Office of Clinical Studies Mission

The Office of Clinical Studies for Teacher Education

Our Mission

A major standard used to measure the excellence of a professional school is the opportunity provided in the curriculum for students to test theory efficiently and effectively through clinical practice. In accordance with this standard of excellence, the emphasis in teacher education programs at the University of Delaware is to provide students with early and graduated "hands on" experiential and instructional opportunities in the schools of Delaware.

The Office of Clinical Studies for Teacher Education is charged with the responsibility of assisting faculty to implement a program of field-based professional practice that includes several sequential phases representing increasing professional involvement and responsibility. Utilizing a three-level approach of graduated clinical responsibilities, students participate in field experiences in school settings beginning in the freshman year.

Level I experiences generally take place in the freshman and sophomore years and provide students with the opportunity to observe, tutor and offer general assistance in the classroom. Level II experiences begin in the junior year for most students and include planning, implementing and assessing limited instructional units with small groups or an entire class. Level III responsibilities take place in the senior year and require students to become engaged in an extended student teaching experience under the supervision of a university supervisor and a cooperating teacher in a local school district.

In administering the clinical studies program, the office staff is responsible for the training of supervisory personnel, the recommendation of policies governing the clinical program to the University Council on Teacher Education (UCTE), the integration of policies into the teacher education programs, and the placement of students in appropriate clinical settings. In servicing teacher education programs throughout the University, the Office of Clinical Studies makes over three thousand placements each year.


The Office of Clinical Studies for Teacher Education Our Mission A major standard used to measure the excellence of a professional school is the opportunity provided in the curriculum for students to test theory efficiently and effectively through clinical practice. In accordance with this standard of excellence, the emphasis in teacher education programs at the University of Delaware is to provide students with early and graduated "hands on" experiential and instructional opportunities in the schools of Delaware. The Office of Clinical Studies for Teacher Education is charged with the responsibility of assisting faculty to implement a program of field-based professional practice that includes several sequential phases representing increasing professional involvement and responsibility. Utilizing a three-level approach of graduated clinical responsibilities, students participate in field experiences in school settings beginning in the freshman year. Level I experiences generally take place in the freshman and sophomore years and provide students with the opportunity to observe, tutor and offer general assistance in the classroom. Level II experiences begin in the junior year for most students and include planning, implementing and assessing limited instructional units with small groups or an entire class. Level III responsibilities take place in the senior year and require students to become engaged in an extended student teaching experience under the supervision of a university supervisor and a cooperating teacher in a local school district. In administering the clinical studies program, the office staff is responsible for the training of supervisory personnel, the recommendation of policies governing the clinical program to the University Council on Teacher Education (UCTE), the integration of policies into the teacher education programs, and the placement of students in appropriate clinical settings. In servicing teacher education programs throughout the University, the Office of Clinical Studies makes over three thousand placements each year.
Delaware Center for Teacher Education	Teacher Education	University of Delaware
Office of Clinical Studies Send comments to the Office of Clinical Studies Last updated - August 21, 2006