Clinical Field Experiences
Most courses require candidates to develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in public school settings. These experiences broaden their ability to help all students learn, including children/youth with exceptionalities and students from diverse ethnic/racial, linguistic, gender, and socioeconomic groups. During clinical experiences, candidates apply research and/or evidence-based practices gained in coursework, analyze P-12 student learning, and develop the ability to positively impact all learners. All candidates are expected to complete clinical experiences in at least two significantly different settings.
Candidates who are residency teachers and teacher assistants must move beyond their own classrooms and schools for at least two clinical experiences. Alternative settings must be approved by the instructor and may include schools on different schedules, afterschool, summer programs, Saturday programs, and private and charter schools. A limited number of clinical experiences may be approved in significantly different classrooms within their school of employment. Employed candidates are encouraged to seek assistance and support from their administrators.
Licensure
Upon successful completion of the M.A.T. Phase I/Graduate Certificate, candidates are recommended for the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License. Upon successful completion of the M.A.T. Phase II, candidates are recommended for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator’s License.