Field Experiences

The education programs are organized into a sequence of blocks that consist of education coursework. As a core component of each block, candidates engage in hands-on field experiences as early as Block II. All teacher candidates must complete a minimum of 100 hours (150 hours for our dual certification majors) of field experience, as part of the education coursework, prior to student teaching. The field experience allows candidates to gain practical experience through application of the knowledge from coursework.

Early Childhood and Childhood Education and Childhood with Special Education

Early field experiences in Blocks II and III involve class visits to schools, where candidates are engaged in observation and assisting in classroom activities. 

Later field experiences in Blocks IV and V, called practica, are paired or individual placements and provide candidates with the opportunity to teach lessons to individual students and/or small groups.

To be eligible for Block IV and Block V practica, candidates must:

• have completed all prerequisite courses in education
• be registered in all of the courses for the Block
• keep time available as designated in the Master Schedule for field experience visits
• be accepted as candidates by the School of Education
• have satisfactory academic standing

Adolescence Education

Early field experiences in Block II involve class visits to schools, where candidates are engaged in observation and assisting in classroom activities. Additionally, candidates will be responsible for seeking a practicum placement, which should take place during the fall semester in which they are enrolled in Block II or during the intersession between Blocks II and III.

EDUC 215 also has a field experience component in which candidates will work one-on-one or with small groups of students. These placements may be arranged by the Office of Field Experiences or candidates may choose to make their own arrangements.

Any field experience arrangements made by a candidate (for Block II or EDUC 215) must be pre-approved by the Coordinator of Field Placements.

Later field experience in Block III, called practicum, are paired or individual placements and provide candidates with the opportunity to teach lessons to individual students and/or small groups.

To be eligible for Block III practicum, candidates must:

• have completed all prerequisite courses in education
• be registered in all of the courses for the Block
• keep time available as designated in the Master Schedule for field experience visits
• be accepted as candidates by the School of Education
• have satisfactory academic standing

Additional Information

• Additional volunteer experiences in educational settings throughout the year are publicized as they become available.
• Placements are made within a 50-mile radius of SUNY Geneseo.
• All candidates are responsible for arranging their own transportation for field experiences.