Practicums and Certification Internship

Candidates in the elementary education program serve an estimated 600 hours volunteering in the public schools of Osceola County. Depending on their status, (Practicum I, II, or III), candidates may spend between 2-3 hours per week in a school over the course of the semester. The purpose of the Practicum is to give teaching candidates the opportunity for hands-on teaching. The Practicum is a fairly structured experience for both the FCC candidate and the cooperating classroom teacher, in that the candidate relies on the guidance and support of the cooperating classroom teacher to help him/her continuously improve performance in the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).

Practicum 1* is a 30+ hour program that provides an opportunity for the student to perform basic volunteer duties/observations in a cooperating teacher’s classroom.

Practicum II* is a 30+ hour program that provides an opportunity for the student to teach lessons, observe, and volunteer in a cooperating teacher’s classroom.

Practicum III* is a 30+ hour program that provides an opportunity for the student to teach a unit, observe, and volunteer in a cooperating teacher’s classroom.

Certification Internship* is a fourteen-week program that provides a practical learning experience where the intern can apply theory and knowledge and put both into practice. The internship also serves to enhance the intern’s development and ability to function effectively in the professional setting. The internship fulfills partial requirements for teacher certification in the State of Florida.

*All FCC students entering into a public school in Osceola County must be registered as an OASIS volunteer. Candidates can see the county website and the OASIS volunteer page (http://www.osceola.k12.fl.us/depts/OASIS/OASIS.asp) to fill out an application online. FCC students are also required to pass a criminal background/fingerprinting check, conducted by the school district office, prior to being placed in a school for practicum/internship hours. For registration information, candidates can visit www.flprints.com. To make an appointment for fingerprints, candidates can call 407-870-4091. Candidates who do not complete this process two weeks prior to their semester of service, may be dropped from the practicum/internship.