About Student Teaching

Frequently Asked Questions about Student Teaching

Student teaching is an extremely important component of the certification program. The primary purpose of student teaching is to learn to apply what was learned in university courses to the professional setting (i.e., an actual classroom). It is expected that the student teaching component of the Certification program will be completed through UTSA.

1. When am I eligible to student teach?
You are eligible to student teach when you have been admitted to the Teacher Certification program, have completed all prerequisite courses, and have maintained an appropriate GPA. Please consult your advisor and your catalog for specific details regarding your eligibility.

2. How do I apply for student teaching?
A meeting will be held early in the semester prior to your student teaching semester to explain the application form and procedures. Student teaching applications will be distributed and questions will be answered at the meeting. Look for the meeting announcement on the student teaching website: http://coehd.utsa.edu/Students/StudentTeaching/index

The deadline to apply for Fall student teaching is February 15 and the deadline to apply for Spring student teaching is October 1.

3. How will I know if I've been accepted to student teach?
Student Teacher applicants’ records will be reviewed at the close of the semester prior to student teaching. If you are determined to be ineligible for student teaching you will receive a Denial Letter stating the reason you’ve been denied for student teaching. If you are eligible for student teaching, you will not receive a letter or any other notice from the student teaching office. If you have questions about your eligibility to student teach, contact your advisor or the Student Teaching office.

4. Where can I student teach?
UTSA works with most school districts in the San Antonio area. Placements are not available in private schools or charter schools. At the meeting to explain the application procedures, you will be given a list of available districts. It is expected that the student teaching component of the certification program will be completed through UTSA.

5. Can I work and student teach? Can I take another class and student teach?
Student teaching is a full time commitment. Once you have been placed in a school, the children in the classroom to which you've been assigned will be depending on you for instruction and guidance. Therefore, you are strongly discouraged from working and/or taking additional classes during the student teaching semester. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to enroll in additional coursework during the student teaching semester that exceeds six semester credit hours or in classes that meet during the regular instructional day.

6. When will I find out where I'm student teaching?
You will meet with the Director of Student Teaching on the first day of class for the semester in which you are student teaching. At that meeting you will be provided with the name of your school and cooperating teacher. Check the student teaching website approximately three weeks before the start of the semester for details concerning date, time, and place of the First Day Meeting.

7. For which student teaching class should I register?
Approximately one week before registration begins, pick up or download from the student teaching website a “Student Teaching Packet”. Because the actual student teaching section for which you register will vary by Certification levels, the Student Teaching Packet will provide you with details concerning specific course, section and course reference number.

8. What if I have questions about student teaching?
You may call the Office of Student Teaching at 458-5420 or visit the Student Teaching Office, Main Building 0.500.