WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Hands-on Experience that Prepares Educators for the Classroom
Clinical Experience and Student Teaching for Educators
For some degree programs at WGU you'll need to have hands-on, in-person experience that helps prepare you for your career. This in-person experience is a requirement of your state for licensure, and WGU sets up these clinical and student teaching experiences so you can show your abilities and learn additional skills.
WGU is focused on helping you be prepared for your in-person experiences by providing experts to guide you every step of the way. Our clinical experience faciliators are there to ensure you have a high quality placement that meets program and state licensing requirements.
Clinical Experiences
As part of this program, you'll participate in a wide range of in-classroom teaching experiences through a minimum of 65 hours while completing early and advanced clinical.
Student Teaching
Student Teaching is a full-time, supervised, in-classroom experience of a minimum of 60 days. Student Teaching experiences are supervised clinical, classroom-based activities in real life settings that enable student teachers to collaborate with a mentor teacher and practice instructional strategies. Student teachers assume increasing responsibilities while further developing teaching skills and confidence. They receive formative feedback through observations and summative feedback from midterm and final evaluations that must be completed in order for WGU to recommend candidates for licensure or certification after graduation. Learn more about teacher licensure.
For Students
There are now more opportunities for clinical experiences. Students may have the opportunity to transition into the newly updated degree program, depending on their progress in completing the degree.
For School Districts
Clinical experiences now occur earlier in degree programs, where we will work closely with our district partners to provide a high quality mutually beneficial expereince.
Overview of Early and Advanced Clinicals (Advanced Clinicals, Student Teaching 1 & 2)
Mentor Teacher Requirements
The district, in collaboration with Western Governors University, shall provide the Candidate with a Student Teaching assignment under the direct supervision and instruction of a Mentor Teacher who meets the following minimum requirements:
- Holds a teaching credential or license: (i) for the subject area and/or grade level being taught; and (ii) in the state where Student Teaching occurs.
- Has: (i) a minimum of three (3) years of content area teaching experience, with (ii) two (2) or more years teaching in the placement school and/or District, and (iii) demonstrated record of strong performance.
- Documented evidence of positive impact on student learning in the classroom as demonstrated by ratings at or above effective (or equivalent) when a state, district, or school provides such ratings.
- Has positively impacted and mentored student teachers, colleagues, and/or other adults.
- Competently uses technology for communicating via email and completing online evaluation forms.
- Demonstrates and models the Professional Dispositions and Ethics.
- Completes University training to understand policies, processes, procedures, and how to mentor adult learners, and completes any required State training.
Culturally Competent Practitioner Standard
Teacher Candidate Responsibilities
As a student and aspiring educator in a WGU licensure program, you are expected to be a “culturally competent practitioner” who ensures equitable learning opportunities and supports for every student. Demonstrating cultural competence is an ongoing process that requires you to evaluate, examine, and adapt your teaching in ways that will support the success of the diverse population of learners in your classroom. As a culturally competent practitioner, you will ensure the following:
A Safe and Welcoming Environment
- Treat students, their families, colleagues, and members of the community with respect and dignity.
- Utilize classroom management strategies that avoid assigning blame or guilt to students based on perceptions about their cultures, differences, or home lives.
- Value the cultural identities of students, families, colleagues, and members of the community, inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, language, religion, and socioeconomic background.
- Respond to instances of disrespectful speech about student identities by intervening; address the impact of such language, and demonstrate appropriate ways to respond that build understanding.
High expectations set for all students
- Communicate high expectations for all students.
- Plan and deliver high-quality instruction for all students.
- Recognize contributions to the learning community, including the diverse talents of others.
- When you feel stuck and don’t know what intervention or support a student needs, seek out the assistance of your community of care to plan next steps.
Ongoing professional learning and growth
- Understand that no one is ever finished learning as you set and achieve professional goals.
- Engage in learning activities that will help you better understand the diverse communities in which your students live.
- Seek out feedback from students, their families, colleagues and supervisors with a focus on getting better and making a difference.
- View everyone as a resource; even the grouchiest person within the faculty has something to teach you.
Clinical Experience Program Gateways
Students in WGU School of Education licensure programs progress through a series of formalized review points that serve as gateways to monitor their academic achievement and ability throughout the program. For more information please visit: Program Gateways: Formalized Review Points of Student Progress.
Clinical Experience Application Requirements
Teacher candidates must meet all application requirements to earn provisional acceptance to early and advanced clinical experiences. For more information visit the Early Clinical page and Advanced Clinical page.
Programs That May Require Student Teaching:
Online Degree Options for Education Bachelor's Degrees
Education
Bachelor's Degrees Elementary Education
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring elementary school...
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring elementary school teachers who are looking to earn a teaching license.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 68% of students finish within 36 to 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 to 45 (47 for Washington residents) total courses in your degree, depending on which program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
These online bachelor's degrees require in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Bachelor's Degrees Special Education
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring special education...
