Saint Vincent College strives to offer teacher candidates with the best preparation for becoming a teacher. Candidates are required and encouraged to participate in an array of field experiences before their 14-week student teaching. These opportunities are a wonderful compilation of K-12 experiences for candidates to pilot their teaching skills, understand class management, and witness first hand techniques for the classroom. Combined with a candidates early coursework most students have well over 50 hours of hands-on field experience before they are accepted into advanced standing and pre-student teaching.

Select from below to learn more about our field opportunities.

Required Fieldwork Courses	Method Courses and Field Experiences
Field Experience Sites and Opportunities	Pre-Student Teaching
Volunteering and Service	Student Teaching

Field Experience Requirements in Preparatory Courses

Required Introductory Fieldwork Courses – ED 101/207 and ED 206.

ED 101 Observation and Interactive Lab is a structured course that involves in class discussions, case studies and visits to schools in the local area and to one school in Pittsburgh City School District. Students also have the opportunity to work with students in the grade level or specialty area for which they are preparing. This class meets one day per week for approximately three hours.

For students with work or class schedules that conflict with the timing of ED 101, an option is available ED 207 Practicum in Education. This class meets on campus five times during the semester for approximately two hours per class. Students are also required to tutor a student for 20 hours and to shadow a teacher or teachers in a school of their choice.

ED 206 Strategies and Techniques of Instruction Lab: This course is required during or after taking ED 205 Strategies and Techniques of Instruction. This course involves 14 hours of working directly in the capacity of teaching or tutoring. This course is offered on Friday afternoons (1:30 - 2:30, 2:30 - 3:30, 3:30 - 4:30) to correspond with the campus-based Step-Up Enrichment Academy. Students are required to attend four class meetings and then conduct actual courses for K-12 homeschooled students.

Other Method Courses and Field Experience Requirements:

Because fieldwork is an essential part of the preparation required of future teachers, students will also participate in structured fieldwork experiences in all of the methods classes. Course instructors generally require between five to ten related field experience hours and will explain the details of their requirements.