Field Experience

All licensure courses in the FAST TRAIN program have a 20hour field experience component per course as part of the course work.  Additionally, some of the master’s degree courses and certificate and endorsement programs have a field component. Field experience consists of observing, interviewing teachers in the classroom, some teaching and lesson planning, and small group and/or individual tutoring. Field work coincides with coursework to give candidates the opportunity to understand, observe and analyze what they have learned in the classroom based on research, theory and understandings from their coursework. As such field work should begin within the first three weeks of the beginning of a course (exception summer enrollment) Following the field work, the candidate’s supervisor/supervising teachers completes an assessment and the candidate provides a written reflection of their work. Other assignments may be required within coursework to be completed as part of the field experience.

Students should seek the attached fieldwork guidelines and fill out either the request or the permission form, and complete the hour log for their fieldwork. See Fieldwork Guidelines (word | pdf). Specific program requisites are detailed below:

  • Elementary Education Licensure/Master’s Program (PK-6):  Each of the six elementary licensure courses has a 20-hour field experience requirement.  Additionally some master's degree courses have field experience requirements.
  • ESL Licensure/Masters Program (PK-12):  Most of the ESL courses have a 20-hour field experience requirement. Additionally some master's degree courses have field experience requirements.
  • ESL Endorsement: Most of the endorsement courses have a 20-hour field experience requirement.
  • Peace Corps Programs: Elementary Education Licensure/Master’s Fellows Program, ESL Licensure/Master’s Fellows Program and Master’s International Program: Students in these programs are expected to spend one to two days a week in selected schools in the local D.C. area each semester.  Participants complete 120 hours total for all licensure courses in the program. Additionally, some master's degree courses have field experience requirements.
  • Special Education Online Certificate: Most of the certificate courses have a 20-hour field experience requirement.

Schedule Requirements - ALL programs:

  • Full-time summer courses:  For courses taken during the full-time intensive summer program, field experience is completed following the attached timeline. Final grades are given for each course once the field experience report , the supervisor’s recommendation and the log of hours is completed and sent to the course instructor.
  • Part-time evening courses:  For courses taken during the part-time evening sessions, field work is completed during the 15-week semester in which each course is taken.  All documentation for field experience is turned into the course instructor prior to the end of the course.

Candidates who do not turn in their documentation for field work to their course instructor according to the designated timelines will not be eligible to receive their grades nor register for courses.