Clinical Teaching, Residencies and Internships

Clinical teaching is the traditional route. You are placed in a classroom with an experienced mentor teacher. You start by observing, then you take over the teaching. You usually don't get paid. Clinical teaching lasts just one semester and is done after all your courses are complete. 

• Full Time: (6 credit hours): The candidate (undergraduate or graduate) is placed with a cooperating teacher who provides support in effective teaching practices during the clinical teaching experience. Candidates are evaluated and supported by a university field supervisor. Clinical teaching is a one-semester long placement (16 weeks, Monday-Friday, during school operational hours). Clinical teaching begins before the TWU academic semester starts each fall and spring semester.
• Part Time: (3 credit hours for 2 semesters): The candidate (undergraduate or graduate) is placed with a cooperating teacher who provides support in effective teaching practices during the two-semester clinical teaching experience. Candidates are evaluated and supported by a university field supervisor. Part-time clinical teaching is 32 weeks, Monday-Friday, for half the school day. Clinical teaching begins before the TWU academic semester starts each fall and spring semester.

Teacher Residency is a more intensive, long-term version (often a full school year) where you are deeply embedded in a school, almost like a medical resident in a hospital. Typically, you do this while you are finishing your last few classes.

Teacher residency is for undergraduate teacher candidates pursuing a BS in Education degree. 

The yearlong (two semesters) program includes coursework, field-based experience, and clinical teaching. A cooperating teacher and university field supervisor support all candidates for the duration of the residency. (6 credit hours, 2 semesters, Pending partnership with the school district) 

More info on Teacher Residency

A Teacher Internship is a route where you might actually get hired as the full-time teacher of record and get paid a salary, while still being coached and evaluated by your university or program. The Clinical Teaching Internship is only available to graduate student candidates.

Candidates are employed as the teacher of record and complete clinical teaching requirements over the course of two semesters. The candidate is supported by a mentor teacher and university field supervisor. With this option, candidates are required to secure their own position in their certification area. (6 credit hours for 2 semesters)

More info on Teacher Internships

This pathway is only available for candidates (undergraduate or graduate) who are currently an Educational Aide (I, II, or III) and are currently employed by a school district.The Educational Aide with Clinical Teaching option requires the candidate's certification area to match their educational aide position.

Financial support is available for this pathway through the Educational Aide Exemption. Support through the Educational Aide Exemption is only for high-need certification areas.

For more information, see Educational Aide Exemption information. 

Educational Aide with Clinical Student Teaching Application