Health and Behavioral Sciences

• The Texas Education Agency “TEA” requires that all certification-seeking candidates complete a minimum of 30 hours of field-based experience prior to clinical teaching.
• Depending on the degree plan, students will complete one or two semesters of Field Residency.
• Field Residency placements are coordinated by the Educator CAFE in collaboration with local school districts.
• Teacher candidates will observe the content-certified cooperating teacher delivering instruction and participate in classroom activities.
• The candidate and cooperating teacher will work together to create a schedule for observation hours. Typically, candidates spend 2-3 hours per week in the teacher's classroom.
• In addition to observation hours, the candidates meet with their university field supervisor once a month on the TAMU-SA campus. They complete course assignments and study for the required TExES certification exams.

When to Apply

Field Residency 1 (EDFR 3110) is a requirement for all certification-seeking degree plans and Field Residency 2 (EDFR 3120) is only a requirement for a few degree plans, primarily those that include certification in the secondary grade levels (7-12).

Students with degree plans that require EDFR 3110 and EDFR 3120 should take Field Residency 1 two full semesters before clinical teaching and Field Residency 2 the last full semester before clinical teaching. Students should have no more than 60 hours of coursework remaining when they enroll in Field Residency 1. Students should have no more than 30 hours of coursework remaining for spring admission to Field Residency 2 and no more than 15 hours remaining for fall admission to Field Residency 2.

1. Minimum GPA of 2.75, either overall or last 60-hours;
2. Already admitted to or applying for admission to the Educator CAFÉ
   • Students who have already been admitted to the Educator CAFÉ do not need to re-apply to the Educator CAFE; and,
   • Students who have not been admitted to the Educator CAFE, yet, should submit an Educator CAFÉ application in addition to the Field Residency 1 application (i.e., these students will submit two applications);
3. TEA Identification Number. Upon admittance to the Educator CAFÉ, students are required to create a TEAL account and obtain a TEA identification number.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Students seeking Bilingual certification must have completed EDBL 3307 and EDBL 4318 to be admitted to Field Residency.
• Although field residency is a one-hour course, it is time-intensive. The Educator CAFÉ recommends that students limit additional coursework to 12 SCH.
• Students must provide the correct TEA number on the field residency application. Students who do not know their TEA number, but have created a TEAL account, should go to https://tealprod.tea.state.tx.us/ and select "Forgot Username,” OR students can submit a TEA Help Desk Ticket for assistance. Students should never create a second account. The Educator CAFÉ’s Certification Officer can also assist: Melissa Beene, mbeene@tamusa.edu

• All placements are selected at the sole discretion of the school district and the Educator CAFE.  Students can select a first and second-choice placement district on their application.  Students are not permitted to contact the districts directly regarding placements.  
• Most districts do not allow candidates to complete field residency/clinical teaching on a campus where they have children, grandchildren, siblings or other close relatives.
• Students who work in a district may request placement on the campus in which they work, but this must be coordinated with the Educator CAFÉ.
• All absences and tardies must be documented.  Excessive absences and/or tardies may result in removal from the field experience placement.
• Candidates should exercise extreme caution regarding interactions with students under their direction.  It is not appropriate to socialize in any way, including on social media, with students within the district to which you have been assigned with the presence of the cooperating teacher.
• All TAMUSA candidates are expected to abide by the dress code provided by the school district in which they have been placed.
• Candidates must have the full support and recommendation of both the Cooperating Teacher and the Field Supervisor to successfully complete field residency/clinical teaching.
• Due to liability issues, incomplete will not be issued for field residency. 
• All districts require students to complete a criminal background prior to receiving a field experience placement. 
• **Please note TEA TAC §227.101(c), "A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board for Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense."
• See the Educator CAFÉ Handbook for more information on policies and procedures.