Welcome to your field and clinical experiences.

The Office of Professional Education Services (PES) staff in the College of Education and Human Services serve as the liaison between teacher candidates, faculty, and P-12 schools in coordinating field experiences, observation, practicum, clinical practice (formerly referred to as student teaching) or internship.

All Valdosta State University education majors participate in field and clinical experiences as part of their program requirements.  The Office of Professional Education Services coordinates/finalizes all placements and ensures assigned supervision for all experiences.  Candidate negotiation of confirmed placements is strictly prohibited.  We have established a partnership agreement with several P-12 school systems providing opportunities for our teacher candidates to have meaningful and diverse experiences.  Candidates must not attempt to coordinate/finalize their placements or supervision. These experiences are an integral part of the career preparation process.  

Liability Insurance
College of Education students are required to have current Liability Insurance prior to engaging in a field experience. 

  • Keep current with and adhere to all relevant state and national standards and policies governing field experiences and clinical practice.
  • Make assignments of candidates to field experience and clinical practice placements, in accordance with state/accreditation standards, subsequent to a review and approval by the associated academic programs.
  • Ensure that the Master Placement Database stays current and that the availability of all process-related files is consistent with the approved COEHS process timelines.
  • Work cooperatively with the academic departments to schedule and implement P-12 mentor orientation and professional development.
  • Work cooperatively with the academic departments to schedule and implement supervisor and candidate orientation.
  • Ensure clinical experiences resources are accurate, current, and accessible.
  • Check all field experience and clinical practice applications to verify that candidates meet qualifications for field experiences and clinical practice as specified by the academic programs and the EPP.
  • Notify relevant supervisors and academic department heads of any concerns or issues related to field experience or clinical practice placements.
  • Upon request by a department, provide support regarding issues arising during field or clinical practice placements.
  • Maximize the use of current technology to ensure efficiency of PES operations.

Questions? Contact us at coehsfldexpapp@valdosta.edu or (229) 333-7834.

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