Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culminating field experience for all teacher education programs leading to initial certification. This experience is considered clinical practice due to its intensive and extended nature. 

During student teaching, candidates are placed in one or more school settings full time, every day, for a minimum of 70 days. Teacher candidates work under the supervision of experienced classroom teachers and university faculty. To ensure high-quality clinical experiences, placements are determined by program faculty using criteria aligned with program goals, accreditation standards, and certification requirements. 

If you are planning to student teach, please review the following information carefully: 

Application Requirement 

• You must apply for student teaching through UK Ed Prep for the term in which you plan to student teach. 
• A $30 application fee will be charged to your UK student billing account. 

Professional Expectations 

• During your student teaching semester, you are expected to follow all rules, policies, calendars, and procedures of your assigned school and district, including those related to student safety and discipline. 
• You must follow your assigned district’s calendar and plan breaks and holidays (e.g., fall break, spring break) according to the district schedule, not the university calendar. 

Coursework During Student Teaching 

• Students may complete up to 3 credit hours of remaining coursework during the student teaching semester. 
• Any approved course must be completed fully online or after 4:00 p.m. and may not interfere with student teaching responsibilities. 

Additional Guidance 

• Detailed expectations and policies are outlined in the Student Teaching Handbook. 

To apply for student teaching, complete the Student Teaching Application through UK Ed Prep.  

• Log in to UK Ed Prep 
• Select Student Teaching Application from the sidebar 
• If you have not yet submitted an application, click on “New Student Teaching  Application” and follow the instructions 
• If you have already started an application, select View Application to check your progress and continue.  

Student teaching applications are due one year prior to the intended student teaching term:  

• Fall Semester: November 15  
• Spring Semester: April 1 

Please note the following:

• Students planning to student teach overseas must submit the UK Ed Prep application and a separate overseas student teaching application located here. 
• Students pursuing MAT, MIC, or MATWL programs will receive alternative application deadlines communicated by the Office of Field Experiences and program faculty.  

Questions? 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of Field Experiences.