College of Education and Social Work

For Teacher Candidates

This office places candidates majoring in early grades (EGP), middle grades (MGP), secondary and special education in their early field and student teaching experiences in 50 school districts located in the Philadelphia area.

PA law requires students to present current criminal clearances to school district administrators at the onset of any field experience. Please allow ample time to obtain all of your clearances.

Mandatory Pre-Registration for Student Teaching

Students majoring in Health and PE, Music, EGP, MGP, Special Education double including Special Education/Content Area and Secondary Education MUST attend a pre-registration meeting one year prior to their student teaching semester.

Any Education major who is eligible for and plans to student teach in the FALL 2025 SEMESTER must attend a pre-registration meeting to receive important student teaching information. Please see below for FALL 2025 student teaching Pre-Registration meeting dates. Notifications for sign-ups will be sent in early October via your WCUPA email.  Meet with your advisor to confirm your FALL 2025 student teaching eligibility. Applying for student teaching is a very important next step in your professional career as an educator. If you do not attend a pre-registration meeting, it will delay your student teaching semester.

FALL 2025 STUDENT TEACHING PRE-REGISTRATION MEETINGS (SYKES THEATRE)

• Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 3:30pm
• Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 5:00pm
• Thursday, October 31, 2024, 3:30pm 

Note: Teacher Candidacy is not required to register for the student teaching process.

Student Teaching Handbooks

The links below provide useful information for student teacher candidates in any education program.

• Student Teaching Handbook - Teacher Candidate Guide
• Student Teaching Handbook - University Supervisor/Mentor Teacher Guide
• Mentor Teacher Honorarium Form
• WCU Substitute Teaching While Student Teaching Policy

The links below provide useful information for student teacher candidates in a specific education program.

• Early and Middle Grades Education
• Special Education

Additional Resources

• EGP 322: Health Assessment Form
• Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA)

Other Information

Clearances Support Process to Schools