Online bachelor's degree programs built for aspiring special education teachers who are looking to earn a teaching license.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 61% of students finish within 34 to 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 to 39 total courses in your degree, depending on which program you pursue.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
These online bachelor's degrees require in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school biology teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 61% of students earned this online biology degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program (43 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program:
- Zoology
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Heredity and Genetics
This biology teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school chemistry teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 65% of students finish this online chemistry degree within 37 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program (42 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program:
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Biochemistry
This chemistry teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Earn a chemistry degree online and be eligible for a teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school earth science teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 63% of students earn this middle school teaching and high school teaching degree within 33 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program (43 for Washington residents)
Concepts included in this program:
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- General Physics
- Physical Geology
- Earth Systems
- Astronomy
This geosciences teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This high school teaching degree program prepares you for teaching licensure in any of the 50 states.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school physics teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 62% of students earn this online physics degree within 49 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program (42 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Educational Psychology
- Physics: Waves and Optics
- Space, Time and Motion
- Conceptual Physics
- Physics: Mechanics
This physics teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Graduates of this online teaching degree program will be eligible for teaching certification.
Education
Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers and high school math teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 40 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program (44 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program:
- Trigonometry and Precalculus
- Probability and Statistics I and II
- Calculus I, II, and III
- Abstract Algebra
- College Geometry
This online math teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online math teaching degree program helps students become eligible for math teaching certification.
Education
Educational Studies – B.A.
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to...
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to make a difference in a field that interests you.
Based on your career goals and interests, you can choose an educational studies program in one of 10 content areas that meets your needs while working toward employment in school settings, corporate training, or instructional design. These programs do not lead to a teaching license.
- Time: Completion time varies depending on the specialty track you choose.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- This bachelor's degree allows students to learn about education but does not include student teaching and it does not lead to a teaching license.
Focus areas of this educational studies degree program include:
- Elementary Education
- Elementary and Special Education
- Mild to Moderate Special Education
- Secondary Biology Science Education
- Secondary Chemistry Science Education
- Secondary Earth Science Education
- Secondary Physics Education
- Middle Grades Science Education
- Secondary Mathematics Education
- Middle Grade Mathematics Education
Online Degree Options for Education Master's Degrees
Education
Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification...
An online master's of arts in education degree and teacher certification program for aspiring elementary school teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to a teaching license. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 28 total courses in this program (29 for Washington residents)
Concepts included in this program:
- Lesson Planning
- Ethics
- Behavioral Support Strategies
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Classroom Management
This online teacher's degree requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Teaching, Special Education (K–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for aspiring teachers looking to further their...
An online master's degree for aspiring teachers looking to further their careers with a focus on K–12 special education.
- Time: 64% of students finish similar programs in 22 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 30 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for students who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field and are looking to earn their initial teaching license.
Concepts included in this program:
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Guidelines in Special Education
- Management Strategies for Academic and Social Behavior
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Methods of Instruction and Intervention
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Find a rewarding career teaching students with diverse challenges and special learning abilities with this teaching master's degree.
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in...
An online master's degree for current teachers who want to specialize in teaching science to middle school students.
Available in all states that offer a middle-grades general science endorsement.
- Time: 63% of students earned this degree within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 total courses in this program.
This program is for currently licensed teacher who want to add middle-grades science to their license.
Concepts included in this program:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth science
- Space science
Propel your career as a middle school or junior high science teacher with this M.A. degree.
Education
Science Education, Secondary Biology – Master's
Online master's programs for currently licensed teachers, or for those who...
Online master's programs for currently licensed teachers, or for those who want to pursue a teaching license. These programs prepare you to teach biology at the secondary level in your state. 68%
- Time: (((percentcomplete.masesb))) of students finish these programs within (((months.masesb))) and (((months.matsesb))) months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 13 to 20 total courses in this program.
WGU offers one program for currently licensed teachers and one for aspiring teachers to ensure you are able to pursue your master's degree, and support your teaching career.
Completion time and total courses will vary based on the program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Heredity and Genetics
Propel your career as a junior high or high school biology teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Science Education, Secondary Chemistry – Master's
Online master's programs for both currently licensed teachers or for those...
Online master's programs for both currently licensed teachers or for those who want to pursue a teaching license. These programs prepare you to teach chemistry at the secondary level in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish their program or similar programs within 18 to 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 to 20 courses for your degree, depending on which program you choose.
WGU offers one program for currently licensed teachers and one for aspiring teachers to ensure you are able to pursue your master's degree, and support your teaching career.
Completion time for your program and the total number of courses will vary based on the program you pursue.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- General Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Propel your career as a junior high or high school biology teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Science Education, Secondary Earth Science - Master's
Online master's program options for current teachers, and aspiring...
