You are here

Field & Clinical Experiences

Strong partnerships with local schools ensure outstanding field and clinical options emphasizing the personal touch with experienced and caring classroom teachers. Experiences are also provided in a wide variety of classroom settings to ensure students have opportunities to work with a wide range of diverse students. Observation experiences are completed during the introductory courses, practicum experiences are completed during block or methods courses, and student teaching serves as a capstone experience for a certification program.

Observations serve as a valuable means of exploring the different certification areas available to students and help students determine if teaching is a viable career choice. Practicum experiences provide candidates with valuable real-world experience in planning and carrying out classroom instruction, while student teaching requires that candidates actually carry out the responsibilities of a classroom teacher.

All Young Harris College Teacher Preparation Program field and clinical experiences are provided in a caring, supportive environment with the intent of providing the greatest possible chance for successful completion of programs and entrance into teaching careers.

Candidates for Early Childhood certification complete field experiences in grades PK-K, 1-3 and 4-5. Candidates for Middle Grades certification complete field experiences in grades 4-5 and 6-8. Candidates for P-12 certification complete field experiences in grades PK-K, 1-3, 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Candidates for certification in secondary fields complete field experiences in their fields of certification in grades 6-8 and 9-12.

All candidates are required to complete field and clinical experiences within diverse settings including, but not limited to socioeconomic, exceptionalities, ethnic and racial backgrounds, students with special needs and English language learners.

Proof of liability insurance and a current criminal records check are necessary for candidates before placement in field and clinical experiences.