Teacher Education Internships
A key part of NSU's Teacher Education Program is completing three field experiences:
These three internships progressively introduce candidates to the world of teaching, building their knowledge, skills, and dispositions as classroom teachers along the way.
What to expect
- Candidates learn to analyze and apply teaching principles in real classrooms in Oklahoma-accredited schools.
- Internships are closely supervised and monitored by the Clinical Education Office, designated NSU faculty, school administrators, and the on-site classroom teacher (Cooperating Teacher).
- Internships are completed concurrently with specific professional education courses, culminating in the Full Internship during the candidate's final semester.
Background Check Requirement
Annual background checks are required for all internship placements. Students without an updated background check will not have access to their placement information.
Teacher Education Handbook
The Teacher Education Handbook contains information regarding how to be fully admitted into the Teacher Education program beyond declaring the major, as well as the three internship experience eligibility requirements.
Contact Clinical Education
918-444-3708
Bagley Hall, Room 227
717 College Avenue
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Pre-Internship I
Pre-Internship I is embedded within EDUC 3313: Clinical Teaching, offering candidates a close-up look at the teaching profession — classroom environments, daily practices, and the role of the school in society.
- Completed 45 credit hours with a 2.75 overall GPA
- Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 3113: Educational Psychology
- Minimum of 8 full days (56 clock hours), once a week during the semester in an Oklahoma public or private K-12 classroom
- Candidates journal their observations and assist under the supervision of the Cooperating Teacher
- Current background check on file
- Pass Checkpoint #1
- See Teacher Education Handbook for full list of requirements
Unique Experiences
NSU offers several distinct paths for completing Pre-Internship I, so candidates can choose the setting that best fits their interests.
A field-based clinical experience in a public, private, or charter PK-12 classroom, paired with weekly NSU class meetings covering EDUC 3313 course topics.
(Teaching & Urban Reform Network)
- Collaborative pairing with top-performing urban schools in the Tulsa area
- Designed for candidates specifically interested in teaching in urban schools
- Immersive, "out of the box" approach joining theory with practice at the school site
- Minimum of 14 full days, once a week, during the semester
- Completes EDUC 3313 and EDUC 3113 co-currently
(Seeking Knowledge & Immersive Learning in a Suburban setting)
- Suburban placement in south Tulsa (Jenks Public Schools) — 1,530 students, 30+ languages
represented
- Opportunity to participate in a STEAM lab and experience a Community School Approach
- Minimum of 14 full days, once a week, during the semester
- Completes EDUC 3313 and EDUC 3113 co-currently
(Reflective Educators Advanced through Community & Hands-On Learning)
- Rural placement with Tahlequah Public Schools
Immersion in a close-knit school community with hands-on, reflective learning - Grounded in the everyday realities of rural education
- Minimum of 14 full days, once a week, during the semester
- Completes EDUC 3313 and EDUC 3113 co-currently
Pre-Internship II
Pre-Internship II (EDUC 4032) is taken in the fall or spring semester just prior to the Full Internship (final semester). This experience provides opportunities for teacher candidates to analyze and synthesize teaching principles in classroom settings.
- Full admission to Teacher Education
- EDUC 3313 and EDUC 3113 completed with a "C" or better
- 2.5 GPA overall, in major content area, and in professional education core classes
- Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of EDUC 4823 and SPED 4433 with a "C" or better
- Application submitted the semester prior (available mid-October for spring, mid-March for fall)
- Complete ten (10) full days (70 instructional clock hours) in a field-based experience
- Continue a reflective journal of the field-based experience
- Attend four required class sessions during the semester
- Teach a minimum of three different and distinct lessons
- Register for the Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT)
- Pass Checkpoint #2
- See Teacher Education Handbook for fill list of requirements
Unique Experiences
NSU offers several distinct paths for completing Pre-Internship II, so candidates can choose the option that best fits their goals heading into Full Internship.
Ten full days of interning, typically one full day per week, during the hours of the
teacher's school day
- Traditional I: candidates stay in the same district for Full Internship
- Traditional II: candidates intern in a different school with a different Cooperating Teacher for Full Internship
Northeastern's Enhanced eXperience in Teaching (NEXT I and NEXT II)
- Candidates complete more than the required 10 days, attending internship at least two full days per week for 14–16 weeks
- A University Coordinator observes one lesson and provides feedback during the semester
- NEXT I: candidates return to the same school/teacher for Full Internship
- NEXT II: candidates experience a different school/teacher for Full Internship
Full Internship
The Full Internship (student teaching) semester is be completed in the candidate's final semester. Candidates implement the knowledge, skills, and dispositions learned throughout the teacher education program, assuming full responsibility for the direction and guidance of student learning.
- Application submitted the semester prior to Full Internship, including a Full Internship Program interview with a university coordinator
- Successful completion of all other coursework (General Education, Major, Professional Education, etc.)
- 2.50 GPA overall, in major content area, and in professional education core classes
- Attended Full Internship Orientation Seminar the semester prior
- Passed Checkpoint #2
- See Teacher Education Handbook for full list of eligibility requirements
- Complete 80 days (560 instructional clock hours) in a field-based PK-12 classroom
- Register for the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) exam
- Undergo multiple lesson observations by coordinators, faculty, and peers
- Complete the CPAST Portfolio
- Co-currently complete EDUC 4044/4054, 4064/4074, 4172, and 4252
Unique Experiences
NSU offers several Full Internship placement options.
- 16-week internship, 5 days per week, for a total of 560 instructional clock hours
- Candidates follow the same daily schedule and school calendar as their Cooperating Teacher
- 4 days per week, 7 hours per day, over 14 weeks (392 hours, not including seminar hours)
- Split-internship option available for select K-12 majors (8 weeks + 6 weeks, 4 days per week each half)
- 5 days per week, 7 hours per day, over 12 weeks (420 hours, not including seminar hours)
- Split-internship option available for select K-12 majors (7 weeks + 5 weeks, 5 days per week each half)
