Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the requirements to start my internship?
Internship requirements vary significantly from program to program. All students in programs with tracks toward clinical rotation, practicum, and/or internship experiences should seek advisement from their program coordinators/supervisors to ensure all requirements are met prior to when it is time to enroll in any field experience courses. Failure to meet your program’s requirements could lead to withdrawal from the program.Do I have to attend an internship orientation?
Most programs include an orientation prior to starting an internship or field experience. For example, students in the Early Childhood or SITE programs have a virtual orientation, while other programs may opt for a more formal in-person orientation or even an orientation video.
It is always best to speak to your program coordinator about any orientation requirements for your program of study.Where do I find the internship application?
Internship applications are designed to collect valuable information to create the best field placements for students. Each program within the College of Education has a different way of collecting this information. It is best to seek advice from your program coordinator on how this information is provided to the program you are enrolled in.
Some of the College of Education programs choose to use LiveText to collect this information. For example, if you are an Elementary Education B.A.E. program student, you will access the internship application via your LiveText account here.
Additional internship application instructions for Elementary Education B.A.E. program students can be found at this link.
If I withdraw this semester, do I have to complete a new application for completing the internship in a future semester?
Yes, if the program you are enrolled in requires an internship application, you will need to complete a new application for the semester you plan to enroll. Always discuss enrollment plans with your program coordinators and advisors to ensure they have the proper information to pass along to associate parties involved in the field experience and placement process. -
What is the placement process?
Once all student internship information and preferences are submitted in the form requested by each program (i.e. intern application, site agreement, placement survey, etc.), program coordinators begin to review that information and work closely with the the Office of Clinical Experiences within EduGator Central to ensure matches are made with mentors/site supervisors that meet student needs, while also following state and program requirements. This is often a lengthy process because many protocols and procedures need to be followed before placements are deemed official. Once matches are confirmed, placements are created in LiveText and an email is sent out to the student, mentor/site supervisor, and UF supervisor. It is at this point that a student may make contact with their mentor/site supervisor.If I know a teacher in a certain school or district, and he/she wants to work with me, may I do my internship there?
All students should submit this information to their program coordinators. Usually, this type of information is requested on a program’s internship application or intake form. Upon receival, program coordinators and the Office of Clinical Experiences within EduGator Central will work to see if requests can be granted. All special requests will be considered but are not guaranteed.I know people within a certain school or district. Is it appropriate for me to call them to make placement arrangements?
All students should submit this information to their program coordinators. Usually, this type of information is requested on a program’s internship application or intake form. Upon receival, program coordinators and the Office of Clinical Experiences within EduGator Central will work to see if requests can be granted. All special requests will be considered but are not guaranteed.Whom do I call to find out if I have been placed yet? When should I call?
You may contact the EduGator Central Office, and speak with the internship coordinator at 352-273-4379 or StudentPlacements@coe.ufl.edu . Most placements are not finalized until the latter part of the semester, early December for spring placements and late April or even summer term for fall placements.Everyone has received a placement email from LiveText except me; why haven’t I been placed yet?
We notify students of their internship placements on a rolling basis through a formal LiveText email.
Due to state placement guidelines, varying program nuances, and individual student needs, some placements take longer than others to finalize. It is not uncommon for some classmates to receive their placement sooner than others.What are the chances that I will get my request for grade, school and teacher?
While it is impossible to say what the chances are, we do try quite hard to honor special requests and place students at the grade level they would like for their internship. However, since many factors are at work in arranging placements, it is not possible for everyone to receive their specific request for grade, school, or teacher.If a teacher has requested me as an intern and I supplied a special request to be placed with this specific teacher, why wouldn’t I be placed with him/her?
Sometimes the reasons requests are not honored have nothing to do with the intentions of the intern or the teacher. On many occasions, schools are undergoing curriculum changes or staff restructuring, in which case the principal may request that the school have no interns a certain semester. Schools are generally very eager to have interns. -
What is the internship day/week like?
Internships vary, of course, across subjects and grade levels, but, in most schools, you will be spending time teaching, planning, and reflecting on your experiences. The morning will begin early with preparation for the day and perhaps consultation with your mentor teacher. You’ll follow the school’s daily schedule and end the day according to the needs of the students and school personnel. In other words, your day will not end with the dismissal bell. You often will be asked to stay for conferencing and/or to make preparations for the next day. These are considered to be part of the total internship experience.What is the internship day/week like?
Internships vary, of course, across subjects and grade levels, but, in most schools, you will be spending time teaching, planning, and reflecting on your experiences. The morning will begin early with preparation for the day and perhaps consultation with your mentor teacher. You’ll follow the school’s daily schedule and end the day according to the needs of the students and school personnel. In other words, your day will not end with the dismissal bell. You often will be asked to stay for conferencing and/or to make preparations for the next day. These are considered to be part of the total internship experience.How long is the overall internship? How long is an internship day?
Most internships are a minimum of 10-12 weeks; some may have slightly longer placements than others and some are yearlong placements. You will receive a schedule specific to your program at the time you receive your notification email. An internship day is not just the time the students are present. It is, in fact, whatever time is necessary for you to be at the school as determined by the mentor teacher, school administrators, and the needs of the students.Can I work and complete my internship at the same time?
Most students will find it very difficult to work and complete a successful internship simultaneously. Internships require more time than actual hours spent in a classroom, especially in planning, developing lessons, and consulting with your mentor teacher. Additionally, teaching (especially for beginners) is a very high-energy job. You’ll find yourself extremely tired at the end of each day.Can I find out if there are other interns placed at my school so we can carpool?
Because transportation is an issue for some students, we will work with you and your Program Coordinator to identify others that are placed at the same school.Will I be the only intern at my school?
We try our best to place at least two interns at every school. This is helpful for students wishing to carpool as well as university supervisors who must travel to schools for observations and meetings.Whom do I contact if I will miss a day of my internship?
First and foremost, contact the school and your mentor teacher BEFORE the school day begins. If you have assumed primary responsibility for teaching in this classroom, you must also make arrangements to deliver lesson plans to your mentor teacher. You should also contact your university supervisor. It is extremely important that you let these parties know that you will miss a day of your internship. Each day missed must be made up.Whom do I contact if I need to withdraw from my internship?
Contact your departmental program coordinator and your university supervisor as soon as possible. You should also call the EduGator Central Office at, 352-273-4379.
Career Information
A career in education allows you to help enrich your community by being a positive role model, imparting knowledge about learning and human development, and collaborating with others to solve critical educational and human problems in diverse environments. As you shape the next generation by providing them the tools and knowledge to make positive societal contributions, you will also be able to build your leadership and interpersonal skills throughout your career. An education degree opens a world full of careers for you. K-12 teaching, research, student affairs, advising, curriculum development, and international education are only a few options on a long list of opportunities. Below are helpful resources as you prepare for your future career in education.