2026-2027 Clinical University Experience

Beaufort County School District Field Placements

The Beaufort County School District welcomes and hosts observation, practicum, and intern students from partner universities during the course of the school year. The district recognizes the need to place future teachers in learning settings to assist in their preparation as professionals. Clinical university experiences should be maximized for all stakeholders and it is understood that a minimum amount of disruption to the regular classroom and school environment should take place.

Descriptions of the four types of field placements:

Students will visit the classroom for a prescribed number of hours (i.e. 10-20 hours during a semester) in order to observe critical components of learning including: classroom management, lesson clarity, instructional variety, learning climate, task orientation, student success, performance outcomes, and learning through play. Students will act only as observers, not active participants.

Practicum students have an opportunity to put into practice the procedures they have learned regarding short-range lesson planning, instructional delivery, classroom management, and analysis of student learning. Teacher candidates will be working under the guidance of an experienced cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Students will participate in this field experience in conjunction with "methods courses" where they will be exposed to a variety of techniques and methodologies in a diverse learning environment.

Students will visit the classroom twice a week for a four hour block throughout the semester.

The Teaching Internship is the capstone experience in the candidate's preparation for a career in education. Under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor, interns are assigned to a classroom for an entire semester in order to have the best possible introduction to the teaching field. Major responsibility rests with the cooperating teacher to set reasonable and specific objectives befitting the individual ability and development of the student teacher.

The Administrative Internship program is designed to place prospective administrators in colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. Graduate students in good standing are eligible to participate in an internship program. Administrative Internship is a partnership between the intern, participating school district, and the College/University. This is a specific Administrative Internship for those individuals who are in the process of obtaining their certification as an Elementary or Secondary Principal.

It is an on-the-job internship program requiring additional supervision and support from both the College/University and the school district. The purpose of an Administrative Internship is to provide students with a wide range of leadership experiences that will immerse them in meaningful, concentrated, and applicable administrative experiences. These experiences will be designed through a partnership between the intern, selected K-12 schools, on-site supervisor, and the College/University.