College of Education

Frequently Asked Questions
for Practica

How many practica do I have to do in the Master’s program?

Practica courses are to be taken in sequence. In other words, Practicum I (EDU 390, MAS 7996 or MEE 7996) should be taken first, followed by Practicum II (EDU 391, MAS 7997 or MEE 7997), and finally, Practicum III (EDU 392, MAS 7998 or MEE 7998). Each of the Practica courses meet on a semester (15 week) basis and students are encouraged to register for Practicum I during the first full semester that they are enrolled in a masters program.

When do I take my first practicum?

Practica courses are to be taken in sequence. In other words, Practicum I (MAS 7996 or MEE 7996) should be taken first, followed by Practicum II (MAS 7997 or MEE 7997), and finally, Practicum III (MAS 7998 or MEE 7998). Each of the Practica courses meet on a semester (15 week) basis and students are encouraged to register for Practicum I during the first full semester that they are enrolled in a masters program.

Do I need to complete an application for a practica course?

No. Just register for these courses like you would for a traditional course. Once you have registered and are placed on the class roster, the appropriate Practicum Placement Coordinator will be aware of your need for a school placement.

When will I be informed of the clinical details required in the program?

Because Practicum I is the initial clinical course, instructors usually dedicate time during the first seminar to inform students about the required clinical details and respond to student questions. In addition, instructors for both Practicum II and III also spend time during the first seminar to discuss clinical details for the practica. However, students are encouraged to contact the Office of Clinical Studies if a question remains unanswered or unaddressed.

When do the seminars meet and where can I take the courses?

The Practicum seminars are offered at the Wilson Center, New Castle, Georgetown, and Dover sites. Each of the practica meets during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students can take the course at the location that is most convenient, but the clinical portion that takes place in schools must be observed in the county where the student attends the seminars.

How long are the seminars?

That varies. Some of the seminars are held on a monthly basis for five and one half hours and some meet weekly in one and a half hour sessions. Some sessions meet during the day, but most of the sessions occur in the evening. Please check your registration booklet for the days and times of the various sessions.

How do I get a placement in the schools for the practica?

Placements for the practica are done by a Practicum Placement Coordinator. For students enrolled at either New Castle or the Wilson Graduate Center, the placement Coordinator is Ms. Delethia McIntire. For students enrolled at the Georgetown or Dover sites, the placement coordinator is Ms. Michele Brewer. Once you register for a Practica, the Placement Coordinator begins to seek a placement for you.

When can I expect to be notified about my placement?

The timeline is totally dependent upon how quickly schools respond to the Coordinators with available placement spots. However, placements are usually completed by the third or fourth week of the semester. There are exceptions; in addition, placements for students with special circumstances may take longer.

In what kinds of schools do placements occur?

The University is obligated to expose students to a variety of experiences. Therefore, your placements could be in a private, parochial, or public school in a rural, suburban, or urban setting.

Can I use the same school for all of my placements?

No. Wilmington University is required to vary clinical placements and expose students to a variety of school settings. We will permit you to utilize the same school for no more than two of your four clinical assignments. Please remember, that student teaching is the fourth and final clinical requirement. Therefore, if you are currently teaching or have a desired student teaching placement, then do not utilize that school for more than one of your practica experiences.

What if I have an unusual request for a placement or a certain teacher has requested to have me complete my experience in their room?

If this should occur, you must speak with the appropriate Placement Coordinator A.S.A.P. All clinical placements must be approved and verified by these individuals.

Will all of my practica placements be within the grades of my major?

Not necessarily. Some of your clinical placements may be outside of the grade configuration that you have chosen. If this occurs, enjoy the opportunity to experience students and schools at other levels as this may help you determine your best career choices!

When do I start my time in the school?

You are not allowed to start your clinical hours until after the first seminar. Once you have your placement assignment, it is your responsibility to work out a schedule with your Mentor Teacher. To do so, students are encouraged to make these contacts as soon as possible and may begin (after the first seminar) whenever the Mentor Teacher approves the schedule. It is important to remember that you are a guest in the school and that teachers are opening their classrooms up to you. Therefore, it is important to be as flexible as possible with your schedule so teachers can accommodate you. It is also important to remember that the teacher will be depending upon you and that any change of plans needs to be immediately shared with them.

How do I schedule my 35 hours?

As stated above, after meeting with the teacher, try to establish a mutually agreeable schedule. Some students accomplish this by spending whole days in the classroom, while others do it in smaller segments of time. Your focus should be on instructional time; however, you are credited with time on task when you are in the school doing the business of the school. This may include recess duty, professional development experiences, lunch duty, passing of classes, field trips, child study meetings, as well as regular instructional situations in the classroom. REMEMBER: You must spend at least 35 hours in schools for each practicum experience.

Will I be teaching during the clinical courses?

It depends! Students in Practicum I are not expected to teach lessons. Students in Practicum II are required to teach at least one lesson and will be observed by Wilmington University staff members. Students in Practicum III are required to work with students who are experiencing some difficulties with their reading skills. This includes administering a one-on-one diagnostic reading inventory. Sometimes a teacher will have confidence in a practicum student and may encourage them to work with a small group of students or teach a lesson to the entire class. If this should occur, students are encouraged to assist because it serves as a wonderful training opportunity.

The results of my Tuberculin test were positive. Does this mean that I cannot participate in clinical experiences in schools?

You can participate in clinical experiences in schools; however, you will need to get documentation from your health care provider indicating that while you have a positive Tuberculin test, you do not have an active case of the disease.

If you have additional questions about the PRACTICA experiences, please contact one of the following individuals:

New Castle and Wilson Graduate Center
Dr. Sylvia Brooks
Wilmington University
(302) 356-6978
sylvia.j.brooks@wilmu.edu

Dover or Georgetown
Dr. Marshá Horton
Wilmington University
(302) 342-8622
marsha.t.horton@wilmu.edu

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2010-2011 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2010 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.