All students must complete 14 credits of student teaching in order to be considered for the teaching license. A normal semester of 15 weeks is necessary for student teaching. The student teaching experience will be equally divided between the elementary/middle school level and the middle /secondary school level. Students must earn one credit for their portfolio in addition to the 14 credits of student teaching. Student teaching placements are usually made in the Missoula area when possible. Candidates may seek to student teach in other geographic locations in Montana or the USA or oversees when early applications are made.
The student teaching experience is traditionally the final semester of the undergraduate experience although this is not mandatory. Applicants may student teacher the semester or even two prior to their final semester when certain curriculum and instruction courses have been completed. Refer to the Student Teaching Officer on campus for the policy on early student teaching if desired.
