Hands-On Experience in PreK–12 Classrooms
Starting your first year, you'll have opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through diverse field experiences, internships, practicums, and student teaching placements.
You’ll work alongside experienced educators in more than over 75 schools and districts in the Greater Pittsburgh Region including public, private, Catholic, and charter schools. You’ll apply the knowledge and skills you learn in class directly to PreK–12 learning environments.
Whether you’re leading a lesson, supporting diverse learners, or collaborating with mentor teachers and peers, you’ll gain valuable real-world experience that builds your confidence, strengthens your skills, and prepares you to make an impact.
Horizon-Expanding Opportunities
Early Childhood Education student Kenzie Bole completed two field placements at UPMC Mercy Child Development Center, located within walking distance of campus. She learned a lot through this hands-on experience, and the field placements even led to a part-time job as a teacher’s aide with the Center’s Pre-K and preschool students. Kenzie shares, “I felt prepared since day one....Know in your heart how rewarding this experience is. You’re going to be hands-on in your first year at Duquesne. You’ll see so many amazing opportunities and do amazing things for the community. Everything is worth it. I'm right where I'm meant to be.” Discover Kenzie's story.
Early Childhood Education student Kenzie Bole completed two field placements at UPMC
Mercy Child Development Center, located within walking distance of campus. She learned
a lot through this hands-on experience, and the field placements even led to a part-time
job as a teacher’s aide with the Center’s Pre-K and preschool students. Kenzie shares,
“I felt prepared since day one....Know in your heart how rewarding this experience
is. You’re going to be hands-on in your first year at Duquesne. You’ll see so many
amazing opportunities and do amazing things for the community. Everything is worth
it. I'm right where I'm meant to be.” Education Connections
We work with over 75 schools & districts in the Greater Pittsburgh Region including
public, private, Catholic and charter schools, and are constantly building new, mutually
beneficial K-12 school partnerships to expand upon experiential opportunities for
students. The process of securing field placements involves a collaborative effort
between the School of Education and our K-12 school partners.
The School of Education offers students the unique opportunity to gain hands-on
classroom experience from the very beginning. These experiences, across a variety
of school settings, helped me build a broad and well-rounded foundation before entering
student teaching.
I can go through as many classroom management classes as I want; I can take extra
credits. I can be taught by the best professors in the world, but the only thing that
is really going to prepare me is going into the classroom.
51°µÍř has truly prepared me to make a difference as a teacher.
Through hands-on experience and support from passionate professors, I've gained the
tools and confidence to create a meaningful, engaging classroom environment.
From the outset of our studies, my classmates and I were immersed in school placements
that provided vital hands-on experiences. These opportunities were crucial for understanding
diverse educational environments and learning how to apply educational theories in
school settings practically.
The School of Education at Duquesne has prepared me to make in impact in the
classroom by teaching us the importance of reaching & building relationships with
every student. Truly getting to know every one of your students lays the foundation...where
learning is fostered & every student's needs are met.
My degree has given me practical teaching skills & real classroom experience.
I have learned how to create lesson plans, manage a classroom & adapt my teaching
to meet the needs of diverse learners. The hands-on field experiences & student teaching
placements have prepared me to handle real-world teaching challenges.
What I loved most about Duquesne's School of Education was being able to go out
in the field starting freshman year and being able to apply the content we were learning
in the classroom. I met so many great teachers and students during my field placements
and during student teaching. Duquesne's School of Education granted me the privilege
of feeling prepared to have my own classroom.
Throughout the program I had teaching experiences that helped boost my confidence
in the classroom, as well as professors & mentor teachers that gave me advice that
helped shape me into the teacher I am today...I'm excited & ready to create a fun
& engaging learning environment for all of my future students.
The School of Education has given me so many different field experiences since
my first year. I've been in kindergarten, first grade, in a public school, a Catholic
school and more. I also had access to amazing professors, resources like the Curriculum
Center and various opportunities to be involved with the education community.
View the FAQs we often receive in the School of Education. Field experiences occur from your first year to senior year at Duquesne, with the
frequency of experiences depending on your content area. Field experiences occur in
a variety of K-12 school settings and the hour requirement can vary from 15 hours
to 60 hours per semester. Each semester that you are in need of a field placement, you will fill out an online
Field Placement Application. By submitting your application, the School of Education
will gain access to your local address, method of transportation, and any special
school/district requests you provide. There is an ever-evolving list of urban, suburban, private, and Catholic schools that
the School of Education partners with each semester. Yes, you will need to have the following clearances updated yearly in order to be
eligible for a field placement: Act 33, Act 34, Act 114, Act 126, and proof of a negative
TB test. Schools and districts reserve the right to request that students turn in
additional clearances before permitting them into their buildings. We work to maintain a culture of accessibility with students, and encourage all students
to contact us at any time during their academic journeys.Our School Partners
and many more!Experiences from the Field
Frequently Asked Questions
Student teaching occurs during your final semester at Duquesne (i.e., the semester
in which you intend to graduate). The process for applying for a field experience
is different from the process for applying for student teaching, although special
school requests can be submitted for both.
Our team then works to find a school that works best for your needs. We also strive
to place students in a variety of settings during their time at Duquesne.Contact the School of Education
Michelle Gapsky
Dr. Karen Levitt