In our education program, early field experiences and practicum are associated with education coursework. The nature and location of these experiences are dependent upon the course and program outcomes. Each experience will be outlined in the course syllabus and is directed by the course instructor. Due to the nature of the course outcomes, some field experiences are entire class visits to a single school site, whereas some courses will involve students in various schools and districts. For additional information for program-specific field experiences, please refer to the academic program page.

The Office of Field Experiences collaborates directly with the course instructor to arrange placements with local p-12 school partners within a 50-mile radius of Geneseo. Some notable school partners include Geneseo Central, Gates Chili CSD, Monroe-1 and Genesee Valley BOCES, Mt. Morris CSD, Rochester City School District, and Rush-Henrietta CSD. Course instructors provide teacher candidates with their field placement information; please note, each course instructor has their own timeline and process for communicating that information.

Teacher candidates are responsible for making arrangements regarding transportation to school sites for field experiences. The Office of Field Experiences cannot make transportation arrangements nor are transportation needs a factor in making placements. SUNY Geneseo assumes no responsibility for transportation or for expenses incurred during transportation to the site.

All teacher education programs include a clinical/field component. If you have been convicted of a felony or other criminal charge, your criminal history record may impede your ability to complete this program and/or become a NYS certified teacher. For more information, please review the SUNY Geneseo policy.

Early field experiences are initial, supervised, experience in a classroom setting. This is generally where a teacher candidate will observe with a purpose and may include some planning and instruction. 

Practicum experiences are in-depth, supervised, practical experience in a classroom setting in which a teacher candidate begins to mirror the roles and responsibilities of the school-based teacher educator (host teacher).