Student Services Field Experience Clinical Experiences Interns/Practicum Students

Interns/Practicum Students

Roles and Responsibilities

The intern/practicum student becomes part of a professional community in the process of the internship/practicum placement and works closely with the mentor/site supervisor, the university/faculty supervisor, and the site host (or school principal) in the process of becoming a trained professional. The intern/practicum student follows the guidance of the collaborative team to meet the expectations of the internship/practicum program requirements.

It is imperative that intern/practicum students regularly arrive to their placement sites on time, acting and dressing professionally.

Based on observations, intern/practicum students will engage in discussions with their internship/practicum team members who will provide constructive feedback on the intern/practicum student’s progress toward program goals and competencies.

The Placement Process

With the increasing number of online programs, internship/practicum placements can take place anywhere in the state of Florida, and beyond. It is important for students to know their district and surrounding districts, as well. If a placement is not viable in one’s preferred district, its important to have a backup plan.

Final & MidTErM Intern/Practicum EValuations

Clinical experiences placements and midterm and/or final internship/practicum evaluations are housed in either Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) or LiveText, dependent on the program the intern/practicum is enrolled.

These evaluations are rated by the mentor/site supervisors and university/faculty supervisors in Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) or LiveText, depending on the platform recommended for purchase by the student’s program. Mentors/Site Supervisors and UF Supervisor’s are notified of the platform of the placement when the placement is made.

For graduation clearance, all students in certification programs must have a completed Final Internship/Practicum Evaluation with an average rating of 3 or higher.
As an internship/practicum placement nears, students should always follow up with their mentor/site supervisor and university/faculty supervisor to ensure they have completed the Final Internship/Practicum Evaluation.

Placement Satisfaction and Exit Surveys

Students can share their experiences in their final internship/practicum placement(s) and of the program as a whole through two surveys:

Placement Satisfaction Survey

The Placement Satisfaction Survey gathers feedback from intern/practicum student at the end of their placement regarding his/her experiences with a site supervisor, the mentor, and at the assigned school/site.
A prompt to complete this survey is sent to the intern/practicum student’s gatorlink email (@ufl.edu) from Sarah Nassoiy at sarahmk@coe.ufl.edu and will contain instructions on how to access the survey.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and the responses will be kept confidential.

2. Exit Survey

The Exit Surveys gives students an opportunity to provide feedback about their educational experiences, while completing their degree program. This feedback is helpful in colleges efforts to improve programs.
Individual responses will be kept strictly confidential with all identifiers removed, so students are encouraged to be candid.
The survey is often administered in a student’s final seminar class or provided by either a member of EduGator Central, program faculty or staff.

Online Placement & Evaluation Platforms

NOTICE: The University of Florida’s College of Education is transitioning from LiveText to Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) to house clinical experience placements. Any student that is entering their first set of courses in a certification program must register for SLL to receive ratings for courses that are tracked toward certification. Students who already registered for LIVETEXT and are entering additional courses in their program or their final placements, will remain using the LIVETEXT platform through graduation. Mentors and Supervisors will utilize the platform(s) of the students they are assigned, which may be both platforms until LIVETEXT is officially phased out. For any questions regarding accessing either of these platforms, please contact Kim Roberts.

Student Learning and LIcensure (SLL)

What is Student Learning and Licensure (SLL)?

Student Learning and Licensure (SLL) by Watermark is the web-based platform used by the College of Education to manage clinical experiences, track mastery of standards of professional knowledge, and to develop portfolios. It is an important part of the student academic journey, as it helps ensure successful progression, completion and documentation of student work towards professional goals.
Students in certification programs are required to purchase a membership with the SLL platform during their first term of enrollment to received ratings for courses required for certification. Students should think of this purchase as they would a textbook purchase.
New accounts cost $139 and are valid for 7 years.
FireFox or Google Chrome are the recommended browsers for SLL.

How Activate and Purchase Your SLL Account

Visit sll.watermarkinsights.com and log in with your gatorlink email (@ufl.edu) address. You will create your own password, so use the Forgot Password Link to do so.