Online master's program options for current teachers, and aspiring teachers who want to pursue licensure. These programs prepare you to teach earth science at the secondary level in your state.
- Time: 60% of students earn these degree within around 14 to 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 to 20 total courses in this program.
Completion time and total courses will vary based on the program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- Physical Geology
- Earth Systems
- Astronomy
- Ocean Systems
- Chemistry
Propel your career as a geoscience teacher with this education master's degree.
Education
Science Education, Secondary Physics – Master's
Online master's programs for aspring and currently licensed teachers....
Online master's programs for aspring and currently licensed teachers. These programs prepare you to teach chemistry at the secondary level in your state, and obtain licensure if needed.
- Time: 62% of students finish these programs or related programs within 15 to 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 14 to 20 courses for your degree, depending on which program you choose.
WGU offers one program for currently licensed teachers and one for aspiring teachers to ensure you are able to pursue your master's degree, and support your teaching career.
Completion time for your program and the total number of courses will vary based on the program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- General Chemistry
- Mechanics
- Waves and optics
- Electricity and magnetism
- Space, time and motion
Propel your career as a junior high or high school physics teacher with the help of a master's degree in education.
Education
Mathematics Education – Master's
Online master's program options for current teachers, and aspiring...
Online master's program options for current teachers, and aspiring teachers who want to pursue licensure. These programs prepare you to teach math at the approved level in your state.
- Time: 64% of students finish these programs within 18 and 25 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 to 20 total courses in this program.
Completion time and total courses will vary based on the program you pursue.
Concepts included in this program:
- Trigonometry
- Calculus
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
Propel your career as a math teacher with a master's degree in mathematics education.
Education
Teaching, Social Studies (Secondary) – M.A.
This online master's degree program prepares you to become a licensed...
This online master's degree program prepares you to become a licensed social studies teacher in your state.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 63% of students finish similar programs within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 19 total courses in this program (21 for Washington residents).
Concepts included in this program include:
- US History
- World History
- Economics
- Classroom Instruction Strategies
- Technology for the Classroom
This online social studies degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching master's degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school English teachers who already have a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 63% of students finish this online English degree program within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- English Pedagogy
- Reading Instruction and Interventions
- Disciplinary Literacy
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
This online English degree prepares students for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Education
English Language Learning (PreK–12) – M.A.
An online master's degree for current teachers whose next career goal...
An online master's degree for current teachers whose next career goal includes a focus on teaching in ELL or ESL settings.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program is for current teachers who are looking to add ELL or ESL to their license.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Assessment Theory and Practice
- Language Production, Theory and Acquisition
- Instruction Planning and Implementation
- Theories of Second Language Acquisition
Grow your teaching career on a commitment to ensuring language barriers don't become a barrier to learning with this education master's degree.
Education
Educational Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a...
An online master's degree for current teachers looking to move into a school or district leadership position, like principal, vice principal, or administrator.
- Time: 60% of grads earned this degree within 23 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 13 total courses in this program.
This program is for licensed teachers who are ready to take the next step in their education career.
Concepts included in this program:
- School Law
- School Financial Leadership
- People & Talent
- School Operations and Management
- Leadership Ethics
Put your leadership skills to good use—in the service of America's children—with this education master's degree.
States that do not accept this program: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota.
Education
Education Technology and Instructional Design – M.Ed.
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for...
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for instructional designers tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.
No teaching license required.
- Time: 62% of students finish this program in 10 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
This program includes two tracks for students to choose from:
- The K-12 pathway
- The Adult Learner pathway
Concepts included in this program:
- Learning Experience Design
- Assessment and Learning Analytics
- Learning Technology
- Research Methodology
Develop training and instruction expertise to help you in the classroom, in educational settings, or in corporate world.
Education
Curriculum and Instruction – M.S.
An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and...
An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and are looking to further their careers with a graduate program focused on curriculum development and design.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 12 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program.
Concepts included in this program:
- Differentiated Instruction
- Curriculum and Instruction Design
- Educational Research
- Assessment
Help schools create engaging, meaningful, and memorable learning experiences to improve learning outcomes for all students with this M.S. degree.
Endorsement Programs
Education
English Language Learning (PreK–12) Endorsement
An online endorsement program for currently licensed school teachers who...
An online endorsement program for currently licensed school teachers who desire to be licensed to teach in ELL or ESL settings.
Become highly qualified in ELL or ESL, increase your career opportunities, earn re-licensure points, and possibly become eligible for lane changes leading to increased salary.
- Time: 62% of students finish within 13 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
This program is for current teachers who are looking to earn an English Learning Language (ELL) or an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Assessment Theory and Practice
- Language Production, Theory and Acquisition
- Instruction Planning and Implementation
- Theories of Second Language Acquisition
Advance your teaching career and help ensure language barriers don't become a barrier to learning.
Mentor Guidance
Discover how mentor guidance and student communities can help you be prepared for these in-person experiences.
