Programs offered through the Education Division provide opportunities for candidates to apply the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for effective professional practice through planned, sequenced and assessed field experiences. The transfer of pedagogical knowledge and skill to professional practice is accomplished through pre-student-teaching field experiences and clinical practice (student teaching) at the initial licensure level and through internship and practicum experiences at the advanced licensure levels.
Field experiences are intended to provide candidates with opportunities to broaden and deepen their understanding of educational theory and integrate this theory with educational practice. Therefore, these experiences:
- Connect candidates with the community and provide them with learning experiences in a variety of educational environments with exposure to diverse cultures and encouraging candidates to celebrate the diversity of students in American schools
- Connect with professional courses and are designed to sequentially complement and expand upon University course content
- Are assigned by the coordinator of Field Experiences and take place in selected educational settings that have written contracts with the University, which serve to establish a professional development relationship
- Typically take place during daytime school hours
- Recognize ISBE and professional standards and follow the state of Illinois and Saint Xavier University Education Division policies
The field experiences associated with each program are noted as part of the course descriptions. Candidates are required to complete all field experience requirements associated with Education Division coursework prior to student teaching (clinical practice).