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Student Teaching Frequently Asked Questions

When are the deadlines to apply for student teaching?

The date varies; however, students must enroll in student teaching by the end of the 4th week of the semester prior to your student teaching semester,  i.e., students wishing to complete their student teaching requirement during the spring semester must enroll in student teaching by the 4th week of the preceding September. Likewise, students wishing to complete their student teaching requirement during the fall semester must enroll in student teaching by the 4th week of the preceding February.

How do I apply for admission into student teaching?

Pre-Enrollment meetings will be posted on the Professional Development Center website at http://www.twu.edu/cope/pdc.htm in late August and early January. Students must attend one of the Student Teaching Pre-Enrollment Meetings and complete the application process. Completed application must be turned in to:

Coordinator of Student Teaching
Texas Woman's University
Stoddard Hall, Room 202
Denton, TX 76204

How long is student teaching?

Student teaching is 5 days a week for approximately 8 hours a day.  The student teaching semester is 14 weeks long.  

Can I student teach during the summer?

No. Student teaching is only offered during the fall and spring semesters.

Can I find my own student teaching placement?

No.  All student teaching placements are obtained through the TWU Student Teaching Office.  

May I student teach anywhere?

Our students have approximately 33 Independent School Districts (ISDs) within the Denton/Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex from which to choose.  A list of the districts may be obtained in the office of the Coordinator of Student Teaching, Stoddard Hall-202.

Do I have to be admitted into the Teacher Education Program?

Yes, student teachers must be admitted into Texas Woman's University's Teacher Education Program before you will be admitted into the university student teaching program.

How am I admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP)?

Undergraduate students will receive an e-mail from the Student Support Office announcing their admittance into TEP upon completion of the following requirements:  2.75 GPA; TASP/THEA scores of at least 260/Reading, 240/Writing, 240/Math; successful completion of Speech 1013, Drama/Theater course, or an oral screening evaluation; and successful completion of EDUC 2003.

Post Baccalaureate and Graduate students must submit an “Application to the Teacher Certification Program.”  Applications may be obtained from the Student Support Office in Stoddard Hall, Room 211.  Full admission to TEP must be achieved by the semester prior to enrolling in Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) coursework. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours with at least a 2.75 overall GPA must be maintained.  TASP/THEA scores of at least 260/Reading, 240/Writing, 240/Math are required.

What tests are required?

If you are an undergraduate or post baccalaureate (deficiency plan) student you must pass your content area qualifying exam as well as your Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) TExES Qualifying Exam with a score of 75 or above.  If you are a graduate student, you must pass either your state content area TExES exam or your content area TExES qualifying exam with a score of 75 or above AND your Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) TExES Qualifying Exam with a score of 75 or above prior to student teaching.

Can I still apply for student teaching if I haven't taken the content area exam by the application deadline?

Yes, however, as an undergraduate student or a post baccalaureate (deficiency plan) student you must pass your content area TExES qualifying exam with a score of 75 or above before you can student teach. As a graduate student you must pass either your state content area TExES exam or receive a score of 75 or above on your content area TExES qualifying exam.

What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) score required to be eligible for student teaching? 2.75 GPA (overall)

Can I take classes during student teaching?

No. Student teaching is a full-time requirement and all coursework leading to a degree or certification must be completed prior to student teaching.

How many credits will I receive for student teaching?

6 semester credit hours

If I applied previously, what do I need to submit?

You will need to update your file with the coordinator of student teaching by completing a new Student Teaching Application, a Student Teaching Contract, and criminal history authorization forms.

Can I defer admission into the student teaching program?

Yes, however, you must complete student teaching before graduation and before you will be recommended for certification. 

Can I apply for part-time study?

No, student teaching is a full-time requirement. Student teachers keep the same work schedule as their cooperating teacher.

What is expected of me in order to successfully complete my student teaching?

During the Student Teacher Orientation, students will be provided a Student Teacher Handbook for specifics on how he/she will be evaluated. A generic copy of the handbook my be reviewed on this website. In general, student teachers are evaluated on your ability to deliver a comprehensive program of instruction to ensure that students are engaged and learning, your instructional planning and time management, your use of assessments to analyze students' work, and your ability to develop and maintain clear expectations for academic and social behavior.

Do I receive a letter grade for my 6 hours of student teaching? How will student teaching affect my GPA?

A student will receive “CR” (credit) or “F” (fail) for the student teaching semester. Letter grades are not issued; therefore, your student teaching grade will not affect your overall GPA if you receive full credit, “CR”. If you receive an “F”, your overall GPA will lower.

Are there any grants, etc., available while student teaching?