Follow the instructions for credit/debit card purchase. Students are not provided a key code for this purchase, as it is based on your enrollment in the course for your clinical experience.
Note: If you already have an active membership with LiveText by Watermark, then you do not need to pay for Student Learning and Licensure. However, you do still need to follow the steps to register for an account.
For more detailed instructions and answers to common questions, Click Here. This will take you to a page that explains the registration process step-by-step.

Livetext

What is LiveText?

LiveText is a valuable technology tool that will be used for assessment of program competencies aligned with state/national standards, application and evaluation of field experiences for required practicum and internship, and to track and ensure all requirements are met for program completion, graduation clearance, and certification.

How to Purchase LiveText

Visit https://www.livetext.com/purchase_membership/
Enter your personal information (Please use your UF e-mail in all fields)
Create a LiveText Account
Select the Edition that costs – $139 from the drop-down menu (for 7-year license).
Enter payment information and click Submit Billing and Create Account

LiveText FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

I am currently employed at the site I want to have my placement. Is a job embedded placement possible?

Internships vary significantly by program and each student’s unique situation. It is not uncommon for students to request a job embedded placement. This is particularly more common with online and graduate programs. Though we can’t always guaranteed a job embedded placement, in many cases it’s possible. Sharing one’s desire to have a job embedded internship right away is the key to determine if it’s possible.

I will be starting an internship next term, but I am currently out of the state until the term of the internship. How do I get my fingerprinting/background check done?

Fingerprinting can be done out of state by scheduling an appointment with an approved LiveScan provider. Before getting fingerprinted, you must receive the instructions from the district you will be interning as you must provide the LiveScan provider a specific code and ensure these prints are sent to the FLDOE fingerprinting clearinghouse. Do not seek out of state fingerprints until consulting with the Offices of Clinical Experiences in EduGator Central (studentplacements@coe.ufl.edu)

I am enrolled in a certification program but want to do my required internship/practicum out of state. Can I do my internship/practicum placement out of state and still earn Florida State Certification?

No – Florida state certification programs require internships to take place in the state of Florida to earn Florida state certification.

I am having an issue in my current placement. What are the steps I should take for help?

It is important for students to know that they are not alone in this process. There is a whole team to support you. The first action should be to inform your university/faculty supervisor of your concern. If further action is required, contact the Office of Clinical Experiences within EduGator Central.

I did fingerprinting when I served as a substitute teacher. Will these fingerprints work for my internship placement.

Maybe – In some cases substitute fingerprints are accepted by a particular district for an internship. It depends on the level of clearance of the fingerprinting/background check, the vendor who completed the background clearance, and whether these fingerprint results are in the FLDOE approved fingerprinting clearinghouse. Fingerprinting done when hired through a substitute contracting company, such as ESS, are often not accepted. This will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Will a volunteer application with a level 1 clearance work for my internship/practicum placement?

No – To be placed in a Florida school for an internship, a level 2 background clearance is required. Instructions for background checks vary by district and are specific for internships. Student’s should not get fingerprinted until they have been provided instructions for the district they will be interning from the University of Florida’s College of Education Clinical Experiences Office.

Once I graduate, how do I apply for certification in Florida?

Once you graduate, you can apply for certification through the FLDOE website. For step-by-step guidance, please visit this website.
To access the FLDOE application page, visit this website.

I am moving to a new state, can I transfer my certificate?

It is often possible to transfer certification from one state to another, though not guaranteed. You will need to go to your new state’s Department of Education or related agency website and look up how to transfer an out of state certificate. Each state has a different process, so please read the instructions carefully. If you have trouble getting answers, contact the HR department of the district you want to get hired and ask to speak to their certification specialist. Often these individuals have the latest insight on state guidelines and pathways for individuals seeking certification out-of-state.

I need a form completed for certification in another state, who can fill it out for me?

You can send any program verification forms required for out-of-state certification to Sarah Nassoiy.

I submitted my application for a professional certification FOREVER ago, when will I hear back?

Unfortunately, we do not have a timeline on how long it will take for your application to process. If you are applying for positions or if your school wants proof of your time at UF, we can provide a Job Help Letter. Please email Sarah Nassoiy at sarahmk@coe.ufl.edu to request a letter. Additionally, if you think there is an error with your application, contact the FLDOE directly at education.certification@fldoe.org for inquires related to your application. The certification specialist in your district may be also able to assist you, as they additional access to your FLDOE file and notes.