Office of Clinical Practice - FAQs

What is fieldwork?
Fieldwork experience is defined by the New York State Commission of Education as “direct observation of teaching, participation in teaching or teaching itself that is related to the teacher education program.” You will complete most of your fieldwork in school settings, however, some courses may require attendance at community-based settings or museums. Your fieldwork placement should align with the requirements of each course, so review your syllabus and ask your professor what is appropriate.

When do I do fieldwork?
You will be required to do fieldwork almost every semester for almost every course offered as part of your SOE program. Each semester your school visit schedule will be determined by your class and work schedule as well as the availability of the cooperating teacher or school agreeing to host you. When you schedule fieldwork at the beginning of the semester, plan for the total hours you require. Be respectful of the agreement with our host school and be prompt and reliable!

How many hours do I have to complete?
Each course has its own requirements from 10 to 45 hours of fieldwork. Almost every course in every program has a fieldwork requirement. Students must complete at least 100 clock hours of fieldwork prior to beginning student teaching in order to meet New York State certification requirements. The City College School of Education may require more than 100 hours as you complete your program.

If I complete 100 hours, am I still required to complete fieldwork for my remaining courses?
Yes.
Fieldwork hours associated with each class scaffold particular assignments.  Fieldwork hours cannot be “banked.”  The 100 hours is the state’s minimum requirement; CCNY SOE can determine requirements that exceed NYSED’s minimum.

Is fingerprinting required for fieldwork?
Yes.
The New York City Public Schools (NYPCS) requires that all college students placed at a public school complete the background check associated with fingerprinting. Students obtain security clearance to complete clinical experiences (fieldwork or student teaching) in a NYCPS through the Personnel Eligibility Tracking System (PETS).
You will be required to complete an application to obtain clearance. Visit the OCP, NAC 3/227, with your original Social Security Card and other form of government-issued identification (passport, driver license, non-driver ID, learner’s permit) to begin the application. 

What happens if I don’t complete the fingerprinting process for fieldwork?
NYCPS administrators will not accept any fieldwork candidate who has not been fingerprinted, therefore, the Office of Clinical Practice will delay confirming placement until PETS eligibility has been established.
In addition, students who have not been fingerprinted may be prevented from registering.  Students who are notified of admission to the CCNY School of Education as of Spring 2024 are required to be fingerprinted during their first semester. After the first semester, an advisement hold will prevent students from registering for courses.

How and when do I get placed?
As part of a brief conversation to determine your placement needs, you must visit the Office of Clinical Practice to fill out Placement Request Form. When you are there you will also be asked to complete a brief digital form.
Complete the application in the beginning of the semester. The OCP coordinates student fieldwork placements with our partner schools in the beginning of the semester to accommodate their scheduling as well as yours. Placements toward the end of the semester are more difficult to secure.

How is fieldwork documented?
You will complete a separate Fieldwork Timesheet for each class. Throughout the semester, record your activities and hours on the timesheet and have the cooperating teacher initial after each visit. At the end of the semester, obtain a signature from the cooperating teacher and the CCNY course instructor. Retain a copy of the timesheet for your records and submit the original to the Office of Clinical Practice. Please note, the OCP and our technical support are developing digital options for this process, but until they are piloted and implemented, we require hard copies of your timesheets.

What if I don’t submit fieldwork timesheets to the Office of Clinical Practice?
Your fieldwork hours are calculated as a condition of student teaching. If you have not routinely submitted your timesheets your approval for student teaching may be affected.

What is it important?

• Apply early to start your fieldwork early in the semester when it is most useful for coursework. Applying late may delay your placement.
• Maintain timely notes on your timesheet (Fieldwork and Student Teaching). Recording notes each day you are in the classroom will ensure accuracy and honesty.
• Request initials from your cooperating teacher (CT) each day and signatures at the end of the month (Student Teaching) or when you’ve completed your hours and course-related assignments (Fieldwork).
• Maintain accurate notes. Correct errors on handwritten timesheets by making a single line through the incorrect note and asking the CT to initial it. Never use whiteout or try to cross something out entirely because timesheets are legal documents and must be transparent to the auditor. Never add notes to a timesheet once it has been signed. And never forge a CT’s signature or initials because that is a violation of the law and the code of ethics.
• Always submit your original timesheets to the Office of Clinical Practice after making a copy for your files.
   

Is there a deadline for student teaching?
Applications for student teaching for the fall semester are due April 15 each year.
Applications for the spring semester are due November 15 each year.
Late applications must be approved by advisors within your program.

How do I apply for student teaching?
Student teaching is the culminating experience in your teacher education program and should be completed during your last term at the college. There is an application form available from the Office of Clinical Practice. In addition to completing the application, make an appointment with your academic advisor. If you have questions about the process, you may also contact the Office of Clinical Practice (OCP) and speak with one of our staff (212-650-6915) or email ZThomas@ccny.cuny.edu to request a pdf of the application form.

Are there specific exams required?
NYSTCE exams are not a prerequisite for student teaching. New York State Certification Exams are recommended to ensure that certification follows the completion of your student teaching program. Ask your program advisor for optimal times to take the Content Specialty Test (CST) and the Education All Students (EAS) based upon your course sequence. 

How do I register for student teaching?
Permission to register in CUNYfirst for student teaching, student teaching seminar, and Friday workshops will be emailed to you by the Office of Clinical Practice after you have been approved for student teaching by the Committee on Academic Progress. You will be responsible for registering for any other courses during the regular registration period. It is highly recommended that you do not take more than one course with student teaching due to the workload.

How are student teachers placed?
When the OCP selects placements for student teachers we take many elements into account: travel time, quality of the school, college supervisor match, and cooperating teacher match.

Can I choose my own site?
While students cannot self-place, student preferences and requests are taken into consideration.

How much time is required for student teaching?
Seventy days of student teaching is required for all undergraduate programs, and all initial certification candidates. Days or hours for the other graduate programs vary according to certification stream and previous certifications.

What happens if I am ineligible?
If your application has been denied, you may see your advisor for next steps. The letter from the OCP generally states why your application has been denied. If you feel that your application was unjustly considered, you may appeal to the Committee of Course and Standing.

Must I be fingerprinted to student teach?
Yes, all approved student teachers must be fingerprinted to be eligible. Most students begin their fingerprinting process while completing fieldwork. If you are not fingerprinted and registered through the CCNY SOE OCP, begin this process in the semester preceding your student teaching semester. For an appointment, email Noris Rodriguez at nrodriguez1@ccny.cuny.edu .

How will I be prepared for my student teaching semester?
Attend the student teaching orientation for your program to learn about the Code of Ethics, Student Teaching/Practicum Timesheets, the Gradual Release Plan, and grading policy.