Clinical Teaching

What is Clinical Teaching?

Clinical 1 (Early Field Experience)

During your Clinical 1 semester, (Early Field Experience) you are assigned to a campus and district that you choose for 1 full day a week.  You will observe your mentor teacher at first, then as you slowly become comfortable with the classroom procedures, routines, and content, you will begin to take over tasks and responsibilities while learning from your mentor teachers example.  You will also be assigned a field supervisor to monitor your progress during the semester.  During the EFE semester, you will log 120 hours in the field. You will also be taking your methods courses on the UNTD campus as well. 

Clinical 2

During your Clinical 2 semester, you will be assigned to a campus and district that you choose for 5 full days a week.  You will be in your mentor teachers classroom full time, matching their daily schedule.  You will gradually take over instruction and will be formally observed by your field supervisor 4 times this semester.  At the end of the semester, you will have logged at least 490 hours in the field.  You will also graduate at the end of your clinical experience. 

Preparing for the Clinical Application

Are you ready to apply for clinicals?  Use the checklist below to double check if you are ready. 

When gathering documentation for your clinical application, students must begin their preparation by doing the following:

• Visit with your program coordinator every semester.
• Complete all your CORE courses and all other course work not listed under clinical courses.
  Maintain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA.
• Begin taking Practice representative exams while enrolled in your first semester as an accepted Teacher Education student.
• Representative exams may be taken on demand on canvas.  All representative exams for your certification must be successfully completed with 85% passing rate, prior to seeking approval for real exams. Request a practice test.
• At least (1) One core state certification exam must be successfully completed prior to being admitted to Clinical 1 semester.  All Core state certification exams must be completed to be admitted to Clinical 2.  All exams must be completed prior to the end of Clinical 2 and graduation. 

Applying for Clinical I and Clinical II

When you are ready to apply for Clinical I and Clinical II, complete your application here.

Spring Clinical Admission

Deadline – October 15^th

Fall Clinical Admission

Deadline – April 15^th

Please contact the Clinical Admissions Committee at SOEclinical.field@untdallas.edu with questions or the Director of Clinical Practice at Emily.waneck@untdallas.edu. 

Certification exams required by certification pathways include:

• EC-6/ESL: Core EC-6, PPR, STR, ESL Supplemental
• SpEd: SpEd EC-12, PPR
• EC-6 Bilingual: Core EC-6, PPR, STR, Bilingual Supplemental, BTLPT
• 4-8 Math: 4-8 Math, PPR, ESL Supplemental
• 4-8 SS: 4-8 SS, PPR, ESL Supplemental
• 4-8 Science: 4-8 Science, PPR, ESL Supplemental
• 4-8 ELAR: 4-8 ELAR, PPR, STR, ESL Supplemental
• 7-12 Math: 7-12 Math, PPR
• 7-12 Life Science: 7-12 Life Science, PPR
• 7-12 History: 7-12 History, PPR
• EC-12 LOTE: Spanish: LOTE - Spanish, PPR

** UNT Dallas requires a minimum of 2.75 cumulative GPA to qualify for graduation.

Clinical Application and Registration Clearance

There are two opportunities each academic year to apply for registration clearance for the clinical semesters, October 15, and April 15. Students must complete and submit the clinical application by the due date to be considered for enrollment.  Students must attend Clinical orientation for instructions on registration clearance and placements. 

Applications will go to the Director of Clinical Practice

The Director of Clinical Practice will review the applications using the following criteria for a student to receive an acceptance letter for their respective Clinical semester with traditional (paid or unpaid) student teaching.

Clinical candidate letters will be sent out within 2 weeks of application. 

• October 15 letters will be sent by October 30
• April 15 letters will be sent by April 30

*This date may be earlier for those seeking a paid Residency placement due to ISD deadlines.

Appeals Process

There are always exceptions to the rule, however, these exceptions are rare and implemented when a student is struggling with unusual circumstances such as prolonged illness, ADA approved circumstances such as pregnancy, or events beyond the control of the candidate.

The request for exceptions may be sent by the student to the Director of Clinical Practice.  The Clinical Committee should review the request with an eye on consistency and equity and notify the student and Clinical Director within 14 days of the request.

Please email your letter of appeal to soeclinical.field@untdallas.edu

Are you interested in a Paid Residency?

We currently partner with the following districts for Paid Residency:

DISD - $30,000 paid with full medical and TRS benefits

Red Oak – paid per semester - $15,000 paid per semester

If you are interested in securing a spot in a paid residency, see the conditions below:

• You can only enter into a paid residency with DISD in the fall semester – must apply for clinicals in the spring semester prior – April deadline
• Must have all main exams passed
• Must attend a residency orientation – date and location to be emailed
• Must interview with a campus principal and be hired by the campus
• Must take 2 classes in the summer to lighten the load in the fall semester
• You will be in the classroom when teachers return at the end of July and will report 4 days a week to the campus in the fall semester. In the spring semester, you will be on the campus 5 days a week. 

See the news articles highlighting our residency:

Dallas Morning News - Texas Needs Better Teachers, Here's One Way To Get Them

UNTD News - Teacher Residency Program Launch

Dallas Morning News - UNTD Students Will Work as Teacher Residents in DISD

Clinical Teaching Forms and Resources

For Students:

Code of Ethics Affirmation Form

FERPA Consent to Release Form

Clinical Teacher Handbook

For Mentor Teachers:

Training

Administrator Verification Form

For Field Supervisors:

Field Supervisor Handbook

TTESS Formal Observation Form

Informal Walkthrough Form