"The opportunities we have to grow in our professional dispositions over our time at UD are unmatched.  We take what we learn in the classroom and directly apply it during our field experiences, allowing us to grow as real world educators year round. 

We receive top notch instruction from top notch professors who always make sure to link instruction to field experience.  One does not succeed without the other, and their inherent connection is constantly implemented into our learning."

"One of the reasons that I love the education program at UD is because of how early they get us into the classrooms. By going into the classroom as early as freshman year, it really helps you figure out what you want to do within education. Placing us in different classroom settings all throughout our time in school made me even more excited to become a teacher. 

The teacher education program has done a great job preparing me for a future career in education. Specifically, the professors have been so supportive.  They genuinely care about you as a person and an educator. As I prepare to be a teacher, I am most excited to implement all that UD has taught me. Community was truly demonstrated on this campus, both inside and outside of the teacher education program, and I want my future students to feel the same sense of community in my classroom!"

"Field experiences have allowed me to enter into different educational spaces in order to get a full understanding of the teaching environments that I may find myself in later in the program or after graduation. I had a limited view of education when I entered in the teacher education program, only being in private Catholic schools all of my life. Entering into the public school spaces and understanding exactly what it means to be a teacher in our society has helped me to become a better student, a better educator, and a better version of myself. 

I always like to say that instructors, advisors, and everyone else in the teacher education program are my biggest cheerleaders.  In discerning my call to be an educator, there have been questions and doubts, but there are people who support me and help me to discern what path is the right one for me.  I am most excited about forming relationships with my students in my preparation to become a future teacher. Relationships are the backbone to ensuring that students receive the quality education that they deserve."

"I often think of UD especially during stressful times. I feel as if UD gave me the tools to not only be a good Intervention Specialist, but to be a good pillar of the school where I work. Yes, I am always here for the students in an academic sense, but UD showed me that as we are helping build well-rounded students, we also have to be well-rounded teachers. This means wearing whatever "hat" I need to put on for that day and rolling with the punches. I truly believe the time that I had in the field at UD helped me become the teacher I am today.  Even though I may only be a second-year teacher, I feel that I have plenty of years of experience that prepared me for this role."

The education field office will notify teacher education students to register and complete their background checks because they are either registered for a course with a "lab" or there is a practicum involved for the course.  It is also required for all student teaching/clinical experiences. Please follow the correct link above and you will receive descriptive instructions on what to expect. All background checks are completed in the Public Safety office. 

It is helpful for students to disclose any past offenses as it will take additional time to complete the background check process and could prevent completing requirements for the course and sometimes the program in general.

Note: Background checks are valid for one year from the date of issue.

• You will need a Government-issued photo ID.
• You will need a hard copy or photo of your social security number with your name. An example would be a social security card or tax document. 

• Undergraduate students: Background check fees are included in the cost of tuition. Students must be enrolled in a course with a lab or completing their student teaching/clinical experience.
• Graduate students: Background check fees can be paid here https://go.udayton.edu/fingerprintpayment.

The results are returned to the Education Field Office and filed.  

The year of student teaching/clinical experience, a copy will also be kept in the Dean's office.

Some schools require a copy of your background check to do any field experience in their building.  It is your responsibility to come to the department of education at Fitz Hall, Room 680 and complete a release form to get a copy to take with you to your placement. It is best to make arrangements for an appointment with the education field office to pick up your copy. You can reach the EFO by email: efo@udayton.edu or call 937-229-3264.

Convictions and guilty pleas will result in a process that you as the student will initiate with the Ohio Department of Education and Department of Licensure to determine if you have a disqualifying offense.  Depending upon the conviction, the student may find that they may not qualify for teacher education. You can find more information at the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Professional Conduct:  https://education.ohio.gov/

• Guidance for Application Process and Expectations
• Student Teaching/Clinical Experience Application
• Statement of Assurance of Good Moral Character
• Professional statement directions (pdf) >>
• Professional statement examples (pdf) >>
• Professional Statement (pdf) >>

Undergraduate candidates

• First Wednesday of February

Post-baccalaureate initial teaching licensure candidates

• First Wednesday of September

All graduate candidates (including Early Childhood Education and Preschool Special Needs)

• June 1: Clinical experience in spring semester.
• First Wednesday of February: Clinical experience in summer and fall semesters.

• Clinical Experience Handbook 2022-2023

The candidate, clinical educator and university liaison complete the Candidate Preservice Assessment of Student Teaching (CPAST) form and consensus scores are agreed upon during a conference. Candidates are assessed during the midterm and final weeks of the student teaching/clinical experience through the usage of developmental rubrics in the CPAST.