Field Experiences

 Application Deadlines

• Fall: Applications open February 15th and close April 1st (Appeals for late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis until April 27th)
• Winter: Applications open August 15th and close October 1st (Appeals for late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis until October 27th)
• Spring: Applications open November 18th and close January 1st (Appeals for late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis until January 23th)

Application Checklist

1. Review our placement processes and policy carefully. Failure to adhere to our policies may put your placement in jeopardy.
2. Meet with Career Services to prepare your resume for submission with your application.
3. Choose your placement preferences.
4. Submit your application.

The following majors DO NOT Need to Take Field Experience (EFC 330):

• Elementary education
• Early childhood education major
• TeachSTEM
• Physical education and school health (PESH 438 will work as a substitution for EFC 330)

• ***Special Education majors may need to take EFC 330, depending on their catalog year; consult with your academic advisor

Course Description

Field Experience students observe, assist, and reflect upon instructional and school activities for approximately 60 hours over the quarter. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these hours and roles are flexible depending upon the capacity of the mentor teacher’s capacity, and hours can can be completed in a virtual environment. Learn more at the Field Experience course overview

Credits: 2
Repeatable for Credit? No
Grading Basis: S/U

Pre-requisites

• PSY 314 AND either EFC 210 and EFC 310 (or approved Community College course substitution) OR
• EFC 250 (this course is a co-requisite or pre-requisite for EFC 340)
• Application submitted to the Teacher Certification Program, including submitted electronic fingerprints and purchase of liability insurance.
• All students completing an educational endorsement must maintain their program GPA or higher in their Endorsement and Certification majors. Each degree has a required GPA for graduation listed in the candidate's Academic Requirement Report.
• Students must also earn a minimum grade of "C" in all courses required for certification.

Full Quarter or Pre-Fall Field Experience Options

Full Quarter 330 Field Experience courses take place across the 11 weeks of the quarter.  Pre-Fall Field Experience course placements are completed during the first two-three weeks of September, although candidates may also volunteer during the last two weeks of August to help prepare for the start of the school year with approval from their mentor teacher.   

Candidates are required to consistently attend the placement classroom each day of the field experience as follows:

• Full-quarter 330:
  • Candidates are required to set a regular weekly schedule to complete a minimum of 60 hours in the classroom at a time that is mutually agreeable to the candidate, the mentor teacher, and the university supervisor. This will be a regularly scheduled set of hours and will not vary weekly.
  • The schedule will be reported on the Teacher Candidate Weekly Practicum Schedule Agreement, signed by the candidate and the mentor teacher, and submitted to the university supervisor within the first week. The minimum is 6 hours each week over the course of the 10-11 week quarter.
  • Candidates may not start their field experience until they have had their orientation with their university supervisor.
• Pre-fall 330:
  • The condensed Pre-Fall Field Experience is a minimum 2-week, all day field experience.
  • Of those minimum days, at least 10 consecutive school days must be completed starting the first teacher contracted day on or after September 1.
  • The candidate will be present in the field placement at least during the mentor teacher’s contracted hours (which is usually 30 mins before and after school), and therefore will exceed the 60-hour minimum.
  • Candidates will receive a “U” for not meeting the minimum 2-week, all day requirement for Pre-Fall.
  • Candidates’ planned attendance will be reported on the Teacher Candidate Weekly Practicum Schedule Agreement, signed by the candidate and the mentor teacher, and submitted to the university supervisor within the first week of practicum.
  • Candidates may not start their field experience until they have had their orientation with their university supervisor.

Registration

The Office of Field Experiences will enroll you directly into the field course during the quarter in which you apply. If you change your mind and do not wish to take EFC 330, it is your responsibility to drop the course and notify the Office of Field Experiences so that we may cancel your placement application.

If you take the course during the pre-fall period before CWU classes begin in the fall, course credits will be part of your fall quarter credit load.

Financial aid will be charged for Field Experience tuition. If you do not receive financial aid, tuition is due on the same date as regular tuition for the quarter. It is charged at the per-credit rate for the quarter in which you enroll.