Field Experience

Gain valuable hands-on classroom experience at BHSU. Our field experience and student teaching programs prepare you for a successful career in education with real-world practice.

Accreditation and Licensure Information College of Education Admission

All field experience placements are made by the Office of Field Experience in collaboration with P-12 schools.

Field Experience Process Update

BHSU has transitioned field experience documentation to Watermark. Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should now complete required forms, evaluations, observations, and documentation through Watermark rather than the previous online links. Please review the training resources below and log in regularly to monitor and complete assigned tasks.

New! Field Experience Documentation Now in Watermark

 Watermark logo

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Access Watermark:

Why the Change?

Watermark Provides:

  • One centralized location for field experience activities
  • Easier tracking of placements and required documentation
  • Electronic completion and submission of forms
  • Improved communication among Students, Clinical Educators and University Supervisors
  • Real-time monitoring of progress and completion requirements

 

For Students

Getting Started Log in to Watermark using your university credentials.

  1. Review your placement information.
  2. Complete any required placement packet documentation.
  3. Submit logs, assignments, and evaluations through Watermark as directed.
  4. Check Watermark regularly for notifications and required actions.

Need Help? Contact the Office of Field Experiences at Kellie.Hatch@BHSU.edu

Watermark Help Page 

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Pre-Admission Teaching Practicum

Students observe and assist a classroom teacher for a minimum of 40 hours. This practicum is designed for all education students prior to their admission into the College of Education's Professional Teacher Preparation Program. It is designed to give candidates the opportunity to see a classroom from a teacher's perspective and to begin interacting with students in real PK-12 classrooms.

Resources & Responsibilities for completing forms during pre-admission to the BHSU College of Education Educator Preparation Program (EPP):

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo

Resources & Responsibilities for completing forms during pre-admission to the BHSU College of Education Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Program:

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo

Resources & Responsibilities for completing forms during pre-admission to the BHSU College of Education Educator Preparation Program (EPP):

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo
 

Pre-Student Teaching Practicum

All education major candidates take this practicum in the semester immediately prior to the student teaching semester. The course consist of various contact hours (depending on the candidate's teaching major) and has increased requirements including the planning and teaching of lessons under the guidance of the clinical educator/cooperating teacher. During this practicum, students experience real classroom conditions and continue to develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in preparation for student teaching.

Resources & Responsibilities for the first semester [METHODS BLOCK] of the one-year residency program for ELED Pre-Student Teaching Practicum:

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo

Resources & Responsibilities for completing the Early Childhood Education Pre-Student Teaching Practicum:

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo

Resources & Responsibilities for completing the Secondary Education Pre-Student Teaching Practicum:

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo

Resources & Responsibilities for completing the Special Education Pre-Student Teaching Practicum:

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo
 

Resources & Responsibilities for completing the Project SECOND Pre-Student Teaching Practicum:

 

Beginning in Spring 2027 semester, all field experience documentation, evaluations, hours logs, and placement-related forms will be completed through Watermark. 

Students, Clinical Educators, and University Supervisors should use Watermark rather than previous online forms and submission links.

Watermark logo
 

Student Teaching Internship 

This is an experience lasting a minimum of 16 weeks in PK-12 classroom during which the student teacher works under the direct supervision of a master teacher. During this experience the student teacher gradually assumes full responsibility for the classroom. Students majoring in elementary or secondary education complete this experience in a single classroom. Students in K-12 majors and students with two majors complete this experience in two different classrooms at two different levels (elementary, middle, or high school).

Watermark will be used to complete and submit all forms: [Log in to Watermark]

Responsibilities of the Clinical Educator

Student Teaching Internship Handbook

At the beginning of the internship:

  • Initial visit - meet with the university supervisor and intern to review the handbook, responsibilities, co-teaching strategies, website, and plan the schedule of visits.
  • Attend Clinical Educator Orientation

During the internship:

  • Diversity 4.d.2 Form: classroom data collected to ensure interns have experiences in diverse settings
  • Weekly Conference Form: for identifying strengths and areas to solidify; these forms are also sent to the Office of Field Experiences and may be used for conferencing during observation debriefings and cross-referenced with leave forms
  • Formative Evaluation of Intern Form: Details on when to evaluate the candidates are specific to each phase of the internship. See guidance in the Student Teaching Internship Handbook.
    • For a 16-week placement
      • Two evaluations during phase two
      • Two evaluations during phase three
    • For a 10-week placement
      • Three evaluations during the 10 weeks as follow
        • One evaluation during phase two
        • Two evaluations during phase three
    • For an 8-week placement
      • Two evaluations for each placement
        • One evaluation during phase two
        • One evaluation during phase three
    • Additional as needed

 By the end of the internship:

  • Professional Dispositions Assessment (PDA)
  • Internship Final Appraisal Form: this is the summative evaluation of overall achievement by the Intern based on required formative observations. This is the only document to be shared with school district as reference if requested
  • Internship Recommended Final Grade Report – will be signed by all

Other documents and forms: 

  • Lesson Plan Format
  • Leave of Absence
  • Plan of Assistance Form: to be approved by the Director of Field Experiences with the collaboration of the University Supervisor - if needed

Getting Started:

  • Watch the Watermark training video below.
  • Follow the login instructions provided by BHSU.
  • Complete evaluations by the due dates listed in Watermark.

