The capstone of the Teacher Education Program, student teaching consists of a full semester of teaching experiences in an appropriate classroom setting in a state or nationally accredited public or private school under the supervision of an experienced and highly qualified cooperating teacher. Students seeking certification in a single content area will complete one sixteen-week teaching experience. Students seeking certification at more than one level (K-12) or in more than one content area must student teach for twelve weeks at one level or content area and four weeks at the other level or content area as approved by the Dean of Education or Director of Field Experiences. This culminating field experience enables students to practice and develop the pedagogical skills necessary to meet the Missouri performance standards for teacher certification. Candidates actively participate and complete required assignments, work with students as requested and under the supervision of the classroom teacher, and have the opportunity and responsibility to lead the class over an extended period of time.
Students pursuing credit for the full semester of student teaching through the portfolio credit for prior learning (CPL) process will be observed teaching a minimum of three lessons by a university supervisor and classroom mentor teacher. Candidates will actively participate in the classroom and complete required assignments, with the guidance of the classroom mentor teacher and university supervisor.
Application for Student Teaching and Documents for Placement
After being formally admitted to the Teacher Education program, certification candidates must complete their student teaching (second) interview and apply to student teach. Application for student teaching must be made to the Education Office by November 1 for Spring Student Teaching and by April 1 for Fall Student Teaching. The final decision regarding placement will be left to the discretion of the Director of Field Experiences in order to insure the quality of student teaching experiences in diverse settings. Candidates are required to complete their student teaching experience in the grade level(s) and subject area(s) for which they are seeking recommendation for certification. All other education courses must have been completed satisfactorily prior to beginning student teaching.
Field Experience and Student Teacher Placement Practices Revised 08/2024
International students will need to complete the following Curricular Practical Training (CPT) form which must be submitted to the International Student Office and approved before beginning any field placements.
Curricular Practical Training – School of Education
A completed background check is required by most school districts prior to beginning observations in all field experiences and for student teaching. A new background check is required each semester. All students participating in a field experience or student teaching are required to request a background check through the Family Care Safety Registry of the Department of Health and Senior Services. Visit the website at https://health.mo.gov/safety/fcsr/ to register or for more information. To expedite placement, all students should complete the background check process at the time of the student teaching interview.
Some districts have additional requirements for placement consideration, including current TB test results or valid substitute certificate. Certain districts also have application deadlines which are different from those set by MBU. The following list is subject to change without notice as individual school districts determine which documents they will require for student teaching placement.
For information on applying for a substitute certificate and obtaining an FBI fingerprint background check, which is required for certification, click here to visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
Mandatory FA-24 Student Teaching Orientation will be held Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in Pillsbury Chapel.
Student teachers need to arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. as pictures will be taken beforehand in the Gallery.
MBU requires that you have liability insurance through S-MSTA when you are in the classroom observing or student teaching. S-MSTA membership includes $2,000,000 in liability insurance. There is no cost for membership. Proof of membership must be submitted to the Field Experiences Office on the Main campus prior to beginning your observations, field experience, or student teaching.
- Emergency Contact Information – Fillable Form
- Student Teaching Absence Policy
- Information for Cooperating Teacher July 2024
- Requirements for Student Teachers-Cooperating Teachers-University Supervisors –Updated July 2024
- Assessment Requirements for Graduation & Certification 2024-2025
- Job Search & Certification Information
- Copy of MOASPA ATS
Student Evaluation of Educator Preparation Program
The MBU School of Teacher Education is interested in the feedback of our teacher certification candidates regarding the strengths and weaknesses of our educator preparation program. The Student Evaluation of Educator Preparation Program will be available to complete in Watermark toward the end of the semester. All information is confidential, although we are required to compile all responses and report the aggregated data for accreditation purposes. This evaluation must be completed before we will submit your Application for Certification to DESE. We hope to use the results of your comments and suggestions to improve and strengthen the entire MBU Teacher Education Program.