA or higher
• Have no grade lower than “C” in any courses required by program
• Have no grade lower than a “B” in Classroom Management, C&I or Methods courses
• Request a school where no family member works or attends
• Have cleared a district criminal background check

Applications for student teaching will be accepted at one of several sign-up sessions held before October 15 each Fall semester and before March 15 each Spring semester.  Students who anticipate being eligible should watch the Teacher Development Center bulletin board and the “Notices” link on the TDC website for sign-up session times and dates.  STUDENT TEACHERS MUST REQUEST A PLACEMENT EARLY DURING THE LONG SEMESTER PRIOR TO STUDENT TEACHING.