Watermark will be used to complete and submit all forms

Responsibilities of the University Supervisor

Student Teaching Internship Handbook

At the beginning of the internship:

  • Attend Orientation Meeting & meet with intern(s)
  • Initial visit - Meet with the clinical educator and intern to discuss the Co-Teaching Strategies, the Field Experience Website, and plan the observation schedule. (University Supervisor completes this form online)

During the internship:

  • Formative Evaluation of Intern Form: Details on when to evaluate the candidates are specific to each phase of the internship. See guidance in the Student Teaching Internship Handbook.
    • For a 16-week placement
      • Two evaluations during phase two
      • Two evaluations during phase three
    • For a 10-week placement and international placements
      • Three evaluations during the 10 weeks as follow
        • One evaluation during phase two
        • Two evaluations during phase three
    • For an 8 week placement
      • Two evaluations for each placement
        • One evaluation during phase two
        • One evaluation during phase three
    • Additional as needed

By the end of the internship:

  • Internship Recommended Final Grade Report – will be signed by all
  • Professional Dispositions Assessment (PDA)

Other documents and forms: 

  • Lesson Plan Format
  • Leave of Absence
  • Plan of Assistance Form: to be approved by the Director of Field Experiences with the collaboration of the University Supervisor - if needed

Getting Started:

  • Watch the Watermark training video below.
  • Follow the login instructions provided by BHSU.
  • Complete evaluations by the due dates listed in Watermark.

Watermark will be used to complete and submit all forms: [Log in to Watermark]

Responsibilities of the Student Intern

Student Teaching Internship Handbook

At the beginning of the internship:

  • Attend Orientation Meeting
  • Initial Interview with Clinical Educator
  • Self Report: Diversity of Faculty/Clinical Educators (4.b)
  • Self Report: Diversity of University Peers (4.c)
  • After your initial visit with the Clinical Educator and University Supervisor, your supervisor completes the form online (page 34)

During the internship:

  • Leave of Absence: to be used for all absences (professional, sick, and personal)
  • Weekly Conference Form: for identifying strengths and areas to solidify; these forms are also sent to the Office of Field Experiences and may be used for conferencing during observation debriefings and cross-referenced with leave forms [Student Weekly Conference Tracking Form]
  • Lesson Plan Format: to be used for all required formative observations
  • You will be evaluated by the University Supervisor and Clinical Educator
    • 4 each for interns in a 16-week placement
    • 3 each for interns in a 10-week placement
    • 2 each for interns in an 8-week placement
    • Additional evaluations as needed

By the end of the internship: 

  • Professional Dispositions Assessment Form (PDA) self-evaluation
  • Diversity 4.d.1
  • Evaluation of the Clinical Educator (one for each placement)
  • Evaluation of the University Supervisor (one for each supervisor)
  • Internship Recommended Final Grade Report – will be signed by all
  • Exit Survey
  • Attend the Exit Meeting

Training Resources

Student Resources Clinical Educator Resources University Supervisor Resources

Student Guide

Student Overview Video

Adding & Submitting Work

Clinical Educator Guide

Clinical Educator Overview Video

University Supervisor Guide

University Supervisor Overview Video

 

Frequently Asked Questions

No. All field experience documentation must now be completed through Watermark unless otherwise directed.

Watermark will display pending tasks and may send email notifications.

Contact the Field Experiences at Kellie.Hatch@bhsu.edu

College of Education Admission

Provisional Admission to the Professional Teacher Preparation Program

Any candidate applying to the Professional Teacher Preparation Program may be granted a provisional admission for one semester to complete all requirements for full admission. Candidates with GPA’s below 2.6 will not be granted provisional admission. Provisional admission is determined by the Office of Field Experiences.

Program Requirements for Full Admission

The submission of this packet constitutes your request for full admission to the BHSU College of Education’s Professional Teacher Preparation Program. Before beginning your student teaching internship, you must be fully admitted to the program. Your request will be reviewed based on receipt of this fully completed application packet, including your advisor/program coordinator’s signature on the Plan of Study page, and the following documentation:

  1. Completed Professional Licensure Location before applying.
  2. Minimum 2.70 GPA both cumulatively and in all required coursework for your teaching major (BHSU SOE Policy 2.1:2.1.2)
  3. Minimum grade of C* in the following coursework:
    1. ENGL 101 & 201 (Composition I & II)
    2. SPCM 101 (Fundamentals of Speech)
    3. PSYC 101 (General Psychology)
    4. MATH (Any Gen Ed Math – Elementary Education Majors ONLY)
    5. EDFN 338 (Foundations of American Education)
    6. EPSY 302 (Educational Psychology)
    7. EDFN 295 (Pre-Admission Practicum) or Composite ECE/SPED major only will replace EDFN 295 with ECE 328 (Observation & Participation) after July 1, 2012
  4. Current professional resume
  5. Discuss your DegreeWorks status with your advisor & faculty mentor.
  6. Minimum of three (3) mandatory Professional Dispositions Assessments (PDAs), required for all programs
    1. self-evaluation (completed during EDFN 295 practicum)
    2. EDFN 295/ECE 328 clinical faculty - approved transfer and experiential substitution will add a PDA from a second BHSU faculty member instead of the clinical faculty for EDFN 295/ECE 328.
    3. BHSU faculty member (completed during EDFN 295 practicum)
  7. A recent picture for your file.
  8. Complete application to the College of Education

Apply for the College of Education

Contact Information
Profile Picture: 300w x 400h
Jami Kesling

University Certification Officer | Field Experiences Director

Jami.Kesling@BHSU.edu

605.642.6077

Jonas 203C

Box #9004

Profile Picture: 300w x 400h
Kellie Hatch

Program Assistant II

Kellie.Hatch@BHSU.edu

605.642.6642

Jonas 203A

Box #9004